James 4:17 (HCSB), "So, for the person who knows to do good and doesn't do it, it is a sin."
You may be looking at that verse and asking, where do I take refuge in that?
God chastised Cain when he was upset that God did not accept his offering: Genesis 4:7b (HCSB), "...But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Paul expressed his remorse over it in Romans 7:19 (HCSB), "For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do."
All of us as believers struggle with the desire to do things that we ought not to do and the frustration when we don't do what we know we should. But, rejoice! If we didn't have the Spirit to prompt us as we seek to life holy lives, how would we know what is good and what is not? God provided a way for us to know good. God sent an encourager to prompt us to do good. And God has promised over and over to bless those who follow His ways.
It began with the old covenant and His promise to Abraham to bless him and multiply his offspring. It continues with the new covenant where God allows His own Son to make a way for use through His sacrifice. God has always provided a way for us to be empowered to "do good" even when we don't see it in ourselves.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB), "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it." We face the temptation every day to avoid doing what we know we should do. But God has given us the grace to push on through the temptation and live triumphantly in His power.
Take Refuge, my friend. When you know what to do and you struggle not wanting to do it, you have a Helper and a Savior who will come along side you and encourage you to do what you know you should.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
James 3 - Fruit of Righteousness
James 3:17-18 (HCSB) "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
We already talked about asking for wisdom and God's generous provision in James 1. But here, James describes that wisdom in terms of the fruits of righteousness that it displays. We are challenged to ask "in faith without doubting." Here we find out why. By putting forth our faith as part of the good works James talks about in chapter 2 and using that faith to bridle our tounge as he talks about in chapter 3, we display our fruit of righteousness that can only be inspired by the Father above. It becomes a circle exemplifying the Christian walk.
We have faith in Christ. Through that faith, we ask the Father for wisdom. As a result of God's wisdom, we display our faith through works, self denial and our treatment of others. This in turn leads others to exercise faith in Christ which also renews our own faith seeing Him work in others.
I really like the way James 3:17 is stated in The Message, "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." God's wisdom, when accepted in faith, fills us with the desire to live a holy life. Matthew Henry reflects on these verses with, "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."
Take Refuge in God's wisdom as to fill us with the Fruit of Righteousness, a truly excellent gift.
We already talked about asking for wisdom and God's generous provision in James 1. But here, James describes that wisdom in terms of the fruits of righteousness that it displays. We are challenged to ask "in faith without doubting." Here we find out why. By putting forth our faith as part of the good works James talks about in chapter 2 and using that faith to bridle our tounge as he talks about in chapter 3, we display our fruit of righteousness that can only be inspired by the Father above. It becomes a circle exemplifying the Christian walk.
We have faith in Christ. Through that faith, we ask the Father for wisdom. As a result of God's wisdom, we display our faith through works, self denial and our treatment of others. This in turn leads others to exercise faith in Christ which also renews our own faith seeing Him work in others.
I really like the way James 3:17 is stated in The Message, "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." God's wisdom, when accepted in faith, fills us with the desire to live a holy life. Matthew Henry reflects on these verses with, "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."
Take Refuge in God's wisdom as to fill us with the Fruit of Righteousness, a truly excellent gift.
Friday, March 4, 2011
James 2 - Rich or Poor
James 2:5 (HCSB), "Listen, my dear brothers: Didn't God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He has promised to those who love Him?"
Hallelujah, God's ways are not our ways. In James 2, we are given the illustration that if you show favoritism of one group over another (in this case rich over poor), you "discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts", James 2:4 (HCSB). It would be better for us to remember Job 34:19 (HCSB), "God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands."
God made each of us regardless of our position in society. God loves all of His children. Our challenge is to see the people around us with God's eyes and not man's eyes. Each person is one of God's unique creations and worthy of His love and our love too. Likewise, if others are worthy of God's love, then you are too.
Take Refuge, regardless of your "place" in life, God loves you individually and He expects all Christians to love your as well.
