Saturating James - Chapter 1, part 1

I love the fact that God created our brains to be constantly learning and absorbing new information. I am a member of the Sisterhood of WINGS (Women In God's Service) and we are currently involved in an inductive Bible Study of the book of James. The goal is to saturate every nuance the Holy Spirit is offering on each verse of each chapter. We learned this method of study from the well-known Bible teacher Kay Arthur. It is quite a ride. We have recently finished the first chapter of James and I'd like to share with you what I see.

James, the brother of Jesus, was writing a letter to the 12 tribes. It was written around 50 AD. James wanted to reassure the followers of Christ that God is with them in their trials no matter how difficult their life becomes. Encouraging self-examination, he challenges his reader as he encourages them. He also wanted to point out the difference between empty religion and undefiled religion before God.

Did you realize that you could profit from your trials? James says absolutely you can and that you should actually rejoice that you're having trouble. After all, if you never go through any hardships, how can your faith be tested. Faith that is tested produces patience. How many times have you prayed for patience? Well, your hard times is the way God strengthens patience in you. Be joyful about what God is doing in your heart. After your patience has been strengthened, you will be lacking nothing. In other words you will be perfect and complete. Here, the scriptures aren't defining perfection as someone without flaws. It referring to the spiritually mature Christian. A mature Christian is complete when he uses and exercised his faith in day to day life.

James goes on to say that if you feel you are lacking wisdom, simply ask God for it. God gives wisdom without rebuking us for asking. There is one condition. We have to ask in faith without doubting. I can testify to the fact that this is easier said than done. If you are doubting the truth of God and His Word, you are like a piece of driftwood on the wave of the ocean being tossed around by the wind. You never know where you will wind up - probably washed up and alone on the beach. Doubting is the enemy of faith. Don't expect God to provide wisdom if you are doubting Him.

The brother of Jesus also provides perspective on the rich and the poor. In this passage a poor man is the same as a lowly brother who is humble and meek. This lowly brother should glory in the fact that he is exalted. After all, humility is prized by Jesus (remember the Sermon on the Mount). On the other hand a rich man who feels glorified by his own accomplishments and importance, is like a flower that is beautiful for a moment but withers in the hot sun and perishes. His accomplishments are temporary and not eternal. I pray that God will keep my heart humble by any means necessary.

Pure and Faultless Religion

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

I've been thinking about and trying to become saturated with this verse over the last couple of weeks. I've been re-evaluating my ideas about what it really means to "do church". I'm thinking that Jesus never really intended for church to be a building with people meeting at designated times just waiting for the hurt and lost to come to them. It seems to me that Jesus was about going to where the hurt and lost people were. It can sometimes be easy to hide from the world in order to avoid being polluted. But how can you reach to the hurting and the lost if you're hiding? I want my religion to be pure and faultless (one translation says pure and undefiled). Therefore, I must go outside the walls of "the church". I must fortify myself with the scriptures, prayer and accountability with other Christians and reach out in a way in which God has specifically designed me to do. I came across a prayer that speaks to this:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor. author unknown

The Warning

I am very fortunate to be blessed with a group of wonderful ladies who love to gather on Sunday evenings for Bible Study. Each is beautiful and unique and I thoroughly enjoy them all. Currently, we are in a study by Beth Moore called "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things". It deals with spiritual warfare and it has truly been an eye-opener. I have been encouraged to be alert at all times to the schemes and lies of the enemy who is roaming and roaring like a hungry lion to devour me - or more specifically my testimony. Here a the prin3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.ciple questions listed in the first week's homework under the title of: The Warning.

1. 1. What does 2 Corinthians 11:3 say Paul feared for the Christians of his day?

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your
minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to
Christ

Paul was concerned that the Christians of his day would be deceived by the serpent and led astray just like Eve was. It is important to note that Paul is taking about people who are devoted to Christ, not people who are living an ungodly life. We are all in danger of seduction and we must be ever watchful and alert.

2. What does Luke 10:18 suggest about Satan's present power?

He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Satan is the prince of this world. He is like a lame-duck president who has temporary authority but will give his power up Jesus returns. Satan is angry because he knows his reign is temporary.

3. According to 2 Timothy 2:26 what is Satan's objective?

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will

Satan wants to make the clean feel unclean. He wants to take Christians captive to do his will. He does this through temptation and trials. We can fight against the influence of the enemy by choosing to behave out of what we know is truth rather than how we feel.

