"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds," (James 1:2)
OK, so I can hear you saying... are you kidding me? Joy? Rejoice? You mean Be Happy? It is a tough one for sure; God is calling us to put on a supernatural response rather than our human response to suffering and trials. We are talking about a response that is only imbedded in us through connection with the Holy Spirit. It is a choice we need to make and make most likely on a daily basis.
In my last two Victory Calls I talked about why God allows trials and keeping the fact that God is at work foremost in our minds is what sets the foundation for us to be able to "count it all joy". I can be joyful that:
1. God is Sovereign
2. God has infinite Wisdom
3. God is perfect in Love.
So, how can you daily commit to "being joyful"?
First, we must hold on to the Word of God. "Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight" (Ps. 119:143).
Next we must remind ourselves and hold on to His promises. I mean hold on - don't let go. Hold on like you would a life jacket if you couldn't swim. Our trials have the capacity to sink us without our firm grasp on God's promises. Talk to yourself; recall to mind the promises on a regular basis - some find it very helpful to write them all over - post them wherever your eyes may go.
We are also called to be thankful in everything (Phil. 4:3-9). There is much merit in the idea of remaining positive and keeping a positive thankful heart. When we dwell in thankfulness it is difficult to stay in the pit. By staying thankful we refuse to give in to bitterness, anger and despair which only seek to destroy. Remember what Paul said... "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13).
In doing these things we are choosing to believe in God and wait on Him for answers, direction and help. (Isaiah 40:31, Ps. 40:1-3, Ps. 37:7, Romans 8:19-25) His Word tells us that He will answer and He will speak. Listen and wait and He will lift you up. "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscious, shouts in our pain." (C.S. Lewis in the Problem of Pain)
Finally Hope in the Future. Ray Pritchard states that we must make up our mind to go on with life. He formulated a principle he calls the First Law of Spiritual Progress. It states: I can't go back, I can't stay here, I must go forward. Why do we go forward? Because what lies ahead is where God is leading us. It reminds me of a childhood song... "Onward Christian Soldiers". We move forward into battle, we move forward to where God is leading. Ultimately, we are moving forward because we know that what lies ahead is FAR BETTER (Phil. 1).
"Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4).
My next victory call will be about that which we look forward to - HEAVEN! (Revelation 21:1-5)
Till then rest in the words of that great HYMN "Amazing Grace".
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come.
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor
Director, KESWICK Institute of Biblical Studies
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Watch with Me
As we've gone through the summer conference season, there have been several of our speakers who have taught on prayer. One of the ones that stands out most in my mine is a brief message by Dr. George Murray. He directed our thoughts to Jesus' time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest, trial and crucifixion.
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Matthew 26:40 (NASB)
Dr. Murray focused on the last six words of Jesus' question to His disciples and made 3 observations on prayer. First, we must pray. It's not an option. God wants and expects us to pray. The Scriptures are full of commands to pray.
pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (Matt. 5:44)
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41)
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:28)
therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:2)
The second point, and the one that really hit me the most, comes from the next two words: with Me. Jesus prays with us. He invites us to pray with Him as He brings our needs before His Father.
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
He makes intercession for us, as He prayed for His disciples (and us) while He was here on earth.
I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours (John 17:9 - read the whole chapter!).
Third, prayer takes time ... keep watch with me for one hour. Now, if you're like me, praying for an hour sounds intimidating. I run through my list and am done in five minutes and then wonder what to do with the other 55. I'm not saying an hour is some magical time frame, but prayer does take time. We wouldn't rush through a conversation with our best friend, yet we rush through prayer as though it is something to "get done" and check off our list. Probably a better concept, rather than a time, is what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) "pray without ceasing." We should always be in a mindset of prayer. Every thought, need, concern, praise, etc., should be taken to God in prayer. Anytime, anywhere, we can, and should pray.
Dr. Murray shared a great concept that comes from Ecclesiastes 8:2-3a, "I say, 'Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Do not be hasty to go from his presence.'" Now, these verses do not directly relate to prayer, but think about this. If you were invited to visit Queen Elizabeth, would you be checking your watch and in a hurry to leave? Of course not! What a rare honor it would be to be invited into the presence of a queen. Yet we're invited into the presence of the King any time we want, and we rush in and out as fast as we can, as if there are more important things to do.
I think that illustration impacted me most. How quick I am to say what I need to say and rush off to the next thing. Let us not be hasty to go from HIS presence!
Pray because we must. Remember He prays with and for us. And spend some time in prayer.
Ruth
Ruth Schmidt is on full-time staff at America's Keswick, and grateful to be a daughter of the King.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Matthew 26:40 (NASB)
Dr. Murray focused on the last six words of Jesus' question to His disciples and made 3 observations on prayer. First, we must pray. It's not an option. God wants and expects us to pray. The Scriptures are full of commands to pray.
pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (Matt. 5:44)
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41)
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:28)
therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:2)
The second point, and the one that really hit me the most, comes from the next two words: with Me. Jesus prays with us. He invites us to pray with Him as He brings our needs before His Father.
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
He makes intercession for us, as He prayed for His disciples (and us) while He was here on earth.
I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours (John 17:9 - read the whole chapter!).
Third, prayer takes time ... keep watch with me for one hour. Now, if you're like me, praying for an hour sounds intimidating. I run through my list and am done in five minutes and then wonder what to do with the other 55. I'm not saying an hour is some magical time frame, but prayer does take time. We wouldn't rush through a conversation with our best friend, yet we rush through prayer as though it is something to "get done" and check off our list. Probably a better concept, rather than a time, is what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) "pray without ceasing." We should always be in a mindset of prayer. Every thought, need, concern, praise, etc., should be taken to God in prayer. Anytime, anywhere, we can, and should pray.
