DEVOTION
JAMES
ALL THE SAME
James 2:8-11
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
NIV
To love my neighbor as myself certainly requires self love to begin with. I must feel completely comfortable with who I am first. I cannot have bad feelings about myself for if I did how I would ever be able to love another. Maybe this favoritism toward me could be the sin talked about here. But then I am sure it also includes showing favoritism regarding other people. If I treat one person better than I treat another it is sin. If I love one person more then another it is sin. But wait, what about my family? Should I not love my wife more than anyone else? What about my daughters and granddaughters? Does this mean I should not show them more love than some stranger I come in contact with? Maybe I should ask who my neighbor is, but I already know it does in fact mean my fellow man. Maybe I should ask what kind of love this is. This is the agape love or love in a social or moral sense. That is different than the family love, so perhaps I can have a greater affection for my family and be alright. This is hard to comprehend. I am not sure I could ever accomplish this. Not loving everyone exactly same, as I love myself means I am guilty of all the law and deserve the penalty of death. Is that the point of these words? God must know it is impossible for any man to fulfill the whole law, in fact he does. That is why Jesus came. He came to fulfill the whole law so in him I too may do so. But I still must not ignore the law of God. I still must make every effort to love everyone equal. I still must not show one a greater affection than another. I must not treat anyone worse than I treat myself. This is not an easy task. I have much work to do yet within my being. There are some people who just rub me the wrong way. How do I love them? I get irritated with how some people behave, yet I have to love them. Wow! I need to allow the Holy Spirit to do more within me.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
One or the Other
DEVOTION
JAMES
ONE OR THE OTHER
James 2:5-7
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
NIV
Do those who have so much of the world’s wealth not believe? Maybe that is true after all. If I compare myself to the wealth of this world, I certainly would have to say I am poor. But I am rich in comparison to so many of those in what is called the third world countries. Yet right here in America I have very little wealth compared to so many. I do think I am exploited by those rich politicians. I do think I really have to control of how I am taxed and burdened with whatever they desire to do for their own purpose. I do think they are the ones who are trying to remove God from the public arena. So in a sense this truth has some bearing on my life. Yet I am so blessed because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I know I would be absolutely lost and without and hope at all if I had not been saved. I can only imagine how magnificent the Kingdom of God is. Although I have a great picture described to me as to what it is like, it still must be far greater in person. Sometimes I wonder why God has been so good to me. Why did I even find him? I am so glad he did get through to me. I do not care for all the wealth of the world when I have the Kingdom. This world is going to be destroyed and all the wealth in it. The only lasting riches are the Kingdom of God. In fact I am already rich because of my salvation, and the great life God has blessed me with. I have a wonderful wife, great daughters and granddaughters; I have been reunited with my sister and have good friends. He has bestowed material blessings on me I am not worthy of. He has gifted me with talent and skills beyond my comprehension and my own abilities. I could never give any of this up for the wealth of this world. I believe I could not serve both for I cannot serve God and money.
JAMES
ONE OR THE OTHER
James 2:5-7
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
NIV
Do those who have so much of the world’s wealth not believe? Maybe that is true after all. If I compare myself to the wealth of this world, I certainly would have to say I am poor. But I am rich in comparison to so many of those in what is called the third world countries. Yet right here in America I have very little wealth compared to so many. I do think I am exploited by those rich politicians. I do think I really have to control of how I am taxed and burdened with whatever they desire to do for their own purpose. I do think they are the ones who are trying to remove God from the public arena. So in a sense this truth has some bearing on my life. Yet I am so blessed because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I know I would be absolutely lost and without and hope at all if I had not been saved. I can only imagine how magnificent the Kingdom of God is. Although I have a great picture described to me as to what it is like, it still must be far greater in person. Sometimes I wonder why God has been so good to me. Why did I even find him? I am so glad he did get through to me. I do not care for all the wealth of the world when I have the Kingdom. This world is going to be destroyed and all the wealth in it. The only lasting riches are the Kingdom of God. In fact I am already rich because of my salvation, and the great life God has blessed me with. I have a wonderful wife, great daughters and granddaughters; I have been reunited with my sister and have good friends. He has bestowed material blessings on me I am not worthy of. He has gifted me with talent and skills beyond my comprehension and my own abilities. I could never give any of this up for the wealth of this world. I believe I could not serve both for I cannot serve God and money.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Same
DEVOTION
JAMES
SAME
James 2:1-4
2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
NIV
Have I become a victim to this kind of thinking? Am I guilty of this kind of thinking? Maybe it is both. No, I really do not think I show favoritism at all except maybe to animals. I do have more compassion for them then I do people. Is that wrong? I don’t know. But I must deal with this idea thinking more of one person then another based on their outward appearance. Do I form an opinion about an individual based on how he presents himself? Maybe to a certain extent I might be guilty of this. But I do not think it has to do with his wealth or lack of it. I think the opinions I form are based on the person himself. How does he act, speak, and treat others are factors which influence my view of him. That may not even be right, and I suppose I need to examine myself more and think the same about all others, showing them the love of Christ no matter how or who they are. That is difficult. There are some individuals I have a difficult time with, and not those who would appear to be poorer then I, but rather those who are of equal or greater financial ability then me. Maybe it is because they threat me as that sit on the floor person. Maybe it is because they act as if they are better, richer, and thus greater than me. It is a sad commentary on all of us, but I must focus on me. I know I do not go out of my way to be involved with those who would be considered having far less then I do. Although I have in the past when I was offering opportunities to be self employed to anyone who wanted, using Amway as a method. But now I am not going to them, and in reality I do not see anyone who would fit that description coming in connect with me anywhere either. I really do think I am more a victim of this type of discrimination then an offender of it. Yet it is all relative. No matter how I am treated I need to make sure I treat each person the same. I need to be that salt, the light and the mirror reflecting the truth, hope, and love of Christ to all.
