Short and sweet this morning. Think about this. Do you have the eyes of Jesus? Do you see the broken hearted, the poor, the sick, and the lost? I guess a better question is do you minister to these folks. Jesus did and he expects his followers too also. The Bible says " Be doers of the word not just hearers." Think about this today and watch this video I believe it will speak to your heart!
God bless...Tom
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=ac3fa61bace4419b5a55
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Show some mercy!
James is so filled with good lessons. Here is another! Here is the verse:
James 2:13
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Take time to read this three or four times and really soak it in. First of all if I recall correctly from the Word of God we are not to judge others. But it seems we do that often anyway. If we do judge others what does it say? We must show mercy. You may be thinking well so and so doesn't deserve mercy. Well my friend niether do we but our merciful God gives it to us anyway through His Son Jesus Christ. I know we want to say "but" and then give our reasoning. There are no reasons good enough...NONE! If we look at the sins we have commited against God and see day in and day out the mercy God showers upon us it should be easy for us to see the mercy we give to others is really not much in comparison to Him! The latter part of this verse shows us where victory is in showing mercy instead of judgement. So how is your mercy? We have received plenty let's make sure we are giving plenty!
Have a great day!
Tom
James 2:13
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Take time to read this three or four times and really soak it in. First of all if I recall correctly from the Word of God we are not to judge others. But it seems we do that often anyway. If we do judge others what does it say? We must show mercy. You may be thinking well so and so doesn't deserve mercy. Well my friend niether do we but our merciful God gives it to us anyway through His Son Jesus Christ. I know we want to say "but" and then give our reasoning. There are no reasons good enough...NONE! If we look at the sins we have commited against God and see day in and day out the mercy God showers upon us it should be easy for us to see the mercy we give to others is really not much in comparison to Him! The latter part of this verse shows us where victory is in showing mercy instead of judgement. So how is your mercy? We have received plenty let's make sure we are giving plenty!
Have a great day!
Tom
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Guilty!!!
Here is todays verse:
James 2:10
10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
This is a very good witnessing verse. It is so very simple. We need to grasp the point of it. We can be very good people. Matter of fact we may live up to most of the Word of God. But!!! If we stumble in one point we are guilty of all. We are sinners plain and simple. Do you know anybody who is sinless? I don't except one Jesus Christ. Matter of fact the majority of us sin daily. A thought, an unkind word, acting on our sin in anger, gossip, and list goes on and on! The good news of all this is we have One who paid for our sin on the cross. Jesus the sinless One came to this eath to be sacrificed on our behalf. Thank you Jesus, Mighty King, Prince of peace, Glorious One. Oh how we need to be shouting from the roof tops the name of Jesus. Folks don't let the world keep you silent. More than ever we need to stand for what we believe!!
We are guilty but when we call upon the name of Jesus we are FREE!!!
Tell someone about Jesus today!
Tom
James 2:10
10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
This is a very good witnessing verse. It is so very simple. We need to grasp the point of it. We can be very good people. Matter of fact we may live up to most of the Word of God. But!!! If we stumble in one point we are guilty of all. We are sinners plain and simple. Do you know anybody who is sinless? I don't except one Jesus Christ. Matter of fact the majority of us sin daily. A thought, an unkind word, acting on our sin in anger, gossip, and list goes on and on! The good news of all this is we have One who paid for our sin on the cross. Jesus the sinless One came to this eath to be sacrificed on our behalf. Thank you Jesus, Mighty King, Prince of peace, Glorious One. Oh how we need to be shouting from the roof tops the name of Jesus. Folks don't let the world keep you silent. More than ever we need to stand for what we believe!!
We are guilty but when we call upon the name of Jesus we are FREE!!!
Tell someone about Jesus today!
Tom
Monday, October 26, 2009
Royal law.
Good Monday moring to everyone. I hope you had a blessed weekend and found time to praise the living God. Here is today's verse:
James 2:8
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
This verse is so very simple but yet so very hard. Jesus told us out of His own mouth that this is the second greatest commandment with loving God with everything we have as the first. I was listening to a Christian radio station the other day and a woman called in and this was her question "How can we love others as ourselves when others are so hard to get along with?" There is a whole lot of truth to that isn't there? We pick those folks we get along with best to be our friends and we try to avoid those we don't get along with very well. According to James here though we fullfill the royal law by loving our neighbor as ourselves. Why is it a royal law? Because our King said it! Plain and simple. One of the problems I see today though is their are many people who really don't love themselves! That is where a relationship with Jesus comes in. When you have that relationship you know how much Jesus values you and others. He loves you so much He died for you! Now that proves His love. And because of that fact we should love our neighbors as ourselves because He died for them just as much as He died for you! I like the last part of verse 8 "you do well". It sounds as almost God knows some folks are hard to love! But it is a command from our Lord and this Kingdom is not a democracy it is a Monoarchy. I don't know about you but I am gonna follow my King!