Hallelujah, God's ways are not our ways. In James 2, we are given the illustration that if you show favoritism of one group over another (in this case rich over poor), you "discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts", James 2:4 (HCSB). It would be better for us to remember Job 34:19 (HCSB), "God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands."
God made each of us regardless of our position in society. God loves all of His children. Our challenge is to see the people around us with God's eyes and not man's eyes. Each person is one of God's unique creations and worthy of His love and our love too. Likewise, if others are worthy of God's love, then you are too.
Take Refuge, regardless of your "place" in life, God loves you individually and He expects all Christians to love your as well.
James 1 - Wisdom
James 1:2-5 (HCSB), "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him."
A friend of mine once described James as Christianity 101. A lesson in the basics of Christianity. With that in mind, where does he start? Expect trials and ask for wisdom. Matthew Henry wrote, "We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs?"
God promises that if we ask for wisdom, he will give it generously. James goes on to say that we must ask "in faith without doubting". This is true in all parts of our Christian walk. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19 (HCSB), "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Take Refuge, God is our provider. He is always waiting for us to seek His help.
A friend of mine once described James as Christianity 101. A lesson in the basics of Christianity. With that in mind, where does he start? Expect trials and ask for wisdom. Matthew Henry wrote, "We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs?"
God promises that if we ask for wisdom, he will give it generously. James goes on to say that we must ask "in faith without doubting". This is true in all parts of our Christian walk. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19 (HCSB), "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Take Refuge, God is our provider. He is always waiting for us to seek His help.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Hebrews 13 - Yesterday, Today and Forever
Hebrews 13:8 (HCSB), "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
What a way to summarize the final entry for Hebrews. Jesus, our high priest, is, was and always will be our savior. He is with us, in us, surrounding us and enabling us. He wants to show His love to us and through us to a dieing world. It is all about our relationship with Christ. Our faith in God enables Him to bless us. Our acceptance of Christ as our savior enables Him to intercede on our behalf before the Father. And that's the way it will always be until we are in Heaven with Him.
Matthew Henry writes, "And though their ministers were some dead, others dying, yet the great Head and High Priest of the church, the Bishop of their souls, ever lives, and is ever the same. Christ is the same in the Old Testament day. as in the gospel day, and will be so to his people for ever, equally merciful, powerful, and all-sufficient. Still he fills the hungry, encourages the trembling, and welcomes repenting sinners: still he rejects the proud and self-righteous, abhors mere profession, and teaches all whom he saves, to love righteousness, and to hate iniquity." So much insight for such a small passage, WOW!
Take Refuge -- the more you get to know Christ, the more you will find that He is always the same. Always faithful. Always loving. Always available. You just have to call on Him and He will be there for you.
What a way to summarize the final entry for Hebrews. Jesus, our high priest, is, was and always will be our savior. He is with us, in us, surrounding us and enabling us. He wants to show His love to us and through us to a dieing world. It is all about our relationship with Christ. Our faith in God enables Him to bless us. Our acceptance of Christ as our savior enables Him to intercede on our behalf before the Father. And that's the way it will always be until we are in Heaven with Him.
Matthew Henry writes, "And though their ministers were some dead, others dying, yet the great Head and High Priest of the church, the Bishop of their souls, ever lives, and is ever the same. Christ is the same in the Old Testament day. as in the gospel day, and will be so to his people for ever, equally merciful, powerful, and all-sufficient. Still he fills the hungry, encourages the trembling, and welcomes repenting sinners: still he rejects the proud and self-righteous, abhors mere profession, and teaches all whom he saves, to love righteousness, and to hate iniquity." So much insight for such a small passage, WOW!
Take Refuge -- the more you get to know Christ, the more you will find that He is always the same. Always faithful. Always loving. Always available. You just have to call on Him and He will be there for you.
Hebrews 12 - The Race
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV), "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
This was written by my son and said so well that I just had to repeat it here to share with you.
