Monthly Archives: August 2016

James

James 3:6-8

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James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
 
Like fire, the tongue’s sinful words can spread destruction rapidly, or as its accompanying smoke, those words can permeate and ruin everything around it. In its course of nature the tongue’s evil can extend beyond the individual to affect everything in his sphere of influence.Hell conjures up not just the place but the satanic host that will someday inherit it – they use the tongue as a tool for evil. The tongue is a system of iniquity that sets on fire the whole course of life, and is even set on fire by Satan . When He has your tongue, He has you. Verse 6, above, is speaking of the tongue, before we turn it over to the Spirit of God. The taming has nothing to do with domesticating animals or training them to perform. The meaning is control or dominion. Mankind can control every lesser creature, but no one can control his own tongue. Only God, by His power, can tame the tongue. In the verse 8 we see that the tongue is the most difficult thing in the world to tame. In fact, man cannot tame the tongue. Only God can tame the tongue. The only way that any of us can speak pure words is with a heart, mouth, and tongue dedicated to God. Let Jesus wash your heart in the blood of the Lamb and speak pure words from a pure heart.
James

James 3 : 1-5

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James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
 
 
Masters,meaning teachers, a word that refers to a person who functions in an official teaching or preaching capacity. This is not meant to discourage true teachers, but to warn the prospective teacher of the role’s seriousness he true Teacher of all of us is the Holy Spirit of God. He will teach us all truth. the tongue can be considered an evil part of the body. This is why it is so important to allow God to control your tongue. The words that proceed out of a man’s mouth reveal what he really is. James provided several analogies that show how the tongue, even though small, has the power to control one’s whole person and influence everything in his life. This is saying that a tongue controlled by God can cause the whole body to follow God. A ship is guided by a very small part of the whole, likewise the heart is what we really are. The mouth, speaking from that heart, reveals to the world where we stand with God. Words we speak affect those around us. If we speak evil, we will stir up strife among others. If we speak soothing words, the fire of hate and anger will be extinguished.
James

James 2 : 25-26

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James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
 
The Old Testament records the content of her faith, which was the basis of her justification before God. She demonstrated the reality of her saving faith when, at great personal risk she protected the messengers of God. James did not intend however, for those words to be a commendation of her occupation or her lying. The actions that Rahab took revealed that she had faith in God. She helped the messengers, because her faith in God was greater than her fear of men.The point of this analogy between the body and one’s faith is that both require an energizing element. The absence of that element renders the other component dead. The spiritual body that lives within this body of flesh is the part of us that will live on. When the spirit leaves the body, the life is gone. Faith that is not acted upon is like this empty shell of the body. Faith is not real, until the actions show the faith of the person.
James

James 2: 21-24

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James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
 
Abraham’s faith was tested to see if it was really faith, or just talk. He acted upon his faith, and God saved his son Isaac. Abraham had great faith. His faith had grown into complete trust in God. He knew in his heart, God could raise him from the dead. Abraham’s faith was strong enough to stand the test. The faith of Abraham was made perfect in the action he took. His act of faith helps us in difficult situations to act upon our faith. The belief of Abraham was counted unto him for righteousness. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Without acting upon the faith that we have, it is not faith at all. To be the Friend of God would be the highest honor we could be paid. God had great regard for Abraham. The works, spoken of here, are an evidence of the faith the person has. Faith saves us, but the works are a by-product of our faith. When we stand before Jesus on judgment day, He will say to His own, well done, thy good and faithful servant.
James

James 2 : 19-20

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James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
 
Many believe that just to say you believe in God is enough, but without trust in God to act upon the faith, it becomes very questionable about whether you really have faith in God, or are just saying you do.The devils believe, because they have seen God in heaven. It takes no faith at all to believe something you have seen with your own eyes. The true faith is believing in your heart in something you have not seen. Devils here, is speaking of the angels that followed Lucifer out of heaven. They tremble, because they know the terrible fate that awaits them. A vain man is an empty man which has no faith and if we are true Christians our faith shows in our works. Those who profess faith must be like this fruitful tree. Silent Christians are not fulfilling the great commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel. It is not our obligation for them to listen, but it is our obligation to tell them, if we have faith. To have faith and do absolutely nothing about it, is no faith at all.
James

James 2:14-18

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James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
 
