James 1:5-8
5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
This has been a struggle with me over the last few days when I first read these verse. I felt something trying to affect me but I just could not find meaning to it or ideas to process. I first wrote that I am a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Why? I feel that way so I'll start by being honest to myself. We know we would like things this way specifically but will compromise to another idea instead of adhering to the original plans. I then starting talking about my own prayer life about how I understand God could do amazing things through prayer but he might not do them for me also that we can at anytime ask God for more wisdom. Practically thats what I said word for word on my first visit to this verse but now I feel the idea of what James was going for here in this opening statement.
I was that double minded man. James goes so far as pointing fingers I would say quickly in this verse. James says that "[we] should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault." A hard switch from what he first states to put up the good fight even through the trials to making us feel the conviction about our character. James goes on a lot throughout most of this book that Christians should walk with integrity and anything less is hypocritical. Feels judgmental in a view to a new Christian most likely but when you are so far in the walk as someone such as me, this is like, "Seriously, I know this rock is there, why am I still forcing myself to stumble over it." This could be in numerous situations but the conviction that hits me is this was in response to how people pray.
We ask in belief that it will be given to us. It being Wisdom here not ANYTHING which is what lots of people hear that if you "believe" enough it will be given to you. This is completing in regards to wisdom in the Lord, if I understand God at all is that Wisdom is something that God would love to give without reserve but when we come to him in the double minded manner of yes, God can do this, but is he really? To put it another way:God could do amazing things through prayer but he might not do them for me. Look familiar? God wants us to be confident in asking something such as this. Even reminds me a little of this verse.
Luke 11:11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?"
If we ask God in good faith for something like Wisdom, I don't think he would hold it back, especially if its something to understand and improve our character and walk with God especially asked in humility. Why can't we put that into practice? Its not that hard, we understand it, know that its happened plenty of times to others around us and even other stories in the bible. We can "Yes we know lots about God," but when talking the talk comes to walking the walk, we seem to have our faces grinding on the dirt. Pastor Kevin even explaining it to me that we know God, but we must KNOW God. Its easy to get a bullet list out and start creating a God, to give concrete form to the miraculous unseen God, even further disrespecting him. What does it come down is we believe but we must overcome our unbelief. WHAT?! See how James was talking about this double minded man, this statement sums it up pretty well, written out its confusing but I am sure you come to a sense of understanding from it.
Mark 9:21-29
Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."
This kind can only come out only by prayer. Speaking of the man's honesty in his belief and contrasting nature inside him and its even a quality with the disciples who also had this issue of unbelief to heal, move mountains, and drive out demons. The first spot is realizing we again are trying to form this concrete idea of God to live by, but God is not a bulleted list. We must acknowledge who he really is and break down in prayer to break down out unbelief that we carry. Prayer is always first, nothing serves its rightful purpose if its outside of God's Grace.
I can Only Imagine what God will be like but I will not be able to fully grasp who he really is here.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Study of James Starts Now
James 1:1
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings."
James was the brother of Jesus, in earthly terms, and wrote this to many of the Christians scattered throughout the lands that faced heavy persecution, so bad as they probably lived meagerly and sometimes even running from people intended on taking their life. This message was written for Christians everywhere and applies even today though we might now be in such bad terms as those he wrote it too it still gives us great insight into our walk, I would even say to those confused about what living for Christ really meant. Who else joined Christianity thinking it was easy street here on?
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Maybe easy street if you find "trials of many kinds" enjoyable? To talk in this tone about it upsets me, for these trials he referred to of that time correlate to many horrors done now. We just don't see it here. The first thing that sticks out to me is that we are to consider it PURE JOY when facing these trials. Seriously we are suppose to be enjoying possibly being killed, harmed, or ridiculed? Sounds like something hard to grasp but it comes at a part about the 'power to serve under' has a greater power over the "power over." Scared for your life, a man holding a gun to your head might persuade you, but does not transform your heart or just create hate for them? Thats what the power over creates is this hateful society, but the one Jesus laid down uses love and serves them.
Like the story Pastor Nate said about the Christians Soldiers forced to stand on this lake in the middle of a storm, given the choice to renounce faith and get warm or die. Out of the 40 on the lake only 1 of them choose to get warm. Another soldier not of the 40 was so moved by their faith that he stripped his clothes to go stand with them singing praises to God. I don't know the source of this story but why can't our faith be like that, Something about having immovable faith gains respect among people so far that many find our faith attractive for that reason alone.
The next thing that spoke to me was what was spoke about perseverance brought to us by those trials. "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Christian life from this verse does not make it seem so "easy or happy" but rather that our maturity comes out of serving others and experiencing the "pains" that might come through it. Witnessing requires lots of sacrifice, such as comfort, luxury, and even up to your life.