"Runners look towards and think about only one thing, the end which gives them victory. With victory comes a great prize. We as Christians are promised the greatest prize imaginable, eternity with Christ in Glory. How then do we allow ourselves to forget so quickly about the race set before us? How then do we so quickly forget about the prize that awaits?
Horses used to pull carriages are given a set of blinders so that they don't get destracted by what is to their left or right. Do we then not have a set of blinders that keep us fully focused on Christ? Well? The answer is yes. We just often "forget" (and I use that term loosely) them. We are truely and easily entaingled by the things that are headed for the junk yard.
Paul talks about how Christ suffered the cross willing because of the JOY that He would recieve having us in Heaven. Beaten, mocked, denied, and stripped of his clothing, willing;y took on the sin of man. And with perseveance ran the race that God set before Him, knowing full well that the end, here on earth, was being crucified on a cross. The most dishororing way to die, and yet, He did it willingly and took GREAT joy in the prize that He does not yet have. Why then can we not even for a moment stay focused on Him and take Joy in the prize that is yet to come?"
Take Refuge my friend. A race run well results in the ultimate prize - eternity with Christ.
This was written by my son and said so well that I just had to repeat it here to share with you.
"Runners look towards and think about only one thing, the end which gives them victory. With victory comes a great prize. We as Christians are promised the greatest prize imaginable, eternity with Christ in Glory. How then do we allow ourselves to forget so quickly about the race set before us? How then do we so quickly forget about the prize that awaits?
Horses used to pull carriages are given a set of blinders so that they don't get destracted by what is to their left or right. Do we then not have a set of blinders that keep us fully focused on Christ? Well? The answer is yes. We just often "forget" (and I use that term loosely) them. We are truely and easily entaingled by the things that are headed for the junk yard.
Paul talks about how Christ suffered the cross willing because of the JOY that He would recieve having us in Heaven. Beaten, mocked, denied, and stripped of his clothing, willing;y took on the sin of man. And with perseveance ran the race that God set before Him, knowing full well that the end, here on earth, was being crucified on a cross. The most dishororing way to die, and yet, He did it willingly and took GREAT joy in the prize that He does not yet have. Why then can we not even for a moment stay focused on Him and take Joy in the prize that is yet to come?"
Take Refuge my friend. A race run well results in the ultimate prize - eternity with Christ.
Hebrews 11 - By Faith
Hebrews 11 is one of the most inspiring passages in the Bible. It is often referred to as the Hall of Faith. Here is a list of many who had faith in God and were blessed as a result of their faith. They showed their faith in many forms; Abraham trusted God's covenant and fathered a nation, others were great warriors, others just pleased God like Enoch. All knew that God was their provider and they had faith in Him. How does this work? The answer lies in verse 6, "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him." (HCSB).
Without faith we cannot please God. More importantly, we must believe that He exists and that He cares. God loves us and wants the best for us at all times. We just have to trust Him and believe that His way is the best way for us.
As I work through Hebrews (only 2 more chapters to go), these blogs start to sound like a broken record. God loves us... Christ sacrificed for us... We can trust Him... But, it is all true and illustrated in so many ways throughout this book. Now in chapter 11, we get to see examples of those who believed it with all their heart and what God did for them and through them. God wants us to have faith in Him so that He can use us as well.
Take Refuge that by faith, we can please God and he can use us.
Without faith we cannot please God. More importantly, we must believe that He exists and that He cares. God loves us and wants the best for us at all times. We just have to trust Him and believe that His way is the best way for us.
As I work through Hebrews (only 2 more chapters to go), these blogs start to sound like a broken record. God loves us... Christ sacrificed for us... We can trust Him... But, it is all true and illustrated in so many ways throughout this book. Now in chapter 11, we get to see examples of those who believed it with all their heart and what God did for them and through them. God wants us to have faith in Him so that He can use us as well.
Take Refuge that by faith, we can please God and he can use us.
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