Dr. Murray shared a great concept that comes from Ecclesiastes 8:2-3a, "I say, 'Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Do not be hasty to go from his presence.'" Now, these verses do not directly relate to prayer, but think about this. If you were invited to visit Queen Elizabeth, would you be checking your watch and in a hurry to leave? Of course not! What a rare honor it would be to be invited into the presence of a queen. Yet we're invited into the presence of the King any time we want, and we rush in and out as fast as we can, as if there are more important things to do.
I think that illustration impacted me most. How quick I am to say what I need to say and rush off to the next thing. Let us not be hasty to go from HIS presence!
Pray because we must. Remember He prays with and for us. And spend some time in prayer.
Ruth
Ruth Schmidt is on full-time staff at America's Keswick, and grateful to be a daughter of the King.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Monday, August 29, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:11-12
The tongue - an instrument of good but also an instrument of evil and harm. You will note in this week's verse it repeatedly cautions us not to speak evil against one another, against a brother or against the law. It is so easy to fall into the trap of evil speaking (and if not speaking...thinking ill of others).
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Commentary:
I selected this commentary specifically this week because it seems to be so practical and relevant.
"We are cautioned against the sin of evil-speaking, v. 11. We must not speak evil things of others, though they be true, unless there be some necessary occasion for it; much less must we report evil things when they are false. Our lips must be guided by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice. 1. Because you are brethren. It is required of us that we be tender of the good name of our brethren; where we cannot speak well, we had better say nothing than speak evil. 2. Because this is to judge the law. He who quarrels with his brother, and condemns him for the sake of anything not determined in the word of God, does thereby reflect on that word of God, as if it were not perfect rule. Let us take heed of judging the law, for the law of the Lord is perfect; if men break the law, leave that to judge them; if they do not break it, let us not judge them. .. 3. Because God, the Lawgiver, has reserved the power of passing the final sentence on men wholly to himself, v. 12. God is the supreme Lawgiver, who only can give law to the conscience, and who alone is to be absolutely obeyed. His right to enact laws is incontestable, because he has such a power to enforce them. He is able to save, and to destroy. He has power fully to reward the observance of his laws, and to punish all disobedience. .. It is sufficient that we have the law of God, which is a rule to us all; and therefore we should not set up other rules." [Matthew Henry's Commentary in One Volume, pg.1936]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Commentary:
I selected this commentary specifically this week because it seems to be so practical and relevant.
"We are cautioned against the sin of evil-speaking, v. 11. We must not speak evil things of others, though they be true, unless there be some necessary occasion for it; much less must we report evil things when they are false. Our lips must be guided by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice. 1. Because you are brethren. It is required of us that we be tender of the good name of our brethren; where we cannot speak well, we had better say nothing than speak evil. 2. Because this is to judge the law. He who quarrels with his brother, and condemns him for the sake of anything not determined in the word of God, does thereby reflect on that word of God, as if it were not perfect rule. Let us take heed of judging the law, for the law of the Lord is perfect; if men break the law, leave that to judge them; if they do not break it, let us not judge them. .. 3. Because God, the Lawgiver, has reserved the power of passing the final sentence on men wholly to himself, v. 12. God is the supreme Lawgiver, who only can give law to the conscience, and who alone is to be absolutely obeyed. His right to enact laws is incontestable, because he has such a power to enforce them. He is able to save, and to destroy. He has power fully to reward the observance of his laws, and to punish all disobedience. .. It is sufficient that we have the law of God, which is a rule to us all; and therefore we should not set up other rules." [Matthew Henry's Commentary in One Volume, pg.1936]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:10 Points to Ponder
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Humility: I am by no means an expert. I fail over and over. Just when I think I have been humble I realize I'm proud of how humble I was. Is genuine humility something we move in and out of or is it something we are? I am also aware that I can APPEAR humble in my actions but not BE humble in my heart. Oh, how I long to be humble from my heart.
Even as I consider this week's verse, if I our motivation for humility is that God will exalt us, isn't that in itself pride? What motivates a genuine humble heart?
C.J. Mahaney wrote a great book, "Humility: True Greatness" and in it offers the following definition: "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness." (pg. 12)
Genuine humility is born out of not just knowledge of God's greatness, but belief based on an accurate view of God and an accurate view of self. We tend to flip flop that; we think too little of God and too much of ourselves.
Read and think through the following verses. I hope they both challenge and bless your heart.
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9
For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4
When pride comes, than comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you... 1 Peter 5:6
Do not grow disheartened; in Christ we have victory.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Humility: I am by no means an expert. I fail over and over. Just when I think I have been humble I realize I'm proud of how humble I was. Is genuine humility something we move in and out of or is it something we are? I am also aware that I can APPEAR humble in my actions but not BE humble in my heart. Oh, how I long to be humble from my heart.
Even as I consider this week's verse, if I our motivation for humility is that God will exalt us, isn't that in itself pride? What motivates a genuine humble heart?
C.J. Mahaney wrote a great book, "Humility: True Greatness" and in it offers the following definition: "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness." (pg. 12)
Genuine humility is born out of not just knowledge of God's greatness, but belief based on an accurate view of God and an accurate view of self. We tend to flip flop that; we think too little of God and too much of ourselves.
Read and think through the following verses. I hope they both challenge and bless your heart.
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9
For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4
When pride comes, than comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you... 1 Peter 5:6
Do not grow disheartened; in Christ we have victory.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
DYING TO SELF
"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24
"And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'" Luke 9:23
I was asked by a young man working with me, how do I die to self and what does this signify? I thought for a moment, then I prayed - Lord in my own life, I do know the answer, help me to bring forth your Word and understanding. My flesh with its passions and desires must die.