Tell or show someone you love them today...it just may change their life!
Tom
James 2:8
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
This verse is so very simple but yet so very hard. Jesus told us out of His own mouth that this is the second greatest commandment with loving God with everything we have as the first. I was listening to a Christian radio station the other day and a woman called in and this was her question "How can we love others as ourselves when others are so hard to get along with?" There is a whole lot of truth to that isn't there? We pick those folks we get along with best to be our friends and we try to avoid those we don't get along with very well. According to James here though we fullfill the royal law by loving our neighbor as ourselves. Why is it a royal law? Because our King said it! Plain and simple. One of the problems I see today though is their are many people who really don't love themselves! That is where a relationship with Jesus comes in. When you have that relationship you know how much Jesus values you and others. He loves you so much He died for you! Now that proves His love. And because of that fact we should love our neighbors as ourselves because He died for them just as much as He died for you! I like the last part of verse 8 "you do well". It sounds as almost God knows some folks are hard to love! But it is a command from our Lord and this Kingdom is not a democracy it is a Monoarchy. I don't know about you but I am gonna follow my King!
Tell or show someone you love them today...it just may change their life!
Tom
Friday, October 23, 2009
God uses the poor!
Here are today's verses...very interesting:
James 2:5-7
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
Verse 5 tells us that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. Think about how many stories int he Bible where God used those who were not in authority positions to do His work. You have to search to find those who are in authority that God did use! I think that speaks volumes to us today. If the weak and poor are valuable to God then they should be valuable to us. The weak and the poor may be us! If that is the case we need to recognize that God wants to use us in His work. But we must love Him and be available to be used. Verse 6 goes on to tell us that the rich are selfish and drag folks to court although now days there are many poor who try to drag others to court also to try and get rich many times unjustly. The rich drag folks to court just to keep their oppresive hand beating down the poor. The rich it says in verse 7 even blaspheme the name of Jesus in which we are called. Their day is coming one day.
So how does this speak to us this morning. Well if you are the poor keep your head up. God loves you and wants to use and will use you if you love Him and make yourself available to Him. Read His Word and find out how he generally uses those who are not rich in service to Him. If you are rich make sure you are treating those who are less fortunate than you right. God uses the rich in His kingdom too and wants to use you. But God also warned in His word that is is very hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God because of all the temptation that having money brings. God said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God...so make sure you take this warning to heart!
God wants to use us all and for all to love Him and each other!
Tom
James 2:5-7
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
Verse 5 tells us that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. Think about how many stories int he Bible where God used those who were not in authority positions to do His work. You have to search to find those who are in authority that God did use! I think that speaks volumes to us today. If the weak and poor are valuable to God then they should be valuable to us. The weak and the poor may be us! If that is the case we need to recognize that God wants to use us in His work. But we must love Him and be available to be used. Verse 6 goes on to tell us that the rich are selfish and drag folks to court although now days there are many poor who try to drag others to court also to try and get rich many times unjustly. The rich drag folks to court just to keep their oppresive hand beating down the poor. The rich it says in verse 7 even blaspheme the name of Jesus in which we are called. Their day is coming one day.
So how does this speak to us this morning. Well if you are the poor keep your head up. God loves you and wants to use and will use you if you love Him and make yourself available to Him. Read His Word and find out how he generally uses those who are not rich in service to Him. If you are rich make sure you are treating those who are less fortunate than you right. God uses the rich in His kingdom too and wants to use you. But God also warned in His word that is is very hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God because of all the temptation that having money brings. God said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God...so make sure you take this warning to heart!
God wants to use us all and for all to love Him and each other!
Tom
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Are we partial?
I am afraid the modern church may be guilty of this! Read today's verses carefully and evaluate your own church.
James 2:1-4
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Now I really want you to think about this situation. Put it in today's language. If a family came in your church dressed nice and looked like your all American family how many folks would run to greet them and make them feel welcome??? Now on the other hand if a family came in and smelled and were not dressed very well....how many folks would run to greet them and make them feel welcome? Be honest. In many churches today people would stare and ask each other why are they here. And in many cases that church will never see that family again because they were well aware of the fact that they were not welcome. Look what the latter part of this verse says if we act with partiality...we have become judges with evil thoughts! WOW stop and think about that. We are not to be judges! That is the job of our Lord Jesus Christ when we meet Him face to face. When I think about this situation it breaks my heart that so many people are hurt by the church. This should not be so. ALL are welcome in the house of the Lord. So this morning let us make sure this is not taking place in our church and if it is not let us be in prayer for other churches...our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are loving others not judging others!