JAMES
SAME
James 2:1-4
2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
NIV
Have I become a victim to this kind of thinking? Am I guilty of this kind of thinking? Maybe it is both. No, I really do not think I show favoritism at all except maybe to animals. I do have more compassion for them then I do people. Is that wrong? I don’t know. But I must deal with this idea thinking more of one person then another based on their outward appearance. Do I form an opinion about an individual based on how he presents himself? Maybe to a certain extent I might be guilty of this. But I do not think it has to do with his wealth or lack of it. I think the opinions I form are based on the person himself. How does he act, speak, and treat others are factors which influence my view of him. That may not even be right, and I suppose I need to examine myself more and think the same about all others, showing them the love of Christ no matter how or who they are. That is difficult. There are some individuals I have a difficult time with, and not those who would appear to be poorer then I, but rather those who are of equal or greater financial ability then me. Maybe it is because they threat me as that sit on the floor person. Maybe it is because they act as if they are better, richer, and thus greater than me. It is a sad commentary on all of us, but I must focus on me. I know I do not go out of my way to be involved with those who would be considered having far less then I do. Although I have in the past when I was offering opportunities to be self employed to anyone who wanted, using Amway as a method. But now I am not going to them, and in reality I do not see anyone who would fit that description coming in connect with me anywhere either. I really do think I am more a victim of this type of discrimination then an offender of it. Yet it is all relative. No matter how I am treated I need to make sure I treat each person the same. I need to be that salt, the light and the mirror reflecting the truth, hope, and love of Christ to all.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Worth
DEVOTION
JAMES
WORTH
James 1:26
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
NIV
Is this all about gossip? Or maybe just spreading false rumors or could it be about false teaching? I think that might well be the case here. Sure I should not gossip, and sure I should not spread false rumors or even speak course language or off color jokes, and those kinds of things. But I am inclined here to consider this as a warning about false teaching because it speaks if I consider myself to be a religious person then I should keep a tight rein on what I teach. I must always be very sure to teach what is only in the inspired word of God and the truth of that content. I cannot interpret the word for my own use, or to manipulate others for my purpose. Sometimes I think the choice of topic some pastors pick during a certain upcoming event such as a fund raiser, or special guest are exactly that. It is an attempt to remind or manipulate the congregation in a certain way of thinking and acting for that special purpose. I cannot allow that to be a part of my ministry. I cannot allow my tongue to speak or to write false theology. Doctrine has no part of my messages, only teaching and writing about God is my concern. I don’t give a hoot about what church believes what, or does not believe. I must be true and true alone to the word of God. It has all the truth, not the church. Sure I cannot teach against the doctrine of the church I am attending for that would not be keeping a tight rein on my tongue either. But I don’t teach that doctrine either, I teach the word, only the word, and the pure word, without regard to doctrine. That is what I believe this warns me about. Doctrine and false teachings only serve to cause dissension and divide people. The word of truth causes love and brings people into fellowship with one another. I trust the Holy Spirit will continue to speak the truth into my being, and my religion, my belief has worth.
