Good and Perfect Gifts
James 1:13-18
"13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."
Who is this God that we worship? James tells us straight out that this God is not a God who throws things at us to trip us up or that wants to mess our lives up.
No this God is a God of good and perfect gifts – He has always been that way and will continue to be that way. We can count on Him. He gave us life – eternal life when we gave our life to Him. What more can we ask for?
It is easy during times of trials and troubles to think that God has forgotten or abandoned us. It is easy at times to forget that He loves us and is there for us.
That is where faith comes in – no matter how dark it may seem – we must continue on in faith – expecting Him to show up with exactly what we need exactly when we need it and not before.
It’s funny how God does things. In our Prayer study at Starbucks the last two weeks, we have discussed how we must continue to pray even when the situation we are praying about gets worse. It is then when we must demonstrate the most faith and patience with God. The temptation is to want to take it back from God and do it ourselves. That is not a temptation we want to give in to.
God is a giver of good and perfect gifts – may He rain gifts on you today!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wisdom
James 1:5-12
“5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. 9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
When Solomon was given the choice of having anything he asked for from God he chose wisdom. Why? Because with wisdom he would be effective and successful in everything he did. Wisdom is knowing how to live and work the way God wants us to. Wisdom is something we should pursue and something we should desire. Wisdom is a gift from God.
Wisdom reminds us abut how short life is – not unlike a wild flower which gets an “oh so brief” time to bloom before its time passes.
Wisdom tells us that we need to live out each moment to the fullest – to make the most of every opportunity – to not allow ordinary, everyday circumstances cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus or our sights off of the target – living for Him while living like Him.
God wants to give you wisdom – he wants to help you through – He wants to show you His way. All we have to do is ask and believe He will answer. Wisdom would tell you to ask today while we have the opportunity.
“5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. 9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
When Solomon was given the choice of having anything he asked for from God he chose wisdom. Why? Because with wisdom he would be effective and successful in everything he did. Wisdom is knowing how to live and work the way God wants us to. Wisdom is something we should pursue and something we should desire. Wisdom is a gift from God.
Wisdom reminds us abut how short life is – not unlike a wild flower which gets an “oh so brief” time to bloom before its time passes.
Wisdom tells us that we need to live out each moment to the fullest – to make the most of every opportunity – to not allow ordinary, everyday circumstances cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus or our sights off of the target – living for Him while living like Him.
God wants to give you wisdom – he wants to help you through – He wants to show you His way. All we have to do is ask and believe He will answer. Wisdom would tell you to ask today while we have the opportunity.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Completion
James 1:2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Mature and complete …
I have only owned one new car (truck) in my life – the rest were preowned – and that was a Toyota truck. It had the nice, new car smell, it was clean and shiny. It ran well – just like it was supposed to. It came off the assembly line as a finished product – I didn’t have to do anything to make it work after we got it – it was ready to go. It had all it’s parts – they didn’t leave anything out that I could tell at least. My father in law is still driving it. I enjoyed that truck.
In today’s verses- James writes about what it means to be mature and complete as a Christ follower. The word for “mature” was a word that meant finished. Sometimes it is translated as “perfect” but what it refers to is that something or someone has gone through a process and that has completed that process. The word used for “complete” meant that the necessary parts ae in place.
That’s what trials/tests do for us. They “mature” us… they “complete” us. They build our faith and they make us into the people God wants us to be. Without tests/trials we would be the equivalent of 98 pound spiritual weaklings – blown away by the slightest of ocean breezes.
So live it out – face your trials/tests with a quiet confidence (pure joy) because God is going to do something in you only He can do … complete you!
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Mature and complete …
I have only owned one new car (truck) in my life – the rest were preowned – and that was a Toyota truck. It had the nice, new car smell, it was clean and shiny. It ran well – just like it was supposed to. It came off the assembly line as a finished product – I didn’t have to do anything to make it work after we got it – it was ready to go. It had all it’s parts – they didn’t leave anything out that I could tell at least. My father in law is still driving it. I enjoyed that truck.