God bless...and tell someone you love them today!
Tom
James 2:1-4
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Now I really want you to think about this situation. Put it in today's language. If a family came in your church dressed nice and looked like your all American family how many folks would run to greet them and make them feel welcome??? Now on the other hand if a family came in and smelled and were not dressed very well....how many folks would run to greet them and make them feel welcome? Be honest. In many churches today people would stare and ask each other why are they here. And in many cases that church will never see that family again because they were well aware of the fact that they were not welcome. Look what the latter part of this verse says if we act with partiality...we have become judges with evil thoughts! WOW stop and think about that. We are not to be judges! That is the job of our Lord Jesus Christ when we meet Him face to face. When I think about this situation it breaks my heart that so many people are hurt by the church. This should not be so. ALL are welcome in the house of the Lord. So this morning let us make sure this is not taking place in our church and if it is not let us be in prayer for other churches...our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are loving others not judging others!
God bless...and tell someone you love them today!
Tom
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Are we pure?
I love the book of James. It will beat you over the head but also keeps you on the right path if you will heed its teachings. Are you ready? Here we go for today's lesson!
James 1:27
27 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.
There are three points in this one verse to look at. Pure religion before God...wow just think about that for a moment before we jump into the points. I hope that is what we all desire before our God. Pretty deep when you think about it. Then we look at our first point....visit orphans. So I must ask my self when is the last time I have visited an orphan? I could make excuses and say well there arn't any around my area or I don't have time or whatever but the point is clear we are to visit orphans. There are plenty of orphan homes around if we want to find them. Why do you think it is important to visit orphans. I think it is very simple. To let them know they are loved and important and who better than us to share the love of God with them. The second point is visit widows. They are many times lonely and need help around their house. If they are some sort of home then they love getting visits. If you have ever went visiting a widower and seen their face light up when you take time to sit down and visit then their is no better explanation than that. When we visit we bless them but it has been my expirience that I am the one who receives the blessing!!! The verse says "in thier trouble". When you are an orphan or a widow lonlines is a trouble placed upon them and it is our job to help with that burden! The third point is keep yourslef unspotted from the wordl!!! Hmmm How do we do that? By obeying the Word of God plain and simple. His book is pretty clear on how to keep our lives lined up with what He desires from us. So read the Bible. If you haven't read the entire Bible I challenge you to do so. The most important book ever written why don't we know it better than we do???
So are you pure this morning? Look at thos e three points and then answer the question!
Pray for someone today!
Tom
James 1:27
27 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.
There are three points in this one verse to look at. Pure religion before God...wow just think about that for a moment before we jump into the points. I hope that is what we all desire before our God. Pretty deep when you think about it. Then we look at our first point....visit orphans. So I must ask my self when is the last time I have visited an orphan? I could make excuses and say well there arn't any around my area or I don't have time or whatever but the point is clear we are to visit orphans. There are plenty of orphan homes around if we want to find them. Why do you think it is important to visit orphans. I think it is very simple. To let them know they are loved and important and who better than us to share the love of God with them. The second point is visit widows. They are many times lonely and need help around their house. If they are some sort of home then they love getting visits. If you have ever went visiting a widower and seen their face light up when you take time to sit down and visit then their is no better explanation than that. When we visit we bless them but it has been my expirience that I am the one who receives the blessing!!! The verse says "in thier trouble". When you are an orphan or a widow lonlines is a trouble placed upon them and it is our job to help with that burden! The third point is keep yourslef unspotted from the wordl!!! Hmmm How do we do that? By obeying the Word of God plain and simple. His book is pretty clear on how to keep our lives lined up with what He desires from us. So read the Bible. If you haven't read the entire Bible I challenge you to do so. The most important book ever written why don't we know it better than we do???
So are you pure this morning? Look at thos e three points and then answer the question!
Pray for someone today!
Tom
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hold onto that tongue!
Wow this verse is one for most all of us to put into action in our daily life! Here it is:
James 1:26
26 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.
