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
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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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