There are 2 things that I would love to have more of: faith and patience. According to James -- the key to that is tests and hardships (which, FYI -- I'm not real keep on having more of) But that IS the path. Just as in school -- there are hurdles of tests, studying, experiments, memorization to reach the goal of learning - not fun, but necessary. God has HIS school too:)
The key to God giving lavishly (according to 1:6) is our focus: ourselves or a commitment to God.
I love this right time statement: "at the right time, he'll know God's sweet approval and will be crowned with life"
Lot of tongue lashing going on in James -- controlling the tongue and the thoughts behind the tongue is Spirit work; Lord, baptize me with your Holy Spirit today (sermon key from this week)
and 1:27 reminds us that real religion is about caring for people around us; all people - everyone, even the ones that wear us out, annoy us, frustrate us, bully us, help us -- I've got such a long long way to go on the path He's set out for me!
Loved the commenters thoughts on the difference between Paul's faith lessons and James works lessons. I'm trying to keep this statement in my mind: "Paul describes the root of salvation; a person is saved by God's grace received through faith. James is explaining the fruit of salvation; saving faith is a faith that works.
Oh what slaps upside my head in James. Some of the very conversations God and I have had this week. I also noticed that this school of hard knocks that produces patience doesn't promise a job at the completion of it. There's not a promise of anything but finishing. Granted, salvation is priceless, but sometimes we think it's gotta be something big or I'm not committing to it. Sounds to me like James is talking about doing what we are expected to do as followers of Jesus. Live like Him, be an example, point people to Him not gathering support for ourselves and our agendas.
ReplyDeleteThat's what made the apostle's and those listed in the hall of faith stand out. They daily surrendered that "all about me" attitude until it wasn't an issue anymore. Each day was truly all about Him and where does He want to lead me today? I've got a long way to go in this for sure.
I really was refreshed by the fact that God can't be tempted. So awesome to be in love with Someone Who is not tripped up by selfishness like I am. So nice to have a strong Constant in my ocean of life to depend on. Learning to lean on Someone like this is a great relief. Now I need to realize that He's there even in my discomfort.
So, so much here. Didn't even make it to 3 as my mind is already in many twists as I let 1 and 2 sink in.
"You just need to know with every fiber of your being that the Eternal, and no one else, is God up in heaven and down here on earth" This sounds like the very heart of faith to me:) O -- and James said, that faith is developed by hard times - sooo it's those heart times that builds our fiber (hmmmm -- like exercise I guess)
ReplyDelete"He wants you to have it (the ground He's giving you) forever. For them this was Canaan; but for us ... a better land, whose builder and maker is God!
5:7 "My presence is enough"
5:10 "those who obey My commands and truly love Me will receive My loyal love endlessly" obedience is the fruit of love - can't have one without the other; and then the promise of His loyal love - - - I like those 2 words put together; make that 3 words: loyal love endlessly!!
Lot in here about repeating the laws to your children. They didn't have books like we have. But . . . I remember repeating the big 10 over and over to my kids as we drove here and there; they all had them memorized b4 they went to school. I was thinking how the Sabbath was for the people in your household and thinking that once your children are out on their own - - it is no longer for you to have on your shoulders; they have to choose. Kindof like Joshua said; "as for me and my house" maybe he had kids that weren't at home and he couldn't choose for them:) I believe this is true - but it's nice to find reference to it Biblically.
I read some chapters I had not finished from other readings and then went back to James 1:5 and on where he talks about asking for wisdom. So nice to know that God does not scold us for asking for help, for wisdom. And so comforting to know that I'm asking the true Source of knowledge. There's nothing He can't help me figure out! Now that's the Ultimate Teacher!
ReplyDeleteThen I went to JC and read something that I read last week. Here's a couple of excerpts from pg 196.
"Gratitude enables you to perceive Me more clearly and to rejoice in our Love-relationship...Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that your security rests in Me alone, and I am totally trustworthy."
Man, that is so good for me to hear. Someone is totally trustworthy! And the Person who said it can't lie! Just so different from humans, so refreshing.
"I long to make your life a glorious adventure, but you must stop clinging to old ways, I am always doing something new within My beloved ones. Be on the lookout for all that I have prepared for you."