Here is the question for us this morning. How many of us think we are pretty godly folks but we can not control what comes out of our mouths? We live in a society today where if you disagree with something then your are to voice your opinion and voice it strongly. It don't matter who you step all over just get your point across!! Well acording to what I read here, our faith is not of much use if we can not control our tongue. Matter of fact according to this verse it says if we can't our faith is useless!!! Let me give you an example that I have seen played out many times. The old ballpark. I have seen folks completly lose it over a bad call (or sometimes the call was right they just didn't like it) or their child drops a ball and they gt all over the child. Wow has that person just ruined his their witness and their religion at that point it is useless! Now we could go on and on with examples but I am pretty sure you can think of your own. Jesus is our example and he always spoke with love and compassion.
Self control is what our Lord expects from us...lets us make sure we are practicing that by controling our mouths!
James 1:26
26 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.
Here is the question for us this morning. How many of us think we are pretty godly folks but we can not control what comes out of our mouths? We live in a society today where if you disagree with something then your are to voice your opinion and voice it strongly. It don't matter who you step all over just get your point across!! Well acording to what I read here, our faith is not of much use if we can not control our tongue. Matter of fact according to this verse it says if we can't our faith is useless!!! Let me give you an example that I have seen played out many times. The old ballpark. I have seen folks completly lose it over a bad call (or sometimes the call was right they just didn't like it) or their child drops a ball and they gt all over the child. Wow has that person just ruined his their witness and their religion at that point it is useless! Now we could go on and on with examples but I am pretty sure you can think of your own. Jesus is our example and he always spoke with love and compassion.
Self control is what our Lord expects from us...lets us make sure we are practicing that by controling our mouths!
Take a look in the mirror!
Some more good words from the book of James!
James 1:23-25
23 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; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 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.
If you are like me....as I get older I kinda like to avoid the mirror. I can see age creeping up on me. The wrinkles are getting more and more!!! This is a good Word and a great promise from James this morning. Remember the thought we are to be doers not just hearers of the Word of God. When we look in the mirror of our life what do you see? Do you see a person of God who is following as closely as they can to the Word of God or do you see some one who hears the Word but chooses to do as they please reguardless of what the Bible says. I am afraid the statistics say we have churches full of folks who hear but do not do. I have been reading a book by George Barna the Christian statistic man and his numbers back this up. When we look as verse 25 it says he who looks into the perfect law of liberty which means perfect law of freedom and we do what it says...it means we are a doer!!! For example how can we hear the Word say do not gossip but as soon as we leave church we talk about half the congregation??? We at that point have forgotten what kind of man/woman we are! We are suppose to be Christ like and tearing people down is not what Jesus was about...He was about loving others! It is work being a Christian but look what verse 25 says...this one(the one who does the work) will be blessed in what he does!!! Wow! Do we deserve a blessing for doing God's word...NO but that is the kinda God we serve. He blesses us for our faithfulness to Him. Thank you Jesus. I can tell you from first hand expirience doing the word of God brings blessings that are undescribable. Test the waters for yourself and tell me I am wrong I double dog dare you!
So take a look in the mirror today....what do you see??? A doer or a hearer?
Tom
James 1:23-25
23 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; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 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.
If you are like me....as I get older I kinda like to avoid the mirror. I can see age creeping up on me. The wrinkles are getting more and more!!! This is a good Word and a great promise from James this morning. Remember the thought we are to be doers not just hearers of the Word of God. When we look in the mirror of our life what do you see? Do you see a person of God who is following as closely as they can to the Word of God or do you see some one who hears the Word but chooses to do as they please reguardless of what the Bible says. I am afraid the statistics say we have churches full of folks who hear but do not do. I have been reading a book by George Barna the Christian statistic man and his numbers back this up. When we look as verse 25 it says he who looks into the perfect law of liberty which means perfect law of freedom and we do what it says...it means we are a doer!!! For example how can we hear the Word say do not gossip but as soon as we leave church we talk about half the congregation??? We at that point have forgotten what kind of man/woman we are! We are suppose to be Christ like and tearing people down is not what Jesus was about...He was about loving others! It is work being a Christian but look what verse 25 says...this one(the one who does the work) will be blessed in what he does!!! Wow! Do we deserve a blessing for doing God's word...NO but that is the kinda God we serve. He blesses us for our faithfulness to Him. Thank you Jesus. I can tell you from first hand expirience doing the word of God brings blessings that are undescribable. Test the waters for yourself and tell me I am wrong I double dog dare you!
So take a look in the mirror today....what do you see??? A doer or a hearer?