I looked up the word crucify in the American Heritage dictionary: "To put to death by nailing or binding to a cross." I also looked at the word deny: "To decline to grant; to restrain oneself especially from indulgence in pleasures."
After I read the definition I examined my own heart. I thought about what I felt I deserved, the feelings that bring me pleasure and my own desires, which I think I need to satisfy me. I thought about everything that I want and I should have at this moment. Then I reflected back to the question, how do I die to self? I had to surrender all of my demands and compulsions to my Father. To help me apply this, even for myself, I needed to use an illustration. I thought of a big empty wooden box. I had to put all of my passions, desires, and my will in it and nail that wooden box shut. As I nailed the wooden box I became sorrowful in the process of grieving it, to produce the realization of death to self. Having the necessity to relinquish all to Christ and trusting him.
"Truly, truly, I say to you unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal." John 12: 24-25
I choose to pick up my cross daily and follow Christ. Christ shows the true value of life. The Lord's loving-kindness is amazing beyond anything I can think of. "Because Thy loving-kindness is better than life, My lips will praise Thee. So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips." Psalm 63: 3-5
To do the will of my Father gives me the greatest joy and pleasures to have the fullness of life in Christ, also to die well. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
Now the Lord has blessed me with this illustration to go and talk to that young man. Glory to God!
Sandra Roman
Staff Member, WOC Graduate
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
"And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'" Luke 9:23
I was asked by a young man working with me, how do I die to self and what does this signify? I thought for a moment, then I prayed - Lord in my own life, I do know the answer, help me to bring forth your Word and understanding. My flesh with its passions and desires must die.
I looked up the word crucify in the American Heritage dictionary: "To put to death by nailing or binding to a cross." I also looked at the word deny: "To decline to grant; to restrain oneself especially from indulgence in pleasures."
After I read the definition I examined my own heart. I thought about what I felt I deserved, the feelings that bring me pleasure and my own desires, which I think I need to satisfy me. I thought about everything that I want and I should have at this moment. Then I reflected back to the question, how do I die to self? I had to surrender all of my demands and compulsions to my Father. To help me apply this, even for myself, I needed to use an illustration. I thought of a big empty wooden box. I had to put all of my passions, desires, and my will in it and nail that wooden box shut. As I nailed the wooden box I became sorrowful in the process of grieving it, to produce the realization of death to self. Having the necessity to relinquish all to Christ and trusting him.
"Truly, truly, I say to you unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal." John 12: 24-25
I choose to pick up my cross daily and follow Christ. Christ shows the true value of life. The Lord's loving-kindness is amazing beyond anything I can think of. "Because Thy loving-kindness is better than life, My lips will praise Thee. So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips." Psalm 63: 3-5
To do the will of my Father gives me the greatest joy and pleasures to have the fullness of life in Christ, also to die well. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
Now the Lord has blessed me with this illustration to go and talk to that young man. Glory to God!
Sandra Roman
Staff Member, WOC Graduate
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
If I were cut open, would I bleed Bible?
I know I have shared this before and I feel compelled to do so again. One of my pastors was preaching some weeks ago and made a similar statement. My answer to the question is a resounding "no," and I am ashamed to say it. If I were cut open, I am pretty sure I would bleed other things, but not Bible.
If the road to heaven were paved with good intentions, I would be well on my way there - probably accompanied by many friends and acquaintances whose lives, like mine, are literally drowning in good intentions. And I'm not talking about intentions like they were New Year's resolutions - to lose weight, watch less TV, exercise more (or START to exercise), etc.
No, I am talking about good intentions like getting up earlier to spend time in the Word and prayer; devoting more time to real, in-depth Bible study; calling or, better yet, visiting those from my church or other friends who are set aside due to illness of inability to get out for a host of other reasons. Then there are my good intentions to be less critical and judgmental, less puffed up with my own smugness, more dependent on the Lord to make my way instead of leaning on my own strength (Proverbs 3:5,6).
You see, I WANT to live wholeheartedly for Jesus, but find it so easy to get distracted by all of this other stuff that we call "life." It's an excuse and I know it full well. I wake up each morning with the "intention" of spending time in my Bible and praying, but allow Satan to distract me with a bunch of other things - stupid things. I'll go out to the porch where I read my Bible and see that the plants look a little wilted. So I take "just a minute" to give them some water. Then I sit back down and look out the window and notice a huge weed in my yard right in my line of vision. So I get up, go out and pull that weed. And, yes, while I'm out there, I pull a few more. Maybe the lilies look dry so I get the watering can to give them something to drink. By the time I go back in to sit down and get to God's business, my own business has taken all my time and I need to get ready to come to work. I console myself with the thought, "I'll read and spend time with God when I get home and don't have to rush."
Fast forward to the afternoon: I arrive home, a little hot and tired, and think, "I'll sit down for a few minutes or maybe even take a short nap." An hour later I rouse myself, and say, "Let me look at the mail, eat dinner, and I'll spend time in the Word after I clean up the kitchen. I can read and no one will be there to interrupt me so it will be nice and quiet." Hello-o-o-o. Who do I think I'm kidding? By the time I'm done putzing around in the kitchen, throwing in a load of wash, or whatever, I sit down and I find I'm too tired to stay awake. I either nod off in the chair and go sit on the bed (with the "good intention" of reading and praying), and find myself waking up a couple of hours later when it is now time to get ready for bed. And all of my good intentions are once again as "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).
I am not bleeding Bible, but laziness, selfishness and a whole other bunch of "nesses" that don't now and never will count for eternity. So my challenge for you today is really a challenge to me. Let the stuff of life go and spend time - quality time - with the only One who is deserving of prayer and praise and glory and honor.
