apr 8-14-07 james

James, Chapter 1

James 1:1-27 MSG I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing

to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello!

It is the consensus of most that this was in fact James, the brother of Jesus.

We have learned from Jesus teachings that to become first we must become

last.

James, Chapter 1

It is remarkable, also, considering the relation which James is

supposed to have borne to the Lord Jesus as his “brother,” That he did not refer to that as constituting a ground of claim to his right to

address others;

James, Chapter 1

but this is only one instance out of many, in the New Testament, in

which it is regarded as a higher honor to be the “servant of God,” and to

belong to his family, than to sustain any relations of blood or kindred. It

may be observed also, that this term is one which was especially appropriate

to James, as a man eminent for his integrity.

James, Chapter 1

His claim to respect and deference was not primarily founded on any relationship

which he sustained; any honor of birth or blood; or even any external office, but on the fact

that he was a “servant of God.”

James, Chapter 1

And of the Lord Jesus Christ - The “servant of the Lord Jesus,” is an

appellation which is often given to Christians, and particularly to the ministers of religion. They are his

servants, not in the sense that they are slaves, but in the sense that they

voluntarily obey his will, and labor for him, and not for themselves.

(Barnes)

James, Chapter 1

To the twelve tribes - Of Israel; that is, those of them that believe.

Which are scattered abroad - In various countries. Ten of the tribes were scattered ever since the reign of Hosea; and great part of the rest

were now dispersed through the Roman empire. (Wesley)

Faith Under Pressure

2 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and

challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that

under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and

shows its true colors.


4 So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so

you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any

way.When we find ourselves tested, challenged and under pressure

don’t look right immediately for a way out of the situation.


James tells us we are being improved. These growing pains, so to speak, are

necessary for our development. Maturity cannot be reached without growing pains. James doesn’t say it will be easy becoming mature, but

praise God for the so called troubles that refine us into mature Christians,

servants of God.


5 If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his

help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. 6 Ask boldly, believingly,

without a second thought.


People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-

whipped waves. 7 Don’t think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, 8

adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.


Here is one area where Christian maturity is going to show. Being able to ask for help, KNOWING

that you will get the help you need. James says if you ask God for help

without conviction your prayers will be answered they won’t be

answered.


9 When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! 10 And when the

arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity

is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count

on it.


11 You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture

of the "prosperous life." At the very moment everyone is looking on in

admiration, it fades away to nothing.


Get excited when those having a hard time are given a break and

some relief. Get excited also when the proud rich are knocked down a

notch or two. Not that they are harmed in any what, but this could

bring them closer to God.


Remember the Scriptures say, “God hates a proud heart,” and Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Earthly

riches aren’t lasting! Like the beautiful flower that quickly fades

away so goes the proud, prosperous life, fading away to nothing.


12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more

life.When you’re tested grit your teeth

and hang on.


Show God you won’t let life’s testing times ruin your faith. You’re in this for the long haul. I think the words

we hear so often fit here. “For better or for worse,” we’re in it for life. The better is Life Eternal with our Maker

and Savior, the worse; the testing, challenges and pressure which hones

us to maturity.


13 Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is

impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. 14 The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and

only us.


We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. 15 Lust gets

pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and

becomes a real killer.


While God is honing you He will not tempt or trip you up with evil! Temptation to do evil does not

come from God, it comes from our worldly nature. This evil flares up our own lust. Then Lust becomes mature and gives birth to sin. Sin,

when allowed to live, kills!


16 So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. 17 Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The

gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the

Father of Light.


There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced,

nothing fickle. 18 He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of

all his creatures.


Fight the good fight, stay the course. Everything good comes from God in heaven. God did not send evil and deceit to get us. We are his greatest creation, He sent us The True Word Jesus to lead us to life so He can show off His Creation.

Act on What You Hear

19 Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. 20 God’s righteousness doesn't

grow from human anger.


21 So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the

garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.


Listen to what The Word Jesus has to say so God can cultivate

salvation in your life. Listen more, speak less, and don’t become

angry. As God cultivates salvation in you the desire will be to throw

off the anger and garbage your life has collected.


22 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are

anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what

you hear! 23 Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in

the mirror, 24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they

are, what they look like.


25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God--the

free life!--even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no

distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person

will find delight and affirmation in the action.


26 Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is

hot air and only hot air. 27 Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach

out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against

corruption from the godless world.


The Word calls us to action! What good is an education if it is never used? If we learn how to fly an airplane and brag to everyone

saying, “I’m a pilot,” but never want to go anywhere, we’ll never

get off the ground.


When we read God’s Word then tell people how educated we are but don’t let it move our bodies into action what is

gained? NOTHING!

apr 8-14-07 james

Spiritual

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