Tom
Friday, October 16, 2009
Do the Word
James 1:22 "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
When the world is not doing the word of God that is no big suprise and why should they when Jesus has not transformed their lives. But when those who claim they are born again, blood bought Christians fail to obey and do the Word of God we are in serious trouble. Guess what we are in big trouble! Notice I said above claim they are Christians. This is where the problem lies in my opinion. There are many folks today in church and out that claim they are Christians. If one's life has not been transformed by accepting Christ and there is very little effort to do the Word of God I believe it is clear that they have never received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Look at what the above verse says if we hear only and do not do we are deceiving ourselves!!! I am amazed at how many folks will argue Bible points but have never read the entire Bible and they do not obey the teachings of Christ. Over 80% of the USA claim they are Christians....I believe the proof is in the pudding....does our nation live like the Word teaches??? Let's ask ourselves this morning are we doers or just hearers???
Thank you Jesus for your Word the Bible! Help us to do your Word not just talk about it and pretend we are yours!
Tom
When the world is not doing the word of God that is no big suprise and why should they when Jesus has not transformed their lives. But when those who claim they are born again, blood bought Christians fail to obey and do the Word of God we are in serious trouble. Guess what we are in big trouble! Notice I said above claim they are Christians. This is where the problem lies in my opinion. There are many folks today in church and out that claim they are Christians. If one's life has not been transformed by accepting Christ and there is very little effort to do the Word of God I believe it is clear that they have never received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Look at what the above verse says if we hear only and do not do we are deceiving ourselves!!! I am amazed at how many folks will argue Bible points but have never read the entire Bible and they do not obey the teachings of Christ. Over 80% of the USA claim they are Christians....I believe the proof is in the pudding....does our nation live like the Word teaches??? Let's ask ourselves this morning are we doers or just hearers???
Thank you Jesus for your Word the Bible! Help us to do your Word not just talk about it and pretend we are yours!
Tom
Thursday, October 15, 2009
What if ???
As you read this verse this morning keep in mind the thought what if.....
James 1:21
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Here is my thought on the what if.......what if as Christians we actually got rid of all flithines and wickedness in our lives??? Could it possibly be that the reason we as Christians are not reaching more people with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ is because we are filthy and full of wickedness ourselves and so our light is not shining bright for Jesus? Before you answere that think about our lifestyles. The things we watch....movies and television. Do you watch things that God's word tells us to stay away from? It amazes me how many folks at church consistantly watch movies that glorify sin and think this is ok? Many even allow their kids to watch the garbage!!! Next what do you read? Are you putting whole- some Godly thoughts into your head or are you putting the smut and gossip the magazine stands sell? What do you listen to? Is it glorifingto God or is it glorifing sin...like sitting at the bar getting drunk thinking about cheating on your wife....I think you get the point. If you have kids you might want to check out their music casue what I just gave as an example may be mild!!! We as Christians are right in the middle of wickedness with the world and this should not be so! It says something about our walk with God because He says straight out TO BE DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD!!! Are we? Are you?
God tells us how to get out of the world! Get into His Word! If you don't know the word than you don't know how to get out of worldy wickedness...plain and simple. Accepting God's word and applying it to ur lives shows we are in Christ Jesus thus our souls are saved. Thank you Jesus for the way to everlasting life!
What if Christians lived the way Jesus told us too? This world would be a different place! What if....ask youself this morning!
Tom
James 1:21
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Here is my thought on the what if.......what if as Christians we actually got rid of all flithines and wickedness in our lives??? Could it possibly be that the reason we as Christians are not reaching more people with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ is because we are filthy and full of wickedness ourselves and so our light is not shining bright for Jesus? Before you answere that think about our lifestyles. The things we watch....movies and television. Do you watch things that God's word tells us to stay away from? It amazes me how many folks at church consistantly watch movies that glorify sin and think this is ok? Many even allow their kids to watch the garbage!!! Next what do you read? Are you putting whole- some Godly thoughts into your head or are you putting the smut and gossip the magazine stands sell? What do you listen to? Is it glorifingto God or is it glorifing sin...like sitting at the bar getting drunk thinking about cheating on your wife....I think you get the point. If you have kids you might want to check out their music casue what I just gave as an example may be mild!!! We as Christians are right in the middle of wickedness with the world and this should not be so! It says something about our walk with God because He says straight out TO BE DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD!!! Are we? Are you?
God tells us how to get out of the world! Get into His Word! If you don't know the word than you don't know how to get out of worldy wickedness...plain and simple. Accepting God's word and applying it to ur lives shows we are in Christ Jesus thus our souls are saved. Thank you Jesus for the way to everlasting life!
What if Christians lived the way Jesus told us too? This world would be a different place! What if....ask youself this morning!
Tom
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Slow to speak!