In today’s verses- James writes about what it means to be mature and complete as a Christ follower. The word for “mature” was a word that meant finished. Sometimes it is translated as “perfect” but what it refers to is that something or someone has gone through a process and that has completed that process. The word used for “complete” meant that the necessary parts ae in place.
That’s what trials/tests do for us. They “mature” us… they “complete” us. They build our faith and they make us into the people God wants us to be. Without tests/trials we would be the equivalent of 98 pound spiritual weaklings – blown away by the slightest of ocean breezes.
So live it out – face your trials/tests with a quiet confidence (pure joy) because God is going to do something in you only He can do … complete you!
Monday, July 28, 2008
a new creation
A CHANGED LIFE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Welcome to the journey to authenticity.
As we begin our study of the book of James – let’s first look at the author. The writer of the book of James starts out by identifying himself….
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James 1:1
James – “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
So who was James?
1. He was the younger half - brother of Jesus.
"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Matthew 13:55
2. James was not a follower of Jesus early in his life.
“Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” John 7:3-5
3. James came to believe after he saw the resurrected Jesus.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,” 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
4. He became a leader in the church at Jerusalem ..
(Acts 12:17; Galatians 2:9, 12)
One of the greatest things about James is that he started out like so many people – he couldn’t believe that this guy – his (half) brother – Jesus - was the Messiah – the Anointed One – the Son of God. James struggled with that – wrestled with that until he encountered the risen Savior and then his life changed.
Noticed what he says about himself – “…a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” James 1:1. James must have undergone a complete change to call his own brother his Lord or master. James must have gone through a radical change to come to give life to Him.. James must have encountered a truth that he couldn’t avoid and then his life changed. He became a follower of Jesus Christ and he was never the same.
This same truth can change your life as well. His desire is to make each of us a new creation – to change us – to take us from who we use to be to become the person he meant for us to be.
It all starts with a relationship with God. It starts by committing your life to Christ and like James becoming a servant of God and a follower of Jesus Christ. It starts with a prayer and includes realizing our need for God because of our sins. It continues with committing our life to Him through baptism. It becomes a life lived for Him.
A new life is available to you- allow God to change you – allow Him to make you into a brand new creation just like He did with James.
We’ll look at verses James 1:2-5 … tomorrow.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Welcome to the journey to authenticity.
As we begin our study of the book of James – let’s first look at the author. The writer of the book of James starts out by identifying himself….
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James 1:1
James – “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
So who was James?
1. He was the younger half - brother of Jesus.
"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Matthew 13:55
2. James was not a follower of Jesus early in his life.
“Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” John 7:3-5
3. James came to believe after he saw the resurrected Jesus.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,” 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
4. He became a leader in the church at Jerusalem ..
(Acts 12:17; Galatians 2:9, 12)
One of the greatest things about James is that he started out like so many people – he couldn’t believe that this guy – his (half) brother – Jesus - was the Messiah – the Anointed One – the Son of God. James struggled with that – wrestled with that until he encountered the risen Savior and then his life changed.
Noticed what he says about himself – “…a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” James 1:1. James must have undergone a complete change to call his own brother his Lord or master. James must have gone through a radical change to come to give life to Him.. James must have encountered a truth that he couldn’t avoid and then his life changed. He became a follower of Jesus Christ and he was never the same.
This same truth can change your life as well. His desire is to make each of us a new creation – to change us – to take us from who we use to be to become the person he meant for us to be.
It all starts with a relationship with God. It starts by committing your life to Christ and like James becoming a servant of God and a follower of Jesus Christ. It starts with a prayer and includes realizing our need for God because of our sins. It continues with committing our life to Him through baptism. It becomes a life lived for Him.
A new life is available to you- allow God to change you – allow Him to make you into a brand new creation just like He did with James.