God - I purpose in my heart to put You first before all else that might distract and deter me from spending time alone with You. Give me the discipline to put all else aside and yield to Your working in my heart and life. Amen.
Lynn Randall
Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America's KESWICK. She is active in her church and is a gifted planner and organizer. She has a real heart for people as evidenced by her care, concern and practical encouragement.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
If the road to heaven were paved with good intentions, I would be well on my way there - probably accompanied by many friends and acquaintances whose lives, like mine, are literally drowning in good intentions. And I'm not talking about intentions like they were New Year's resolutions - to lose weight, watch less TV, exercise more (or START to exercise), etc.
No, I am talking about good intentions like getting up earlier to spend time in the Word and prayer; devoting more time to real, in-depth Bible study; calling or, better yet, visiting those from my church or other friends who are set aside due to illness of inability to get out for a host of other reasons. Then there are my good intentions to be less critical and judgmental, less puffed up with my own smugness, more dependent on the Lord to make my way instead of leaning on my own strength (Proverbs 3:5,6).
You see, I WANT to live wholeheartedly for Jesus, but find it so easy to get distracted by all of this other stuff that we call "life." It's an excuse and I know it full well. I wake up each morning with the "intention" of spending time in my Bible and praying, but allow Satan to distract me with a bunch of other things - stupid things. I'll go out to the porch where I read my Bible and see that the plants look a little wilted. So I take "just a minute" to give them some water. Then I sit back down and look out the window and notice a huge weed in my yard right in my line of vision. So I get up, go out and pull that weed. And, yes, while I'm out there, I pull a few more. Maybe the lilies look dry so I get the watering can to give them something to drink. By the time I go back in to sit down and get to God's business, my own business has taken all my time and I need to get ready to come to work. I console myself with the thought, "I'll read and spend time with God when I get home and don't have to rush."
Fast forward to the afternoon: I arrive home, a little hot and tired, and think, "I'll sit down for a few minutes or maybe even take a short nap." An hour later I rouse myself, and say, "Let me look at the mail, eat dinner, and I'll spend time in the Word after I clean up the kitchen. I can read and no one will be there to interrupt me so it will be nice and quiet." Hello-o-o-o. Who do I think I'm kidding? By the time I'm done putzing around in the kitchen, throwing in a load of wash, or whatever, I sit down and I find I'm too tired to stay awake. I either nod off in the chair and go sit on the bed (with the "good intention" of reading and praying), and find myself waking up a couple of hours later when it is now time to get ready for bed. And all of my good intentions are once again as "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).
I am not bleeding Bible, but laziness, selfishness and a whole other bunch of "nesses" that don't now and never will count for eternity. So my challenge for you today is really a challenge to me. Let the stuff of life go and spend time - quality time - with the only One who is deserving of prayer and praise and glory and honor.
God - I purpose in my heart to put You first before all else that might distract and deter me from spending time alone with You. Give me the discipline to put all else aside and yield to Your working in my heart and life. Amen.
Lynn Randall
Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America's KESWICK. She is active in her church and is a gifted planner and organizer. She has a real heart for people as evidenced by her care, concern and practical encouragement.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
DO WE KNOW?
Do we really know who we are in Christ? Do we really know God's Word?
When Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted, one of the devil's tactics was to try and cause Him to question who He is. Matthew 4:3, "The tempter came to Him and said, 'If you are the Son of God......'", and again in verse 6, "'If you are the Son of God.....'"(emphasis mine). Satan wants us to doubt who we really are.
The enemy will also try to cause us to question what God says. Genesis 3:1, "He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?'"(emphasis mine). We know that is not what God said; He said they could eat from any and every tree in the garden, except for one - the tree in the middle of the garden.
Of course we know that Jesus, God in the flesh and the only perfect man who ever lived, did not fall for the devil's schemes. He KNOWS who He is. Unfortunately, Eve (and Adam) did not fare so well.
What about you and me? How well do we know who we are in Christ? Do we know that we are chosen, loved, redeemed, adopted, forgiven (Eph. 1:4-7)? (We could do an entire series on our identity in Christ, but you get my point.) How well do we know what God's Word says? Have we hidden His Word in our hearts (Ps. 119:11)?
Oh, how many countless times have I doubted who I am in Christ, or not remembered clearly what God's Word says, and my resulting actions were, let's just say NOT good.
Sisters, we need to know that we know that we know who we are in Christ, and we need to know that we know that we know what His Word says. This necessitates continual study of His Word; our imperfect, cluttered, and often confused human minds need to be reminded - OFTEN.
So when the enemy comes and whispers doubts in our ear, we can respond as Jesus did, "IT IS WRITTEN."
Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:10
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
When Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted, one of the devil's tactics was to try and cause Him to question who He is. Matthew 4:3, "The tempter came to Him and said, 'If you are the Son of God......'", and again in verse 6, "'If you are the Son of God.....'"(emphasis mine). Satan wants us to doubt who we really are.
The enemy will also try to cause us to question what God says. Genesis 3:1, "He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?'"(emphasis mine). We know that is not what God said; He said they could eat from any and every tree in the garden, except for one - the tree in the middle of the garden.
Of course we know that Jesus, God in the flesh and the only perfect man who ever lived, did not fall for the devil's schemes. He KNOWS who He is. Unfortunately, Eve (and Adam) did not fare so well.
What about you and me? How well do we know who we are in Christ? Do we know that we are chosen, loved, redeemed, adopted, forgiven (Eph. 1:4-7)? (We could do an entire series on our identity in Christ, but you get my point.) How well do we know what God's Word says? Have we hidden His Word in our hearts (Ps. 119:11)?
Oh, how many countless times have I doubted who I am in Christ, or not remembered clearly what God's Word says, and my resulting actions were, let's just say NOT good.