4. What does Hebrews 10:24-25 tell believers to do?

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching

Many who report beging seduced by Satan describe feeling isolated and alone. Clearly the enemy loves isolation. He wants nothing more than to draw the believer away from the healthy relationships with other believers. Afterall, other believers might recognize the seduction and warn the one under attack of the danger. Hebrews tells us to meet together often so that we can encourage each other and cheer each other on. If we are involved with anything that is separating us from godly people, we must beware.

5. According to 1 John 5:18, how would you explain the difference between Satan's being able to attack us and not being able to grasp us?

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.

A born again believer cannot continue in sin because the seed of God is in him (I John 3:9) The enemy and his demons can attack and have some temporary control but it won't be for eternity because God keeps his children safe. It is the diving presence of Christ within the believer that preserves him against all evil. The wicked one cannot grip, grasp, or lay hold of the true Christian.

Father I pray that I will always hang on to the simplicity that is in Christ who is the one ultimate influence. Keep me awake and watchful. May I walk continuously in prayer and daily surrender. Amen

Unity

Many times, I have been somewhat puzzled by how to "be of one mind" with other Christians. After all, we are all different and unique with different personalities and life experiences.But it is the different opinions and conclusions drawn by each individual that leaves me confused at times. When we are reading the same Bible, attending the same church and worshiping the same Savior, how can it be that we think so differently? Of course this is the basis for much quarreling and heated discussion within the church family. But at the end of the discourse, there are still differences. With that being said, how is it possible to be of "one mind " and actually live in peace? How can we have true unity with so many differences?I must admit that I struggle with this concept. I am definitely a team player who doesn't like to spend precious time finding common ground with someone on my team when there is a big goal ahead of me that needs my focus and attention. But, I'm not very realistic in that regard and it is an area in which the Lord is teaching me patience.

As long as the body of Christ is made up of humans, there will be differences.The 13th chapter of 2 Corinthians has given me some insight into what living in unity really means. Verse 11 says:

Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

According to this verse, the first step of unity is to aim for perfection. Well, there is another instruction that seems impossible for this mere human. Jeanne McCoullough of WOW points out what Christian perfection is not. It is not:

1. an absolute perfection that only God has

2. an angelic perfection they have because they have never fallen

3. an Adamic perfection that man had in his original state before sin

4. a perfection of knowledge that is not possible for man because his intellect was darkened when sin was introduced

5. an immunity from temptation. Jesus was the only one who was tempted and never sinned.

In other words, perfection for the Christian is not a result of a victorious human effort but it is most definitely a result of the Work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in the heart of man as a result of faith in the blood of Jesus. Christian perfection is spiritual maturity brought by time, growth, trial and development. It never ends but brings about more faith, love,devotion, patience and discipline. Paul was telling the Corinthians there could be not unity among the believers unless they would strive for perfection within themselves. With Christian perfection comes the grace needed to bring human tendencies and self-centeredness under the authority of Jesus.

What does it mean to strive for perfection? It is more than a mind-set although it certainly must start with a decision to be transformed. 2 Peter 3:14 reminds me to make every effort to be spotless and blameless before God and Colossians 1:21-23 tells me to offer my body as a living sacrifice. Through the Holy Spirit, I have the ability to sacrifice myself to Bible study, prayer, solitude, worship, service...just to name a few. It looks like if I am to have unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I have to work on myself. The rest is up to God. Unity doesn't mean agreement. It means personally striving for perfection. What a relief!

It's All Yours

Music is often called the universal language. I can certainly relate to that statement and find that it is often common ground for many who may have little else in common. Recently, the lyrics of a particular song has sunk deep into my soul because I think it underlines a very important life lesson. That life lesson is recognizing that everything belongs to God. The song I'm talking about is called "Yours " written and recorded by Stephen Curtis Chapman.

Many have heard of the tragedy that struck the Chapman family in May of this year. Their youngest daughter, 5 year old Maria was killed in the driveway of their home in Tennessee when a car accidently ran over her when backing out of the driveway. I cannot imagine the pain of such a tragedy. Selfishly, I pray I never have to.

Stephen Curtis Chapman had written and recorded the excellent song called "Yours" before his daughter died. However, as a result of his grieving and his experience of relying on God, Chapman added an additional verse. In light of the circumstances in which it was written, it speaks volumes.

"I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow

So deep and dark that I could barely breathe

I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear

And questioned everything that I believe

But still even herein this great darkness

A comfort and hope come breaking through

As I can say in life or death

God we belong to you"

Whenever I hear this songs on the radio, I can't help but praise God. I praise God because He can use the worst circumstance imaginable to deepen the spiritual walk of his children. Not only that but he can use such awfulness to touch the hearts of others and draw them closer to Him. What a God we have!