We’ll look at verses James 1:2-5 … tomorrow.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Getting Started
Hey... next week we are starting a 6 week journey through the book of James as part of out Authenticity Sermon series. I want to challenge each of us to read through the book of James over the next 6 weeks. It is a book filled with practical guidelines and truth for living a sold out authentic life for Christ.
It takes more than good intentions to live out our faith and frankly without God it is impossible. The more we yield ourselves to Him and seek to follow His Word the more we will live out an authentic faith that God can use to change the world.
Looking forward to hearing your comments as we go. take care
It takes more than good intentions to live out our faith and frankly without God it is impossible. The more we yield ourselves to Him and seek to follow His Word the more we will live out an authentic faith that God can use to change the world.
Looking forward to hearing your comments as we go. take care
Monday, July 14, 2008
Future 7.14.08
Have you ever tried to picture the future? of course you have - any time you set goals, establish a plan, make preparations - you are setting a path to reach a future you want to make possible. We all have dreams we want to see fulfilled.
Have you ever tried to dream God's dream for your life? Have you ever considered the idea that He does have a dream for your life?
Well, He does and it is born out of the depths of a relationship with Him. He created each of us for a purpose - and above all else that purpose was to know Him and be known by Him. He tells us - "I have loved you with an everlasting love: I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3 His desire is to draw us to Himself - to be in a love relationship with us that is eternal - to share His dreams with us.
So often we desire to have our own quiet little life with few distractions and fewer discomforts - God desires for us to live out a life of passion for His work and for Him. His dream for you is for you to discover all that He has in store for you - here and on into the eternal future.
I do not know the specifics of God's dream for you - all I know is that it involves Him revealing it to you on His timing and for His purposes. You cannot experience His dream without Him.
So stand on the shore and look out into the future - but be sure that as you stand - you are standing with God.
The journey continues...
Have you ever tried to dream God's dream for your life? Have you ever considered the idea that He does have a dream for your life?
Well, He does and it is born out of the depths of a relationship with Him. He created each of us for a purpose - and above all else that purpose was to know Him and be known by Him. He tells us - "I have loved you with an everlasting love: I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3 His desire is to draw us to Himself - to be in a love relationship with us that is eternal - to share His dreams with us.
So often we desire to have our own quiet little life with few distractions and fewer discomforts - God desires for us to live out a life of passion for His work and for Him. His dream for you is for you to discover all that He has in store for you - here and on into the eternal future.
I do not know the specifics of God's dream for you - all I know is that it involves Him revealing it to you on His timing and for His purposes. You cannot experience His dream without Him.
So stand on the shore and look out into the future - but be sure that as you stand - you are standing with God.
The journey continues...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
I'm not listening...
Not sure what I think about this t-shirt - part of me says - "Wow - that's pretty rude." but there's another part of me that says - "At least they're honest about it."
Have you ever pretended to be listening to someone while you were doing something else or thinking about something else? Typing an email while on the phone - texting while talking - listening to the tv with one ear while listening to your spouse/children/best friend etc with the other. (that's impossible you know) It's easy to be so preoccupied with our own thoughts and agendas that we completely miss out on opportunities to build relationships. It can be that way with God as well.
As we work through this series "Interactive: Encountering the Invisible God" I am reminded that God is continually reaching out to me and desires to have a personal relationship with me. Yet I fill my schedule and mind with so much stuff that I might as well be wearing a shirt that says to God - "Warning: I'm Not Listening." I don't want to be that way...
My desire is to be someone who is constantly and continually listening for God - to be in His Word daily - to maintain a prayerful attitude all day - to be listening to other Christ followers and what God can teach me through them. At all times and places to walk with the Holy Spirit as I go through life. I want to have my eyes and ears open to what God is doing and to know that He desires to communicate with us. He is like that because He loves us. When you love someone you listen to them....
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