Sisters, we need to know that we know that we know who we are in Christ, and we need to know that we know that we know what His Word says. This necessitates continual study of His Word; our imperfect, cluttered, and often confused human minds need to be reminded - OFTEN.
So when the enemy comes and whispers doubts in our ear, we can respond as Jesus did, "IT IS WRITTEN."
Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:10
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:10 with Commentary
Everywhere I turn people are talking about James, the book of James that is. I so enjoy how practical this letter is. I hope you are gleaning much from your reading, meditations and study. This week our topic is humility.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Commentary:
Returning to the theme emphasized in v.6, it is the humble whom God will exalt...But as long as people exalt themselves, God will not exalt them. [ESV Study Bible, study notes, pg. 2397]
"This final command sums up the preceding nine ...commands*, which mark the truly humble person. Humble comes from a word meaning "to make one-self low." Those conscious of being in the presence of the majestic, infinitely holy God are humble..." [The MacArthur Bible Commentary, by John MacArthur pg.1894]
*(not part of the quote) submit, resist the devil, draw near to God, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, mourn, weep, let your laughter turn to mourning, let your joy turn to gloom-remember last week we saw this was not contrary to the Victorious Christian abundant life but rather our attitude about our sin.
Today, would you be bold enough to ask God to show you ways you are not humble?
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Commentary:
Returning to the theme emphasized in v.6, it is the humble whom God will exalt...But as long as people exalt themselves, God will not exalt them. [ESV Study Bible, study notes, pg. 2397]
"This final command sums up the preceding nine ...commands*, which mark the truly humble person. Humble comes from a word meaning "to make one-self low." Those conscious of being in the presence of the majestic, infinitely holy God are humble..." [The MacArthur Bible Commentary, by John MacArthur pg.1894]
*(not part of the quote) submit, resist the devil, draw near to God, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, mourn, weep, let your laughter turn to mourning, let your joy turn to gloom-remember last week we saw this was not contrary to the Victorious Christian abundant life but rather our attitude about our sin.
Today, would you be bold enough to ask God to show you ways you are not humble?
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:8-9
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom."
Points to Ponder:
Doesn't this verse strike you rather odd? Be wretched and mourn and weep? That doesn't sound like the Victorious Christian life, does it? Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom? That doesn't sound like the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.
It seems to me, that we (myself included) tend to take our sin so casually. When was the last time I was broken, really broken over my sin? I'm not suggesting morbid introspection but are we grieved over our sin?
Lest we get stuck in the sorrow, my pastor used to say, "For every one look at our sin, we should take ten looks at the cross." He did not say, "we're saved we no longer need to look at our sin - it's forgiven." I believe we can lose our heart of genuine repentance if we rush past our sin, "because it's forgiven."
Let us take seriously our sin and our desperate need for a Savior for each one, and then rejoice in the cross and forgiveness.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Points to Ponder:
Doesn't this verse strike you rather odd? Be wretched and mourn and weep? That doesn't sound like the Victorious Christian life, does it? Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom? That doesn't sound like the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.
It seems to me, that we (myself included) tend to take our sin so casually. When was the last time I was broken, really broken over my sin? I'm not suggesting morbid introspection but are we grieved over our sin?
Lest we get stuck in the sorrow, my pastor used to say, "For every one look at our sin, we should take ten looks at the cross." He did not say, "we're saved we no longer need to look at our sin - it's forgiven." I believe we can lose our heart of genuine repentance if we rush past our sin, "because it's forgiven."
Let us take seriously our sin and our desperate need for a Savior for each one, and then rejoice in the cross and forgiveness.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Psalm 122
A song of Ascents. Of David.
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD. For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces." For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you." Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. (NKJ)
It is always a good time to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. To help you get started please consider the following prayer points:
1. Prayer for the government leaders of the nation of Israel, in particular Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Prime Minister of Defense Ehud Barak. Pray that the Lord will reveal His strategy to protect and defend the nation of Israel from its enemies. Pray that leaders would make decisions in agreement with that strategy. Pray that leaders will come to know Jesus as Messiah, Lord and Savior. (1 Tim.2:1-4)
2. Pray for the gift of discernment of spirits to be released upon the body of Christ in Israel. That they will discern what is of God and what is not. (Hebrews 5:14)
3. Pray for an increase in intercessors among the body of Christ throughout the Middle East to pray for their own nations. That the every curse, every mindset and every lofty thing that sets itself against the truth of Christ be broken. (2 Cor. 10:4-5)
4. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and that all in Israel will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2: 4; Ps. 122: 6-9)
5. Pray that our nation will bless Israel. (Ps. 122:6)
Patricia L. Wenzel
Graduate, Woman of Character
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
A song of Ascents. Of David.
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD. For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces." For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you." Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. (NKJ)
It is always a good time to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. To help you get started please consider the following prayer points:
1. Prayer for the government leaders of the nation of Israel, in particular Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Prime Minister of Defense Ehud Barak. Pray that the Lord will reveal His strategy to protect and defend the nation of Israel from its enemies. Pray that leaders would make decisions in agreement with that strategy. Pray that leaders will come to know Jesus as Messiah, Lord and Savior. (1 Tim.2:1-4)
2. Pray for the gift of discernment of spirits to be released upon the body of Christ in Israel. That they will discern what is of God and what is not. (Hebrews 5:14)
3. Pray for an increase in intercessors among the body of Christ throughout the Middle East to pray for their own nations. That the every curse, every mindset and every lofty thing that sets itself against the truth of Christ be broken. (2 Cor. 10:4-5)
4. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and that all in Israel will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2: 4; Ps. 122: 6-9)
5. Pray that our nation will bless Israel. (Ps. 122:6)
Patricia L. Wenzel
Graduate, Woman of Character
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Answering the "Why" Question
"In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider - God has made the one as well as the other... " (Eccl. 7:14)
We must understand God's chief purpose for us is to be conformed to the image of Christ. "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)
If we are going to endure suffering, however, we must also understand that there are other purposes and reasons for our trials as they are related to the chief purpose. Below are just a few of those reasons.