JAMES
WORTH
James 1:26
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
NIV
Is this all about gossip? Or maybe just spreading false rumors or could it be about false teaching? I think that might well be the case here. Sure I should not gossip, and sure I should not spread false rumors or even speak course language or off color jokes, and those kinds of things. But I am inclined here to consider this as a warning about false teaching because it speaks if I consider myself to be a religious person then I should keep a tight rein on what I teach. I must always be very sure to teach what is only in the inspired word of God and the truth of that content. I cannot interpret the word for my own use, or to manipulate others for my purpose. Sometimes I think the choice of topic some pastors pick during a certain upcoming event such as a fund raiser, or special guest are exactly that. It is an attempt to remind or manipulate the congregation in a certain way of thinking and acting for that special purpose. I cannot allow that to be a part of my ministry. I cannot allow my tongue to speak or to write false theology. Doctrine has no part of my messages, only teaching and writing about God is my concern. I don’t give a hoot about what church believes what, or does not believe. I must be true and true alone to the word of God. It has all the truth, not the church. Sure I cannot teach against the doctrine of the church I am attending for that would not be keeping a tight rein on my tongue either. But I don’t teach that doctrine either, I teach the word, only the word, and the pure word, without regard to doctrine. That is what I believe this warns me about. Doctrine and false teachings only serve to cause dissension and divide people. The word of truth causes love and brings people into fellowship with one another. I trust the Holy Spirit will continue to speak the truth into my being, and my religion, my belief has worth.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Doer
DEVOTION
JAMES
DOER
James 1:22-25
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
NIV
I find it hard to comprehend how I could do anything else but be a doing of the word. But how do I judge if in fact I am a doing and now just a listener? If I remember all that I have read and have hidden it in my heart, does that count as a doing? I surely do not forget about the word, but does that imply I am actually doing what it says? I think not so. I think that would be deceiving myself thinking that because I know the word I am doing what it says. I think if I talk the walk but do not walk the talk I am so far from being who I am suppose to be. So again, how do I judge if I am doing everything I have listened to? Am I being the man of God the word declares I should be? There is so much to do, the more I listen. What if I just listened to a little, would I still be responsible for the lot? But the fact is I have listened to a lot, I teach, and preach the word and do these daily devotions, and write books, and profess my faith out loud. So I have to be a big doer, because I have so much of the word within my being. Will God hold me to any higher standard than those who have only listened to a little? I think that is the case as the word does declare so. Even within this letter of James which I know I will have to deal with at the time I get to chapter three. I do not think there is anything I desire more than to be blessed in what I do. To have the Lord bless my teaching, my preaching, my writing, so that others may be strengthened, encouraged and exhorted in their journey with the Lord. I have to allow the Holy Spirit more access to my inner being so I am walk the talk more and more each day.
JAMES
DOER
James 1:22-25
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
NIV
I find it hard to comprehend how I could do anything else but be a doing of the word. But how do I judge if in fact I am a doing and now just a listener? If I remember all that I have read and have hidden it in my heart, does that count as a doing? I surely do not forget about the word, but does that imply I am actually doing what it says? I think not so. I think that would be deceiving myself thinking that because I know the word I am doing what it says. I think if I talk the walk but do not walk the talk I am so far from being who I am suppose to be. So again, how do I judge if I am doing everything I have listened to? Am I being the man of God the word declares I should be? There is so much to do, the more I listen. What if I just listened to a little, would I still be responsible for the lot? But the fact is I have listened to a lot, I teach, and preach the word and do these daily devotions, and write books, and profess my faith out loud. So I have to be a big doer, because I have so much of the word within my being. Will God hold me to any higher standard than those who have only listened to a little? I think that is the case as the word does declare so. Even within this letter of James which I know I will have to deal with at the time I get to chapter three. I do not think there is anything I desire more than to be blessed in what I do. To have the Lord bless my teaching, my preaching, my writing, so that others may be strengthened, encouraged and exhorted in their journey with the Lord. I have to allow the Holy Spirit more access to my inner being so I am walk the talk more and more each day.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Not Sure
DEVOTION
JAMES
NOT SURE
James 1:19-21
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
NIV
I surely do not think I am very quick to speak; in fact I am so slow people get tired of listening to me. But I do not think it is that kind of slow I am being encouraged to be here. I know I am not as good a listener as I should be, but on the other hand, I also am not very fast to offer any words. I am not sure why that is. Is it because I have been put down too many times or maybe it is because I feel insecure. I know my listening skills need work. Why do not I listen like I should? Am I not interested in what others have to say? Is that because I am so self-centered? I do not think so, but I know I always say I desire a two way conversation. I actually do desire to listen but also to be listened to. Maybe I have stopped both listening and speaking because I just am not in that situation much. I do have a couple of friends that I listen to, they listen to me. But again I think maybe this has more to do with insisting on my way so much and getting so upset because people will not hear what I have to say. If I become so self-centered I must be the center of attention in a group I am in trouble. I know people like that. No, I think I am, if anything a little stand offish, keeping to myself, not getting involved at all. That is not so good either. I neither listen nor speak, at least in many cases. I know when I do speak I get so passionate I get preachy and that is not good either because no one wants to listen. Am I ever wandering all over this idea? I know anger is all about self-centeredness I think I need some work still to be done by the Holy Spirit in that area. I have to ponder on this whole concept more. I need more time for god to give me more insight into my own being, who I am, what I do and should do and not do and such not do, but I do know I need to listen better, and talk less.