This lesson sure has spoke to me over the years. Here are the verses:
James 1:19-20
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Ahhh theses verses are very practical for the Christian. I can not count how many times over the years I have failed in these areas and had to pay the consequences for what I had done. What about you? The first thing said here in verse 19 is swift to hear. In other words quick to hear. My wife often tells me I don't listen!! How many times are we distracted by things that are not important like the t.v. from listening to those that are important like our wife and kids? Folks this should not be so. We can take it even deeper and ask our selves are we swift to hear God or do we let the ole' devil distract us with worldly things. We must concentrate on listening to those things that are most important! The second part of verse 19 says slow to speak. If many of us would take this to heart we would keep ourselves out of alot of turmoil in our lives. How many times in our lives have we spoken quickly only to regret what we have said??? If we would think before we speak we would avoid this problem. Slow to wrath is next or slow to anger. This takes much effort for many. Some people are easy going and getting angry takes a long time to build up. For others though they can fly off the handle at the drop of a hat. God warns us here if we have that problem. I have found over the years that one who gets angry easily makes bad decisions most of the time in their anger. If we can keep ourselves under control and let God guide us through the situation things turn out much better! God gives us the answere why we should keep ourselves under control in all of these areas... listening, speaking, and anger....they all go together. If we keep all of them under control we can produce the righteousness God desires from us....if we fail to listen, or speak when we shouldn't, or get angry easily we don't produce the righteousness that God desires in His children.
Doing these verses are not easy but when you are changed by the blood of Christ they are doable and should be a part of the Christians life!
Tom
James 1:19-20
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Ahhh theses verses are very practical for the Christian. I can not count how many times over the years I have failed in these areas and had to pay the consequences for what I had done. What about you? The first thing said here in verse 19 is swift to hear. In other words quick to hear. My wife often tells me I don't listen!! How many times are we distracted by things that are not important like the t.v. from listening to those that are important like our wife and kids? Folks this should not be so. We can take it even deeper and ask our selves are we swift to hear God or do we let the ole' devil distract us with worldly things. We must concentrate on listening to those things that are most important! The second part of verse 19 says slow to speak. If many of us would take this to heart we would keep ourselves out of alot of turmoil in our lives. How many times in our lives have we spoken quickly only to regret what we have said??? If we would think before we speak we would avoid this problem. Slow to wrath is next or slow to anger. This takes much effort for many. Some people are easy going and getting angry takes a long time to build up. For others though they can fly off the handle at the drop of a hat. God warns us here if we have that problem. I have found over the years that one who gets angry easily makes bad decisions most of the time in their anger. If we can keep ourselves under control and let God guide us through the situation things turn out much better! God gives us the answere why we should keep ourselves under control in all of these areas... listening, speaking, and anger....they all go together. If we keep all of them under control we can produce the righteousness God desires from us....if we fail to listen, or speak when we shouldn't, or get angry easily we don't produce the righteousness that God desires in His children.
Doing these verses are not easy but when you are changed by the blood of Christ they are doable and should be a part of the Christians life!
Tom
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
All blessings come from God!
James 1:17-18
17 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. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
These verses are something to give praise to the Father about this morning. All good things come from God very simple to understand in verse 17. How many times do we let the blessings of God flow through us without giving thanks or praise to God. Every day all day long and with each breath God blesses us with we should be pouring out the praises to the one who is so giving...way more than we deserve. Our children, our homes, our money, our churches, our friends, and the list goes on and on. I wrote our but really all these things are God's he just lets us borrow them! I like to think of the perfect gift he has given us...Jesus Christ. If God never blessed us with anything else other than that perfect gift, his Son, that gift should be more than sufficient to get us through each day...thank you God! I also like the words "whom there is no variation or shadow of turning". God does not waver, He does not move to the right or to the left, He is the same everyday. A holy, Righteous, and Loving God. Think about that for a few moments. God does not move...we move from Him! In verse 18 it tells us God made us by His own word which is truth by His own will! Wow God made us because He wanted to! So He could love us! Stop and ponder that for a while! Why did God make us? So we could be a first amoung his creation. To worship Him! We are created in His image remember that.....nothing else is...that should tell us something right there!
God has blessed beyond belief...praise Him for that and never take it for granted!
Tom
17 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. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
These verses are something to give praise to the Father about this morning. All good things come from God very simple to understand in verse 17. How many times do we let the blessings of God flow through us without giving thanks or praise to God. Every day all day long and with each breath God blesses us with we should be pouring out the praises to the one who is so giving...way more than we deserve. Our children, our homes, our money, our churches, our friends, and the list goes on and on. I wrote our but really all these things are God's he just lets us borrow them! I like to think of the perfect gift he has given us...Jesus Christ. If God never blessed us with anything else other than that perfect gift, his Son, that gift should be more than sufficient to get us through each day...thank you God! I also like the words "whom there is no variation or shadow of turning". God does not waver, He does not move to the right or to the left, He is the same everyday. A holy, Righteous, and Loving God. Think about that for a few moments. God does not move...we move from Him! In verse 18 it tells us God made us by His own word which is truth by His own will! Wow God made us because He wanted to! So He could love us! Stop and ponder that for a while! Why did God make us? So we could be a first amoung his creation. To worship Him! We are created in His image remember that.....nothing else is...that should tell us something right there!
