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But what about...?

Human beings are good at deflection. When something hits too close to home personally or our camp is exposed in an unfavorable light, we are experts at trying to turn attention to someone or something else. As a prime example of this, all you need to do is watch a parent reprimanding one of their children. It's only a matter of seconds before they hear,  "But what about...? He/she started it! He/she did it too!" This is said with a whine  the appropriate aggrieved inflection to garner sympathy. However, as any parent will tell you, this does not work. No one had to teach us how to do this as kids (and adults) because it is as old as the hills or rather as old as the garden post-fall. When God confronts Adam and Eve, they go into deflection mode by trying to minimize their responsibility by shifting the blame to another. "It was the serpent... It was the woman you gave me...." Thanks to social media, we now have new venues where we can broadcast our defensive...

Lord willing...

I've been pondering Sunday's sermon on James 4:13-17.  All that happens in our lives is the will of God as ordained by His sovereignty and carried out by His providence.  So our attitude should be "as the Lord wills" not just in our speech but in how we live day to day. But what happens when the providence is bitter? I think this is where James' theme of genuine faith comes in. Genuine faith isn't faith in a situation working out according to my plans. Genuine faith banks on the character of God, no matter what. Very often when we get good news, we acknowledge that God is merciful and good.  And yes, we should praise Him. But He hasn't stopped being good or merciful when it's a bad report. The circumstance may take us to the brink, yet His character hasn't changed. Genuine faith clings to the truth that "He changes not" even when the ground gives way. Here's a beautiful quote from John G. Paton. He became a widower twice and los...

Me, myself, and I

James is not the book to read if you want to feel complacent about yourself. He doesn't mince any words about selfish ambition and bitter jealousy. In our day when narcissism has risen to new heights, we need to be reminded that these things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, because it's the heart of "You will be like God". It's easy to point the finger elsewhere, but we're all infected by this disease of me, myself, and I. Even if your pond is the size of a bathtub, you want to be the big fish. And we see it every day -  little girls manipulating and vying to be queen bee of their play group, the self promotion of politics and entertainment, the petty power plays that tear down the church, even wanting recognition for writing such an insightful blog post. So what is the antidote? The wisdom of the world is all about personal advancement, but the Gospel frees us from wanting to build our own kingdoms to pursue the kingdom of God.  We are given wisdom...

Taming the tongue

and nowadays  the fingers  ... In the sermon on James 3:1-12, Pastor Ryan stated that although the Internet wasn't alive in James' day, electronic communication isn't exempt from the charge to bridle our tongues.  Therefore, we should consider well what we "say" even if it isn't with our mouths. Tweeting, Facebook, blogging, etc. are all venues which have elevated the volume of idle words to new heights. Don't get me wrong. I think these forms of media can and have been used for the glory of God. But it's a lot easier to fire off an electronic missive without a second thought or taking the time to consider its impact. One could say, "It's my blog, so I can say what ever I want." But just because I have a pulse and an electronic soapbox doesn't necessarily mean that my opinion is beneficial. I'm not advocating milk-soppishness and politically correct "niceness" when it comes to robust declaration of the truth or de...

From Sunday's Sermon

The text from yesterday's sermon was James 1:22-25: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. A few snippets from my notes: The book of James is about sound, saving faith, but a true saving faith will be a faith that works.  Both the gospel and the totality of scriptural revelation will lead us to action. So the implication is: 1. Look into the word. If I am not in the word, what does that say about me and my profession of faith? 2. Persevere in the word.  Not perfect, but persevering - meaning we will have highs and lows, but do we we keep pressing on? 3. Take action.  Don't fall...

Testing of our faith

On Sunday, Pastor Ryan spoke on James 1:1-4.  Here's the  link to the full sermon, and a few thoughts from my notes: The testing of our faith produces steadfastness. It's not a test where we don't know the outcome.  Will we fail?  Will God ultimately reject us because of that failure?  No.  God allows trials to test a believer not to see if He will ultimately accept or reject, because we are already His.  The purpose is refining. Steadfastness - endurance or perseverance.  So don't short change the endurance process.  Let it have it's full effect which is looking more like Jesus, specifically increased hatred of sin and increased love for the holiness of God. Points to remember: 1. An overarching biblical assumption is that the goal for the Christian is to be complete in Christ. 2. We are to experience trials if we are to grow. 3. When we experience trials we can look through the lens of joy and know the outcome. 4. God sends us tri...

A Thousand Things - Christa Wells

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4 "Inspired by words of John Piper: God is doing a thousand things in every thing He does...and by the people who have moved me with testimonies of God's faithfulness in the midst of deep loss."   Lyrics here .

If any of you lacks wisdom

I've been mulling over these verses: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 I used to take these verses to mean if I need to know what to do in a given situation I should ask God and He will give the answer. However, there was always the catch that if I did not ask in faith, my lack of faith would prevent God from giving me the wisdom I sought. More often than not, the "wisdom" I was seeking was more on the lines of "God, please tell me what to do in this situation. " Not that it's wrong to pray for guidance, but often my motive was, "Tell me what to do because I don't want to make a mistake and I don...

Slow to speak

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21 We will be finishing the first chapter of James tomorrow in the ladies' study. One of the questions to be discussed is "How crucial is it that we bridle or control our tongues?" There were several passages in the New Testament for us to consider. Some other passages in the Old Testament came to mind as I was preparing for the study. Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Job 38:1-2 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips en...

Count it all joy

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 The ladies Bible study started the book of James yesterday. James' style is interesting because he gives a really short intro and then BANG! You're plunged immediately into rubber meets the road Christian living. I am so glad that God is sovereign. The things that take us by surprise are ordained by His just and loving hand. One such thing took me completely off guard tonight. I thought things were settling down, but they may be heating up again. I guess I have need of more steadfastness.