This will be a start of a study through James. I feel moved to finish studying it in this manner and might have to make references in future ones so please keep in prayer and maybe studying along side with me. Their is a lot of stuff packed into such few verses that I decided to cut this off at verse 4 instead of my original 8 verses. Since Nevada is pushing its annual rainfall this year I was thinking aboutGrace Like Rain worship song. Hope you enjoy.
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings."
James was the brother of Jesus, in earthly terms, and wrote this to many of the Christians scattered throughout the lands that faced heavy persecution, so bad as they probably lived meagerly and sometimes even running from people intended on taking their life. This message was written for Christians everywhere and applies even today though we might now be in such bad terms as those he wrote it too it still gives us great insight into our walk, I would even say to those confused about what living for Christ really meant. Who else joined Christianity thinking it was easy street here on?
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Maybe easy street if you find "trials of many kinds" enjoyable? To talk in this tone about it upsets me, for these trials he referred to of that time correlate to many horrors done now. We just don't see it here. The first thing that sticks out to me is that we are to consider it PURE JOY when facing these trials. Seriously we are suppose to be enjoying possibly being killed, harmed, or ridiculed? Sounds like something hard to grasp but it comes at a part about the 'power to serve under' has a greater power over the "power over." Scared for your life, a man holding a gun to your head might persuade you, but does not transform your heart or just create hate for them? Thats what the power over creates is this hateful society, but the one Jesus laid down uses love and serves them.
Like the story Pastor Nate said about the Christians Soldiers forced to stand on this lake in the middle of a storm, given the choice to renounce faith and get warm or die. Out of the 40 on the lake only 1 of them choose to get warm. Another soldier not of the 40 was so moved by their faith that he stripped his clothes to go stand with them singing praises to God. I don't know the source of this story but why can't our faith be like that, Something about having immovable faith gains respect among people so far that many find our faith attractive for that reason alone.
The next thing that spoke to me was what was spoke about perseverance brought to us by those trials. "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Christian life from this verse does not make it seem so "easy or happy" but rather that our maturity comes out of serving others and experiencing the "pains" that might come through it. Witnessing requires lots of sacrifice, such as comfort, luxury, and even up to your life.
This will be a start of a study through James. I feel moved to finish studying it in this manner and might have to make references in future ones so please keep in prayer and maybe studying along side with me. Their is a lot of stuff packed into such few verses that I decided to cut this off at verse 4 instead of my original 8 verses. Since Nevada is pushing its annual rainfall this year I was thinking aboutGrace Like Rain worship song. Hope you enjoy.
Now that I have all the Power...
... lets wash some dirty feet.
John 13:3-5 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
What Jesus displays here is not just some task anyone did, it was people of lower status who were to wash the feet of guests. This is why the disciples respond in such a way of wondering why he would do this. First Jesus knows that "the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God," meaning that he knew what was coming soon(that being crucification), and that he had all power to stop it. Knowing all this, and having all power, his first choice is to wash some smelly feet.
The Kingdom of God is a confusing thing to us but in this wonderful way. Its something that we don't understand but can see it working and in the confusion makes sense. Jesus taught us how to be followers of himself and it wasn't this amass knowledge, money, or looks. It was being a servant to others out of love. Not how many Christians, such as me, clenching our teeth and saying I love you. Its a genuine love. This is 'power from serving under' instead of expressing 'power with force over.' Ideally love is serving others, and thats hard for us to grasp since we are out for our own, only giving others what they "deserve." That is not the love that God taught us.
John 13:13- 17 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
John 13:3-5 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
What Jesus displays here is not just some task anyone did, it was people of lower status who were to wash the feet of guests. This is why the disciples respond in such a way of wondering why he would do this. First Jesus knows that "the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God," meaning that he knew what was coming soon(that being crucification), and that he had all power to stop it. Knowing all this, and having all power, his first choice is to wash some smelly feet.
The Kingdom of God is a confusing thing to us but in this wonderful way. Its something that we don't understand but can see it working and in the confusion makes sense. Jesus taught us how to be followers of himself and it wasn't this amass knowledge, money, or looks. It was being a servant to others out of love. Not how many Christians, such as me, clenching our teeth and saying I love you. Its a genuine love. This is 'power from serving under' instead of expressing 'power with force over.' Ideally love is serving others, and thats hard for us to grasp since we are out for our own, only giving others what they "deserve." That is not the love that God taught us.
John 13:13- 17 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
Friday, October 8, 2010
Dark is the Way, Light is the Place
Psalm 43:1-5 " Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God."
Recently I went to a concert for Anberlin, and I got this shirt from their new Album. It states Dark is the Way, Light is the Place. It got me thinking about how I viewed darkness and light. Video Games will put obvious indicators that light means good and darkness is bad. I take that same stand but with the needed adjustment that God is light.