1. We suffer because we live in a fallen world and it often falls on us... Satan is alive and well on planet earth. (1 Peter 5:8)
2. We suffer because of our own foolishness. We reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-9).
3. We sometimes suffer because it is God's discipline. "For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son He receives" (Heb. 12:6).
4. We suffer persecution because of our faith - when we take a stand on biblical issues, i.e., suffering for righteousness sake (2 Tim. 3:12).
5. We suffer to develop our capacity and sympathy in comforting others (2 Cor. 1:3-5).
6. We suffer to keep down pride (2 Cor. 12:7).
7. We suffer because it is a training tool. (Heb. 12:5f; 1 Peter 1:6; James 1:2-4). It is designed as:
* A discipline for sin to bring us back into fellowship (Ps. 32:3-5; 119:67)
* A pruning tool (Ps. 16:7; 119:67, 71)
* A tool for growth which is designed to help us rely on the Lord and His Word (Ps. 119:71, 92; 1 Peter 1:6; James 1:2-4; Ps. 4:1) and to learn to wait on the Lord only (Ps. 62:1-8)
Jerry Bridges in Is God really in Control? probably says it the most clearly, "God in His love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about."
8. As a means to bring about continued dependence on the grace and power of God. To cause us to walk by God's ability, power, and provision rather than our own (2 Cor. 11:24-32; 12: 7-10; Eph. 6:10; Ex. 17:8). It causes us to turn from our resources to His resources.
9. We suffer to manifest the evil nature of evil men and the righteousness of the justice of God when it falls into judgment (1 Thess. 2:14-16). Suffering at the hands of people (persecution, violent treatments) is used of God to "fill up the measure of their sins." It shows their evil character and the justice of God's judgment when it falls.
10. We suffer to broaden our ministries (Phil. 1:12-14 with 4:5-9). It opens doors we could never imagine. "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Let me encourage you on your journey with these words from Margaret Clarkson: "God is the Lord of human history and of the personal history of every member of His redeemed family."
Your trials and suffering are in His sovereign hands - in that you can rejoice. (James 1:2; Phil. 4:4)
Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor
Director of Biblical Counseling
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
God's Provision
There are times when I am on the road for work. I have told Diane that if I got paid by the u-turn I would be rich. One day I was once again making a u-turn. I thought I was in the right place but quickly realized I was not. The road took me to an area where I saw a young mother and her daughter riding bikes. I stopped to ask her if she knew the road I was looking for. She went to ask someone because she was not sure. While I waited for her I saw a home that looked like it had seen better days. With my judgmental thinking, "How could people live there?" and "What a dump!" running through my head I saw a small sign in the window that read "God's Provision". I was cut to the heart. The folks living here were grateful. These folks were content to know that God had provided for their needs. I was just judgmental and full of pride.
Our area has seen some pretty nasty storms lately and I wonder if I lost everything to one type of disaster or another, would I be able to see God's provision? What if His provision was a home that had seen better days yet provided shelter, a place to sleep and my basic needs were met? Jonah was provided a tree for his comfort. (Jonah 4) When the worm ate it he was unhappy and his concern was only for his comfort not his obedience to the next thing God was calling him to do.
What if it isn't about where you live but who you live with? Do we look at our husbands and think about all the improvements that need to be made rather than the good that God is providing through them? How about the kids? We might be quick to think, "They really haven't lived up to my expectations". Yet, these are the children that God gave us as gifts. Do we just push the gift aside because we have become judgmental and our pride is hurt? At the least, the people in our lives have been provided to sandpaper our rough edges. They are God's provision for the work He wants to accomplish in each of us.
Maybe it is another challenge of life that keeps you from recognizing God's provision. A loss, a health concern or a deep hurt. You may be wondering where God is or when He might deliver. In the midst of it, you may have to look beyond the obvious for God's provision. If we are honest, we often have expectations of what God's gifts look like. We prefer the nicer accommodations, not the rundown home.
I know it can really stink where you are. Corrie Ten Boom was thankful for fleas & lice, which kept the Nazi guards at a distance so she could lead a Bible Study in a concentration camp. God's provision was lice. Today, can we be grateful for God's provisions even if they don't look the way we think they should?
Blessings,
Kathy Withers
Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 25 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Our area has seen some pretty nasty storms lately and I wonder if I lost everything to one type of disaster or another, would I be able to see God's provision? What if His provision was a home that had seen better days yet provided shelter, a place to sleep and my basic needs were met? Jonah was provided a tree for his comfort. (Jonah 4) When the worm ate it he was unhappy and his concern was only for his comfort not his obedience to the next thing God was calling him to do.
What if it isn't about where you live but who you live with? Do we look at our husbands and think about all the improvements that need to be made rather than the good that God is providing through them? How about the kids? We might be quick to think, "They really haven't lived up to my expectations". Yet, these are the children that God gave us as gifts. Do we just push the gift aside because we have become judgmental and our pride is hurt? At the least, the people in our lives have been provided to sandpaper our rough edges. They are God's provision for the work He wants to accomplish in each of us.
Maybe it is another challenge of life that keeps you from recognizing God's provision. A loss, a health concern or a deep hurt. You may be wondering where God is or when He might deliver. In the midst of it, you may have to look beyond the obvious for God's provision. If we are honest, we often have expectations of what God's gifts look like. We prefer the nicer accommodations, not the rundown home.