What is He going to do for me today? I have no clue. What I do know is my choices will determine what I allow Him to do. Help my unbelief Lord, give me strength to allow you to make my day a glorious adventure with the best Guide I could ever have.
The condition of having God's love endlessly as you commented yesterday, plays into today's reading in Chronicles. So easy to start with loyalty to God, but our pride is so scary and we fall away so easily.
ReplyDeleteAll the kings today started out good but success was their down fall. No wonder God allows more trials in my life. I'm so much closer to Him when things aren't going well. Or at least how I think they should go. I know I have a lot of pride. Thank You Lord, for the trials that are working it out of me. Not saying I like them, I'm just recognizing that I need them.
Yesterday I was thinking about this same thing when I was at the gym and listening to Beautiful Ending by BarlowGirl. It's what the song is about, starting strong but the pride of my heart makes me forget "it's not me but You that makes the heart beat, I'm lost without You, You dying for me..."
Man, did that start a river of songs and chorus in my brain! Ha ha. It's a fact though, without Him we are nothing. Everything we have is a gift from Him. And our gratitude draws us closer to Him. I definitely need to practice this more.
It is amazing to me how quickly those kings turned to other gods after God blessed them; but I know I do the same thing -- well put Chris, I relate.
ReplyDeleteAlso liked this truth "Don't worry about the money. It is nothing compared to what the Eternal has to give you" Awesome! It's only money --- and He wants to give me abundantly more -- peace beyond measure; THAT can't be bought.
Uzziah "he no longer thought he needed God's help . . he became prideful and corrupt. . . Uzziah was furious at the priests for forbidding him, the king, to do something" And all they were trying to do was save his skin (no pun intended)
I was struck that the direction of the leadership of a nation was what dictated how God treated the nation (not individuals, but the nation) If that is true - our "Christian" country, good old USA is in deep weeds it seems. But -- we need to keep focusing on HIM; good example in Noah
Yes! I loved that wording - it's nothing compared to what the Eternal has to give you. I settle way too often for the cheap bling of this world.
ReplyDeleteToday in Ps I was reminded of the importance of fixing my eyes on God. Stop being so easily distracted (I am way too much).
So true also, that if God doesn't help me, I'm toast. He can do things on behalf that don't even come into my thinking. That's why it's important to stop hindering Him by trying to define Him, box Him neatly with a bow, etc. I don't have control so need to stop the charade and hang on for the ride of my life!
I thought the commenter's take on Jerusalem, the city of peace, is historically a city of war - never thought of that; Satan at work I think: God's plan vs Satan's plan.
ReplyDeleteYup -- I keyed in on Ps 123 and the raise my eyes to fix my gaze on You. I used the illustration in 2, but substituted in Toby, as I often think that if I was as dedicated to my God as Toby is to me, I'd be way better off.
"Just as the eyes of Toby closely watch the hand of his master, just as Toby carefully observes the slightest gesture of his mistress, in the same way I look to You, Eternal One"
Also -- loved the wording in JC today -- reminded me of the Todd Lake meadow last weekend:
ReplyDelete"Lie down in green pastures of Peace. Learn to unwind whenever possible, resting in the Presence of your Shepherd. This electronic age keeps My children "wired" much of the time, too tense to find Me in the midst of their moments. I built into your very being the need for rest. How twisted the world has become when people feel guilty about meeting this basic need!"
Oh yeah! That's an awesome read from JC!
ReplyDeleteI did read Ecc. today. Kind of depressing. I guess maybe he was just giving a dose of reality. We all die. Everything we chase after is fleeting. So I turned to JC.
ReplyDeleteOne of the texts referred to was Is 9:6 and in my translation, the phrase that stood out to me was that God is the "Master of wholeness". That is so comforting to me, I can't put it all into words.
Here's another truth in JC itself. "The ways of the world have also warped your conscience, which punishes you for doing the very thing that pleases Me most; seeking My Face." So very, very true. We feel guilty for sitting quietly in His Presence. The Martha vs Mary syndrome. I realize not everyone needs the same amount of quiet in His Presence, but it truly is what we need.