God has blessed beyond belief...praise Him for that and never take it for granted!
Tom
Monday, October 12, 2009
It is my own fault!
Good morning. I have been out of town and it is hard to keep borrowing someones computer to write a devotion so I got behind. Sorry! Anyway I am back. This mornings devotion makes us realize some things about ourselves! Here are the verses:
James 1:14-16
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
These verses start off telling us how we are tempted. We are drawn by our OWN desires! Not by somebody elses but our own. Notice the temptation is not sin. It is when we give in to that desire. In others words when we do what ever that temptation is it becomes sin. I can only speak fo myself here but I cannot count how many times when a temptation is before me that God through the Holy Spirit warns me that this is sin. This is when it becomes my choice to sin or not to sin! Thank you God for the Holy Sprirt...help my decision making be in line with your word. I read some where an interesting thought. In verse 15 it talks of dersire being concieved then birthing sin. Who is the father of that sin??? Satan for he is the father of all lies and sin. Be very careful and do not let satan birth that sin into your life! Verse 15 goes onto say that sin leads to death both spiritually and physically. The only way to overcome that death is through the shed blood of Jesus. The in verse 16 James warns us to not be dedeived. Be on the watch for the lies of sin. And remember satan tempts but when we give in it is our own fault! Pray for one another and stay strong against the evil one!
Have a great week!
Tom
James 1:14-16
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
These verses start off telling us how we are tempted. We are drawn by our OWN desires! Not by somebody elses but our own. Notice the temptation is not sin. It is when we give in to that desire. In others words when we do what ever that temptation is it becomes sin. I can only speak fo myself here but I cannot count how many times when a temptation is before me that God through the Holy Spirit warns me that this is sin. This is when it becomes my choice to sin or not to sin! Thank you God for the Holy Sprirt...help my decision making be in line with your word. I read some where an interesting thought. In verse 15 it talks of dersire being concieved then birthing sin. Who is the father of that sin??? Satan for he is the father of all lies and sin. Be very careful and do not let satan birth that sin into your life! Verse 15 goes onto say that sin leads to death both spiritually and physically. The only way to overcome that death is through the shed blood of Jesus. The in verse 16 James warns us to not be dedeived. Be on the watch for the lies of sin. And remember satan tempts but when we give in it is our own fault! Pray for one another and stay strong against the evil one!
Have a great week!
Tom
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tempted??? By who?Share
This something to chew on for a while today!
James 1:13
13 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.
There is important lesson here for us to grasp. God does not tempt us with evil. God has nothing to do with evil for He is Holy and Just. When temptation comes our way it is from the devil. Be sure you understand that. Every single day satan tempts us with various things. Usually it is in areas we are weak so as followers of Christ we must be on guard at all times. God gives us the strength to endure thses temptations so we are without excuse.
So remember we are tempted by the evil one not God!
Pray for someone who is lost today!
Tom
James 1:13
13 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.
There is important lesson here for us to grasp. God does not tempt us with evil. God has nothing to do with evil for He is Holy and Just. When temptation comes our way it is from the devil. Be sure you understand that. Every single day satan tempts us with various things. Usually it is in areas we are weak so as followers of Christ we must be on guard at all times. God gives us the strength to endure thses temptations so we are without excuse.
So remember we are tempted by the evil one not God!
Pray for someone who is lost today!
Tom
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Enduring pays off!!
I am posting Monday's devotion on Sunday night as I am headed for Michigam in the morning to see some family and huint some deer. This verse is very important to grasp. Here it is:
James 1:12
12 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
Life is so hard isn't it? The devil is trying his best to make you stumble every day. I want to encourage you to endure through all the stumbling blocks satan throws out before you. God gives you all the strength you need to make it. When we fail we can not blame it on God it is all on our shoulders because God has given us all we need not to sin. This verse can say many different things when looked at but I want us to remember this one thing from it right now. God says when we endure temptation and when we are approved we will recieve the crown of life which God promises to those who love Him. There is one temptation one had better not fail...that temptation is not to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life. That is the only way one can be approved by God...that is what the Bbile clearly teaches. The consequences of putting Jesus off are extreme. An eternity in hell...I don't think it gets any more extreme than that. But when we have been approved by receiving Jesus we are given the crown of life...which is an eternity in heaven. WOW Don't miss out on that! God promises us that crown if we love Him and if we truly love Him we love His Son who dies on the cross for our sins! Thank you Jesus!