I know it can really stink where you are. Corrie Ten Boom was thankful for fleas & lice, which kept the Nazi guards at a distance so she could lead a Bible Study in a concentration camp. God's provision was lice. Today, can we be grateful for God's provisions even if they don't look the way we think they should?
Blessings,
Kathy Withers
Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 25 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:8-9
It has been very interesting to me over the past few weeks - our Pastors have been preaching through the book of James, and two other people have approached me to share recent sermons or readings they came across on the book of James. It seems like God is trying to tell ME something, if nothing else. I have been tempted to go back and write on portions of James that I have already covered, and perhaps someday soon I will.
James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Commentary
"Draw near. Pursue an intimate love relationship with God. The concept of drawing near to God was associated originally with the Levitical priests... but eventually came to describe anyone's approach to God....Salvation involves more than submitting to God and resisting the devil; the redeemed heart longs for communion with God...Cleanse your hands. The OT priests had to ceremonially wash their hands before approaching God..., and sinners (a term used only for unbelievers...) who would approach Him must recognize and confess their sin. Purify your hearts. Cleansing the hands symbolizes eternal behavior; this phrase refers to the inner thoughts, motives, and desires of the heart... "[The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur pg 1893-1894]
"Cleanse and purify are OT terms for ritual purity ...and ethical purity. Laughter shows how casually James's readers were treating their sin. The only proper reaction to God's impending judgment is to be wretched and mourn and weep, as is seen often in the OT..." [ESV Study Bible, study notes pg 2397]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Commentary
"Draw near. Pursue an intimate love relationship with God. The concept of drawing near to God was associated originally with the Levitical priests... but eventually came to describe anyone's approach to God....Salvation involves more than submitting to God and resisting the devil; the redeemed heart longs for communion with God...Cleanse your hands. The OT priests had to ceremonially wash their hands before approaching God..., and sinners (a term used only for unbelievers...) who would approach Him must recognize and confess their sin. Purify your hearts. Cleansing the hands symbolizes eternal behavior; this phrase refers to the inner thoughts, motives, and desires of the heart... "[The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur pg 1893-1894]
"Cleanse and purify are OT terms for ritual purity ...and ethical purity. Laughter shows how casually James's readers were treating their sin. The only proper reaction to God's impending judgment is to be wretched and mourn and weep, as is seen often in the OT..." [ESV Study Bible, study notes pg 2397]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:7 with Points to Ponder
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Points to Ponder
I remember my children memorizing this verse as children, probably as part of a song or children's cassette tape (before the world of CDs and DVDs). It is a great verse for all of us to commit to memory. Think about it. If we try to reverse the order: Resist the devil, submit to God - we will not succeed and the devil will not flee. We cannot stand against the enemy alone. Only in the power of the Holy Spirit will we know victory and freedom.
There have been times when, at just the mention of the Name of Jesus Christ, peace floods my soul. We must believe by faith that James 4:7 is true. When we submit to God, He will empower us to resist the ways of the enemy, and then he will flee. Believe it by faith not by sight, even if it feels like he lingers.
A few suggestions:
Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs - sing praise and worship music.
Rehearse the attributes of God, meditating on each truth.
Speak the name of Jesus.
Pray.
Rejoice in the presence and power of Jesus Christ.
Read and meditate on the promises of God.
Don't allow the enemy to "win" by distracting you from your delight, praise and love for the One True God.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Points to Ponder
I remember my children memorizing this verse as children, probably as part of a song or children's cassette tape (before the world of CDs and DVDs). It is a great verse for all of us to commit to memory. Think about it. If we try to reverse the order: Resist the devil, submit to God - we will not succeed and the devil will not flee. We cannot stand against the enemy alone. Only in the power of the Holy Spirit will we know victory and freedom.
There have been times when, at just the mention of the Name of Jesus Christ, peace floods my soul. We must believe by faith that James 4:7 is true. When we submit to God, He will empower us to resist the ways of the enemy, and then he will flee. Believe it by faith not by sight, even if it feels like he lingers.
A few suggestions:
Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs - sing praise and worship music.
Rehearse the attributes of God, meditating on each truth.
Speak the name of Jesus.
Pray.
Rejoice in the presence and power of Jesus Christ.
Read and meditate on the promises of God.
Don't allow the enemy to "win" by distracting you from your delight, praise and love for the One True God.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Good Samaritan - Part Three of Three
Luke 10:25-37
We have been digging deep into the story of the Good Samaritan. This is the third and last part of a three-part devotional. I would encourage you to review the first two devotionals before reading this final one.
Victory Call regulars have been studying the book of James for some time. James 1:26-27 defines "religion" from the Christian point of view: "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." Religion, when pure, is very powerful. However when religion becomes defiled it can rob individuals of their freedom to worship a holy God by instituting man-made rules and regulations. It can produce a carnal mind that is at enmity with God. It can block moving forward into the good plan God has for our future.
Today I want to review the story of a man from scripture who appears to have undefiled religion. If the spirit of religion tempted him, he must have defeated it. It appears that he move fully into the destiny God had prepared for him. His name is Caleb. He was one of the twelve spies Moses sent out when the Israelites came to The Promised Land after their trip from Egypt. Sadly, ten of the twelve spies only saw the giants in the land and the battles that would have to be fought. Joshua and Caleb, on the other hand, trusted in God fully and were ready to move in and take the land. The people were afraid and were ready to stone Joshua and Caleb. God was not happy (Num. 13:1- 14:12). Moses had to shift into intercession for the people once again. The people would have to wait 40 years to move into the Promised Land. As for Caleb, here is what God said about him: "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it" (Numbers 14:24).