I pray that I will follow the example set by Stephen Curtis Chapman and declare that every thing belongs to God. What freedom comes with that prayer! Such a stress reliever! Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing Stephen. I doubt you'll ever know the impact this has had on other people.

Shock

I have spent the last week or so picking my chin up off the ground.

I have been truly surprised by the beliefs of some of my fellow Christians. I found myself in one of those moments when you thought that some one was surely joking; and then you realize that they are serious. It takes a while to digest. Then I am surprised by my naivety. I have now progressed to the sorrow phase because I believe that these friends whom I greatly respect have been deceived. I'm left wondering how an issue that is so black and white to me is so complicated to other Christians. The issue I am talking about is abortion and the responsibility of the Christian voter in the upcoming elections. Christians with whom I work shoulder to shoulder in ministry do not believe it is their resposibility to overturn Roe v. Wade. I am shocked but more than that, I am sorrowful because of the impact that this way of thinking will have on the innocent unborn children who are being killed. How can Christians who read the same Bible, have such opposite views of rescuing unborn babies? As I have prayed about this, I have come to a couple of conclusions.

One conclusion is that we now have a generation of young adults that have grown up in a culture in which abortion is not only legal but is common. It is glorified on TV as a "right" and is offered up in our society as a legitimate method of birth control with no consequences to the woman or to society. I was in college when abortion became legal -meaning I grew up in a culture where it was was not an option. I can remember all the arguments made: that morality should not be legislated and that women should have decision making power over their own bodies. Then abortionists hired an advertisement firm to spin their position to the public for them and the term "Pro-Choice" was born. It was brilliant. Everyone wants a choice, right? It certainly sounds better than abortionist. And, it worked. Call a pro-choicer an abortionist today and watch the hair raise on the back of their neck. I can remember well the first girl I knew that had an abortion. She lived down the hall from me in the dorm. Actually, this was before it was legalized. She was able to abort her baby because her Dad was a Doctor and one of his partners did it. However, my point is that the entire campus was shocked by the news that she aborted her baby. The commom response was disbelief that she callously ended the life instead of giving the baby up for adoption. But what about today? Am I shocked when I hear of someone having an abortion? Are my young adult children shocked? Not really, because it is much more common and accessable and plastered into many TV story lines. So, I am longing for the days I remember when abortion was not used as birth control. The current generation of young adults have no idea what it is like to live in a society free of such an atrosity. When asked to vote for a candidate who would fight to end abortion, they don't feel the urgency that I do.

Another conclusion I have come to is that we are also experiencing a generation of young adults who grew up in public schools (dare I call them government schools?) in which prayer has been eliminated. Not only prayer but most references to Judeo-Christian principles and ethics. Public school kids are even taught that the constitution says that the church and state should be separate! (In case you didn't know, the constitution doesn't say that - look it up for yourself) Consequently, there is no teaching of morality in the public schools. Furthermore, there is no teaching of a Godly world view. As a result, we have kids who grow up in Christian homes, become Christians themselves, and attend church but compartmentalize their Christianity. By this I mean that they don't incorporate the Bible into their everyday decision making process much less their decision making regarding which candidate to vote for the President of the United States. Because of this I believe Christians should educate their children in Christian Schools where they are taught a Godly world view as well as a curriculum integrated with the principles of the Bible.

In conlusion, I have purposed to remember that I am part of a community of believers with different backgrounds and life experiences. The Bible tells me to "bear with" others. This means that I don't have to understand them or agree with them - just pray for them. And, vote!

I Want to Smell Like Jesus

One of the things I loved about having no electricity for a week was the fact that it gave me an excuse to use all the wonderful fragrant candles I have. I even bought a few more just so we could have a little extra light in the evenings. And oh, did my house smell good! My husband really got into it too, and now he is a big fan of scented candles.

Another fragrant indulgence I have is shower gels from Bath and Body Works. My daughter and I wait until they go on sale and then we stock up for the next 6 months. I actually have a cabinet full of shower gels and lotions that smell like every flower and fruit under the sun. It is also handy to have then available for the last minute gifts. I guess I just like to smell good.

I've been meditating on the words of 2 Corinthians this week.

14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

I have never thought of myself as smelling good to God. My prayer is that He uses me to be the good-smelling candle in the lives of those who are in darkness. I want to smell like the fragrance of one who knows Him personally. I want God to breathe in and say, Yes, this smells wonderful!