I've been through a lot recently beating myself up about my character and who I want to be or really who does God want me to be? Turning 21 next month, finishing my Associates next semester and not knowing what I really want to be still. Really all I knew about my future was that it seemed dark and murky, not something amazing and to look forward too. Each day it was new plans and my spiritual growth was stunted. The guard I had up, my evangelistic skills were of changing faith into this convincing "sell-able" idea and not something connected to emotions and the entirety of my being as Jesus Christ should be. My want to help others was a mission to help someone for them to gain happiness since I could not find my own, not from my desire to truly help people as a Man of God (again where was I hiding this guy?). I had no surrender what so ever in my walk, instead of going to God for vindication in ALL THINGS. As my friend Benny says, "Let go and let God!" We need to let God be the one that guides us, so we can be a light onto others.
I wanted to do all these things for myself and be selfish, knowing the word and losing the application since I want to do it my way first before I listen to God or even pray about it. Seemed fine to do at first, thats only the justification we seek in ourselves or peers until I just started talking about myself in the most honest way that I could to a former youth pastor of mine. We are our own worst critics, and I am almost the epitome of that saying. In turn I was shocked at how I went about problem solving, I went from explaining things I hate about "Bad Christians" and it turned into me describing stuff about myself I though was fine. The two lists were too similar. My friend said I was similar to the Israelites, and that I shouldn't spend my time wandering about the desert fighting God every bit of the way when I know he is Lord with my best interests at hand.
Psalm 23:4 "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
I found myself in the darkness. Not knowingly submitting myself to this force to suppress what I am capable through Christ. I was sitting with no motivation in the future. Darkness became the place I sat, depressed and emotionally spent. I didn't care about anything. Darkness isn't suppose to be the place we are. We seek our refuge in God, as he lives within us. God is the Light so we can be the Light for others. LIGHT IS THE PLACE, our destination, that we thrive in for we are in fellowship with Christ. Everyone is walking around with a candle in their hands stumbling around in the dark for they do not know the light, why then knowing the light cover it up and try my own way? That's right, I am done being selfish. Let me follow the path you set before me Lord.
1 John 5-7 "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
I recommend listening to Wavorly's "How Have we Come This Far" I think I want to start doing this as an addition to my blogs.
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God."
Recently I went to a concert for Anberlin, and I got this shirt from their new Album. It states Dark is the Way, Light is the Place. It got me thinking about how I viewed darkness and light. Video Games will put obvious indicators that light means good and darkness is bad. I take that same stand but with the needed adjustment that God is light.
I've been through a lot recently beating myself up about my character and who I want to be or really who does God want me to be? Turning 21 next month, finishing my Associates next semester and not knowing what I really want to be still. Really all I knew about my future was that it seemed dark and murky, not something amazing and to look forward too. Each day it was new plans and my spiritual growth was stunted. The guard I had up, my evangelistic skills were of changing faith into this convincing "sell-able" idea and not something connected to emotions and the entirety of my being as Jesus Christ should be. My want to help others was a mission to help someone for them to gain happiness since I could not find my own, not from my desire to truly help people as a Man of God (again where was I hiding this guy?). I had no surrender what so ever in my walk, instead of going to God for vindication in ALL THINGS. As my friend Benny says, "Let go and let God!" We need to let God be the one that guides us, so we can be a light onto others.
I wanted to do all these things for myself and be selfish, knowing the word and losing the application since I want to do it my way first before I listen to God or even pray about it. Seemed fine to do at first, thats only the justification we seek in ourselves or peers until I just started talking about myself in the most honest way that I could to a former youth pastor of mine. We are our own worst critics, and I am almost the epitome of that saying. In turn I was shocked at how I went about problem solving, I went from explaining things I hate about "Bad Christians" and it turned into me describing stuff about myself I though was fine. The two lists were too similar. My friend said I was similar to the Israelites, and that I shouldn't spend my time wandering about the desert fighting God every bit of the way when I know he is Lord with my best interests at hand.
Psalm 23:4 "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
I found myself in the darkness. Not knowingly submitting myself to this force to suppress what I am capable through Christ. I was sitting with no motivation in the future. Darkness became the place I sat, depressed and emotionally spent. I didn't care about anything. Darkness isn't suppose to be the place we are. We seek our refuge in God, as he lives within us. God is the Light so we can be the Light for others. LIGHT IS THE PLACE, our destination, that we thrive in for we are in fellowship with Christ. Everyone is walking around with a candle in their hands stumbling around in the dark for they do not know the light, why then knowing the light cover it up and try my own way? That's right, I am done being selfish. Let me follow the path you set before me Lord.
1 John 5-7 "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
I recommend listening to Wavorly's "How Have we Come This Far" I think I want to start doing this as an addition to my blogs.
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