That a man say governs the interpretation of the entire passage. James does not say that this person actually has faith, but that he claims to have it. “Faith”: is speaking of any degree of acceptance of the truths of the gospel. “Have not”:describes someone who continually lacks any external evidence of the faith he routinely claims. “Can faith save him?”We all know the answer to this is, that we are saved by faith and faith alone, but if we are saved, we will have works showing our faith. The works are a manifestation of our faith. Verse 15 is not speaking of wants in their lives; this is speaking of their needs.James is saying that just telling them to be filled will not fill that empty place in their stomach. To wish them well, without giving them a coat to warm with will not keep them warm. We must put action to our wishes. Feed them and clothe them, and then wish them well, and you will have done something.We can say we have faith, but we will not be believed, unless we have works to match up with our faith. All of these Scriptures show faith in action, or faith acted upon. Fear is the opposite of faith. To be truly faithful, we must act upon our faith. Just to sit down and say you have faith, without doing something about it, actually shows lack of faith.
A Note from Hope

David; a Bible Story: a note from Hope

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Do you like hearing stories? I do! I especially like hearing Bible stories…. one of my favorites is about David.

David was just a little boy – in fact, he was the youngest in his family. Nobody probably paid him much attention, just because he was a little kid. But he took care of his family’s sheep. In fact, he killed a bear and a lion who were trying to hurt the sheep and lambs.

Then one day God told  the prophet * to visit David’s dad’s house. God told him that  was where the new king of Israel lived.  He looked over all of David’s big brothers.  They were big and strong, but every time the prophet looked at one of David’s brothers, God whispered in his ear, “Not this one.  Don’t look at how big and strong they are, or how handsome they are. I’m looking at their hearts.”

So he went down the line to the next one. Finally there were no more big brothers.

Then the prophet asked David’s dad, “Don’t you have any more sons?” His dad said, “Just little David, who is with the sheep.”

So the prophet said to call him to the house; as soon as David walked in, the prophet knew he was the one. So the prophet anointed David with oil and told him he would be the new king. Then he prayed over him and blessed him.

I like the story of David, because sometimes people think you have to be grown up to do things for God, but little kids can serve God too (and even little dogs!)

If you’d like to read more about David in the Bible, here’s part of the story.

Here’s a color page of David playing his harp.

*a prophet is someone  who listens to God when He speaks, and tells others what He said. The prophet who visited David was named Samuel.

James

James 2: 10-13

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James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
 
This is speaking to those specifically who have not accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made as being sufficient for all sin, and are trying to keep the Mosaic law. The keeping of the law saves no one, because they cannot keep it in its entirety. The forgiveness through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ saves you. James is trying to show, in this, that by the keeping of the law, no man is saved. The keepers of the law are not Christians, because they have not accepted the full pardon through the shed blood of Jesus for their sins. The law of liberty in Jesus Christ is what Christians are under. We are not perfect, just forgiven. A person who shows no mercy and compassion for people in need demonstrates that he has never responded to the great mercy of God, and as an unredeemed person will receive only strict, unrelieved judgment in eternal hell. This is so similar to what the Lord Jesus taught. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. If you will not forgive, then you shall not be forgiven.
James

James 2: 5-9

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James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
 
God did not say it was impossible for the rich to get into heaven, just difficult. The reason for that is because the rich man has a hard time putting anything ahead of his riches. God will not take second place. For a person to come to Christ, he must humble himself before God. The humbling is much easier for the poor, because they are already in practice of being humble. James is explaining that poor men seldom oppress anyone, but it is generally the rich who oppress the poor, not the other way around. The rich sometimes hold important offices in government, and have more opportunity to oppress. The name that we are called is Christian, which means we are followers of and believers in Christ. Do we not see today Christians being pushed back on every conner, it is time we take a bold stand.! Jesus explained that loving God and loving your neighbor fulfilled all of your obligations, if you were a Christian. Jesus said in Matthew to love God with whole heart is the first commandment and to love your neighbor as thyself is the second. If you respect someone because of their wealth or position in society, you have not kept the two laws Jesus said covered all the laws.
James

James 2: 1-4

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James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
 
I believe what James is trying to say here, is that being a respecter of a person because of his station in life is not consistent with Christianity. Jesus taught that we are not to be a respecter of persons, if we are Christians. James is not condemning this unbeliever for his distracting dress, but the church’s flattering reaction to it. We can easily see from this, that the church is not for just one class of people. This, also, shows that just because a man was rich, did not mean that he could not be saved. The fact that a person was very poor, did not keep him from joining the church either. James is showing them, in this, that they had been showing preference to the rich. In God’s sight, the rich should be given no more privileges than the poor. There are many churches today that would turn away the poor man in this instance.Vile raiment might be just enough to keep them not only at the back, but completely out of the church. The outward appearance of a man does not reveal what is in his heart. The heart determines whether you are a Christian, or not. Church is not for the privileged few, but for all who seek God. We are not to judge man at all, but if we did, we would not judge fairly. We would be thinking of the flesh of man, and God looks at the heart of man.