JAMES
NOT SURE
James 1:19-21
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
NIV
I surely do not think I am very quick to speak; in fact I am so slow people get tired of listening to me. But I do not think it is that kind of slow I am being encouraged to be here. I know I am not as good a listener as I should be, but on the other hand, I also am not very fast to offer any words. I am not sure why that is. Is it because I have been put down too many times or maybe it is because I feel insecure. I know my listening skills need work. Why do not I listen like I should? Am I not interested in what others have to say? Is that because I am so self-centered? I do not think so, but I know I always say I desire a two way conversation. I actually do desire to listen but also to be listened to. Maybe I have stopped both listening and speaking because I just am not in that situation much. I do have a couple of friends that I listen to, they listen to me. But again I think maybe this has more to do with insisting on my way so much and getting so upset because people will not hear what I have to say. If I become so self-centered I must be the center of attention in a group I am in trouble. I know people like that. No, I think I am, if anything a little stand offish, keeping to myself, not getting involved at all. That is not so good either. I neither listen nor speak, at least in many cases. I know when I do speak I get so passionate I get preachy and that is not good either because no one wants to listen. Am I ever wandering all over this idea? I know anger is all about self-centeredness I think I need some work still to be done by the Holy Spirit in that area. I have to ponder on this whole concept more. I need more time for god to give me more insight into my own being, who I am, what I do and should do and not do and such not do, but I do know I need to listen better, and talk less.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Eternally Grateful
DEVOTION
JAMES
ETERNALLY GRATEFUL
James 1:16-18
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.
NIV
It would seem the world has a certain temptation of what would seem to be good things. I know it is easy to be distracted by my eyes, seeing something I think would be good for me, but I would be deceived if I actually thought it would be good for me and pursue it with all my efforts. For nothing in this world is good for me unless God provides it for me and the greatest thing he has provided is the word of truth. This word of truth is the way God decided to allow me to be born again, a new birth as a child of God. As such I know not to be deceived by all the fluff and puff of the world. I know it is all just stuff which can become way too important if I allow it to. Oh such I try to take care of my stuff, especially the stuff God has provided for me. I don’t want to be ungrateful and take advantage by allowing those things to simply fall apart. But then maybe He does not care and will simply provide me newer stuff. He always has in the past, but I also have always tried to take care of that which he has given me. I especially have tried to take care of the word of truth. I have tried to keep it in good shape within my being, allowing it to do what it is intended to do. Although I surely appreciate all the creature comfort my God has supplied for me, I am most thankful for the word of truth. Without it I would simply be without any hope of eternal life at the conclusion of this physical one. What value would this one be if there was not one after it? Just to be born, strive for all I can get, die and leave it all behind seems to be a real waste of time. But I am not deceived because God saw fit to make sure I was inspirited by his Holy Spirit to look into and see his word of truth. For this I am and will be eternally grateful.
JAMES
ETERNALLY GRATEFUL
James 1:16-18
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.
NIV
It would seem the world has a certain temptation of what would seem to be good things. I know it is easy to be distracted by my eyes, seeing something I think would be good for me, but I would be deceived if I actually thought it would be good for me and pursue it with all my efforts. For nothing in this world is good for me unless God provides it for me and the greatest thing he has provided is the word of truth. This word of truth is the way God decided to allow me to be born again, a new birth as a child of God. As such I know not to be deceived by all the fluff and puff of the world. I know it is all just stuff which can become way too important if I allow it to. Oh such I try to take care of my stuff, especially the stuff God has provided for me. I don’t want to be ungrateful and take advantage by allowing those things to simply fall apart. But then maybe He does not care and will simply provide me newer stuff. He always has in the past, but I also have always tried to take care of that which he has given me. I especially have tried to take care of the word of truth. I have tried to keep it in good shape within my being, allowing it to do what it is intended to do. Although I surely appreciate all the creature comfort my God has supplied for me, I am most thankful for the word of truth. Without it I would simply be without any hope of eternal life at the conclusion of this physical one. What value would this one be if there was not one after it? Just to be born, strive for all I can get, die and leave it all behind seems to be a real waste of time. But I am not deceived because God saw fit to make sure I was inspirited by his Holy Spirit to look into and see his word of truth. For this I am and will be eternally grateful.
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