So make sure you endure the ultimate temptation....to deny Christ....it will pay more than any Powerball, job, or 401k and that is a promise!
Tom
James 1:12
12 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
Life is so hard isn't it? The devil is trying his best to make you stumble every day. I want to encourage you to endure through all the stumbling blocks satan throws out before you. God gives you all the strength you need to make it. When we fail we can not blame it on God it is all on our shoulders because God has given us all we need not to sin. This verse can say many different things when looked at but I want us to remember this one thing from it right now. God says when we endure temptation and when we are approved we will recieve the crown of life which God promises to those who love Him. There is one temptation one had better not fail...that temptation is not to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life. That is the only way one can be approved by God...that is what the Bbile clearly teaches. The consequences of putting Jesus off are extreme. An eternity in hell...I don't think it gets any more extreme than that. But when we have been approved by receiving Jesus we are given the crown of life...which is an eternity in heaven. WOW Don't miss out on that! God promises us that crown if we love Him and if we truly love Him we love His Son who dies on the cross for our sins! Thank you Jesus!
So make sure you endure the ultimate temptation....to deny Christ....it will pay more than any Powerball, job, or 401k and that is a promise!
Tom
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Need some wisdom?
I don't know about you but I know I need some wisdom everyday!!! Read these verses for today:
James 1:5-6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
I like how verse 5 starts out..."if any of you lacks wisdom"....well from what I see in today's world all of us need some wisdom. The verse goes on to say where we get wisdom...God!!! I want us to grasp this. We don't go to Oprah or Dr.Phil or any other man for true wisdom. It comes from God...please understand this. I believe this is why our world is in the shape it is in. We have put to much confidence in man instead of the One who has all the answers....God! Verse 5 goes on to say when we ask, God gives wisdom out liberally which means in large amounts...thank you God! He also gives as verse 5 says without reproach which means without blame. My brothers and sisters think about that for a moment. The only way we can be without blame before God this morning is through believing in his son Jesus who shed His blood on the cross for our sins. Thank you, thank you Jesus!! God goes on to tell us when we ask for wisdom it will be given to us. That just blows my mind that God gives it to us...his rebellous children. There is a but here though. Look in verse 6...we must ask in faith....in other words believing in God and His son Jesus. If we don't believe then we might as well not ask for wisdon because it will not be given. When we doubt the verse goes on to tell us what we are like....a wave tossed around like the wind. Can you picture that? I can. Picture a sea with a storm in it. The waves are tossed in every direction, but with true faith picture the sea that was calmed by Jesus....still and calm....so calm it is like a mirror. Wow what a mighty God we serve! Who loves us so much that all we have to do is ask for wisdom and it is given to those who believe!!
So if you want some wisdom come to the King this morning and believe! He will give you more than you can handle!
Have a great day!
Tom
James 1:5-6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
I like how verse 5 starts out..."if any of you lacks wisdom"....well from what I see in today's world all of us need some wisdom. The verse goes on to say where we get wisdom...God!!! I want us to grasp this. We don't go to Oprah or Dr.Phil or any other man for true wisdom. It comes from God...please understand this. I believe this is why our world is in the shape it is in. We have put to much confidence in man instead of the One who has all the answers....God! Verse 5 goes on to say when we ask, God gives wisdom out liberally which means in large amounts...thank you God! He also gives as verse 5 says without reproach which means without blame. My brothers and sisters think about that for a moment. The only way we can be without blame before God this morning is through believing in his son Jesus who shed His blood on the cross for our sins. Thank you, thank you Jesus!! God goes on to tell us when we ask for wisdom it will be given to us. That just blows my mind that God gives it to us...his rebellous children. There is a but here though. Look in verse 6...we must ask in faith....in other words believing in God and His son Jesus. If we don't believe then we might as well not ask for wisdon because it will not be given. When we doubt the verse goes on to tell us what we are like....a wave tossed around like the wind. Can you picture that? I can. Picture a sea with a storm in it. The waves are tossed in every direction, but with true faith picture the sea that was calmed by Jesus....still and calm....so calm it is like a mirror. Wow what a mighty God we serve! Who loves us so much that all we have to do is ask for wisdom and it is given to those who believe!!
So if you want some wisdom come to the King this morning and believe! He will give you more than you can handle!
Have a great day!
Tom
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