When we need something, we think of the store that would have it and make plans to go and get it. Why don't we do that spiritually? Do you know what you need spiritually? I'm sure the Master of Wholeness has a few ideas.
O THANK YOU Chris for giving me hope after Ecc! Really appreciated that "we feel guilty for sitting quietly in His presence" The world has trained us in that guilt - - O how far we have fallen . . .
ReplyDeleteHabakkuk - where did they get these names? Like the commentators said, his thoughts mirror our thoughts these days. Where is justice? Are we ever gonna catch a break?, etc.
ReplyDeleteSeems like the answers he gets come after worship times. In 2:3, it's might seem like it's not happening buy wait for it. What are you going to do while you wait? Whine? Give up? Go with the flow and don't stand for anything? If I am waiting, like we read before on the every move of my Master, then, to me, part of that includes worship.
Since I don't understand His ways, bowing at His feet in submission to them makes it easier. He's seeing things I can't; working in hearts that I don't know. At His feet, I realize that He is God and I am not. Seems like Hab reached the same conclusion at the end of 2.
In 3 nature is bowing before her Creator as He approaches. At the end of the chapter Hab praises God for the simple fact that he is saved. The bare bones of praise. Hab can't see the cross right now, but he knows his redemption is in God alone and he thanks Him for it. I like that. Thanking God for the basic fact of salvation. I have hope.
I came to about the same conclusion. I appreciate that Hab was willing to shout at God with his questions; BUT in Hab 2 -- the shouting is gone, and now he listens and watches; that's when God can get a word in edgewise:)
ReplyDeleteI love his worship at the end -- reminds me of Blessed Be Your Name; you give and take away - Lord blessed be Your name:) I want to have that kind of attitude, not just sing the words
Just like God gave Samson amazing strength and Daniel and Solomon amazing wisdom; it appears that Saul was blessed with amazing debating skills. All those years with Gamaliel - - set him up to be able to argue down all of the Jews. They couldn't debate with him, so the next step (to avoid agreeing with him) was to kill him. Human pride is pretty sad.
ReplyDeleteHe waits for 3 days completely blind. 3 days; Jonah was in the whale for 3 days - - in that darkness he had plenty of time to think - no more talking, no more manipulating - just darkness, thinking, talking to God.
Jesus was in the grave for 3 days - - He was in darkness too, waiting for God to open up the next step.
And now here's Saul -- in darkness; waiting, praying vs 11; and when he is released from his darkness -- incredible light spreads all over God's people. Not just for Saul, but anyone that listens and believes him!!
So what is my 3 days; what will God use to slow me down - to cause me to turn away from my schemes and simply be used by Him?
I wonder if God added that "Including how much he must suffer for My name" to convince Ananias that Saul had a heart-change. It was not about mighty proud Saul anymore -- but about a man willing to serve to the death.
Barnabas, son of encouragement, the only one that accepted Saul - - and became the advocate. A beautiful illustration of how Jesus accepts me, after I've messed up relationships all around me, scared or ticked people off; double-crossed my Father. He accepts, He advocates - both relationships around and relationships above.
Wow, awesome thoughts Linda, thank you. I thought the same thing about the 3 days and my current situation. What am I learning through this? When will I be looking back on it and say that I was glad for it. I know for now, I'm learning to enjoy the Person I'm going through it with. Accepting His control and not the stress of my psuedo control. Makes a big difference for sure.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about the people traveling with Saul. What was their testimony after that day? What did they tell the priests back in Jerusalem? I was also wondering about the towns people who saw Peter heal Aeneas and believed. What did they believe? That it was Peter? That his God was stronger and it was a fear thing? We don't know this either.
It's a fact we all start somewhere in our belief in God. What effort we put into a relationship after that start is up to us. God is always ready and waiting for it.
I also liked that Peter stayed a few more days with Cornelius. He didn't do like us and dunk him and leave, expecting him to be a mature Christian right away. He stayed and nurtured. I think that's why Paul stayed in towns for a while if he could or left someone behind. To nurture, to help them in their growth. Why are we so hard on people? I guess it's because we have another person to compare ourselves to and think we're better. We are so twisted. I'm so grateful God doesn't stop nurturing us. I need so much help. Thank You Jesus!