During those 40 years of waiting I do not find one word to indicate that Caleb was bitter or angry. Nowhere do I see recorded that he spoke in a way as to consider himself more important or righteous than others. It does not appear that he began to fall into doubt or unbelief though he did have to wait. In fact, after the time of waiting Caleb went into the land he was promised. He was 85 (Joshua 14:12). He and his descendants walked into the plan God has for his life. What was his "secret"? I believe it is found in the passage of the Good Samaritan. Caleb loved God with his whole heart, mind, soul and strength. He loved his neighbor as himself. Why do I say this, you may ask? I say this because God said it. As I indicated before, God is quoted as saying Caleb followed Him fully. He had a "different spirit" than others. The following verses also indicate that Caleb followed God "wholeheartedly" (Numbers 32:12; Deut. 1:35; Joshua 14:8-9,14). Caleb was sincerely and completely devoted, determined and enthusiastic about the God He served.
Now what about you and me? I would encourage you to take some time to examine yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to uncover those places where you may have embraced the spirit of religion. Then I would encourage you to get free and follow God wholeheartedly. You might start with prayer, a prayer like this:
Father in heaven, I love You with all my heart. I repent for the times I chose ritual over relationship with You. Specifically, I renounce the alliance with vain religion that I have made. I will now engage my heart regularly when I pray and worship You. Your Word is the final authority in my life. I will no longer exalt man-made traditions over Your Word. Jesus, I ask You to cleanse me from this sin. I receive Your forgiveness by faith in the blood of Your cross. I now renounce this spirit of religion. I yield to the Holy Spirit that I might worship in Spirit and Truth. Holy Spirit, help me to wholeheartedly love the Lord my God with my heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as myself. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
At the end of the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus asked the lawyer a different question. He said, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The lawyer did answer honestly, "The one who had mercy on him." That one was a Samaritan. I wonder if he walked away convicted or disgusted. Did he change his old mindset? The Bible doesn't tell us. We do know that the Pharisees and Sadducees went on to seek government assistance in the crucifixion of Jesus. The lawyer who initially asked Jesus the question about how to gain eternal life was likely a Pharisee or Sadducee.
My prayer is that you and I will take a very different route. We will seek to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength each and every day. We will love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).
Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate
Resource Materials used from: Freedom from the Religious Spirit, General Editor C. Peter Wagner; Regal Books, 2005
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:7-9
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
We have been digging deep into the story of the Good Samaritan. This is the third and last part of a three-part devotional. I would encourage you to review the first two devotionals before reading this final one.
Victory Call regulars have been studying the book of James for some time. James 1:26-27 defines "religion" from the Christian point of view: "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." Religion, when pure, is very powerful. However when religion becomes defiled it can rob individuals of their freedom to worship a holy God by instituting man-made rules and regulations. It can produce a carnal mind that is at enmity with God. It can block moving forward into the good plan God has for our future.
Today I want to review the story of a man from scripture who appears to have undefiled religion. If the spirit of religion tempted him, he must have defeated it. It appears that he move fully into the destiny God had prepared for him. His name is Caleb. He was one of the twelve spies Moses sent out when the Israelites came to The Promised Land after their trip from Egypt. Sadly, ten of the twelve spies only saw the giants in the land and the battles that would have to be fought. Joshua and Caleb, on the other hand, trusted in God fully and were ready to move in and take the land. The people were afraid and were ready to stone Joshua and Caleb. God was not happy (Num. 13:1- 14:12). Moses had to shift into intercession for the people once again. The people would have to wait 40 years to move into the Promised Land. As for Caleb, here is what God said about him: "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it" (Numbers 14:24).
During those 40 years of waiting I do not find one word to indicate that Caleb was bitter or angry. Nowhere do I see recorded that he spoke in a way as to consider himself more important or righteous than others. It does not appear that he began to fall into doubt or unbelief though he did have to wait. In fact, after the time of waiting Caleb went into the land he was promised. He was 85 (Joshua 14:12). He and his descendants walked into the plan God has for his life. What was his "secret"? I believe it is found in the passage of the Good Samaritan. Caleb loved God with his whole heart, mind, soul and strength. He loved his neighbor as himself. Why do I say this, you may ask? I say this because God said it. As I indicated before, God is quoted as saying Caleb followed Him fully. He had a "different spirit" than others. The following verses also indicate that Caleb followed God "wholeheartedly" (Numbers 32:12; Deut. 1:35; Joshua 14:8-9,14). Caleb was sincerely and completely devoted, determined and enthusiastic about the God He served.
Now what about you and me? I would encourage you to take some time to examine yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to uncover those places where you may have embraced the spirit of religion. Then I would encourage you to get free and follow God wholeheartedly. You might start with prayer, a prayer like this:
Father in heaven, I love You with all my heart. I repent for the times I chose ritual over relationship with You. Specifically, I renounce the alliance with vain religion that I have made. I will now engage my heart regularly when I pray and worship You. Your Word is the final authority in my life. I will no longer exalt man-made traditions over Your Word. Jesus, I ask You to cleanse me from this sin. I receive Your forgiveness by faith in the blood of Your cross. I now renounce this spirit of religion. I yield to the Holy Spirit that I might worship in Spirit and Truth. Holy Spirit, help me to wholeheartedly love the Lord my God with my heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as myself. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
At the end of the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus asked the lawyer a different question. He said, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The lawyer did answer honestly, "The one who had mercy on him." That one was a Samaritan. I wonder if he walked away convicted or disgusted. Did he change his old mindset? The Bible doesn't tell us. We do know that the Pharisees and Sadducees went on to seek government assistance in the crucifixion of Jesus. The lawyer who initially asked Jesus the question about how to gain eternal life was likely a Pharisee or Sadducee.
My prayer is that you and I will take a very different route. We will seek to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength each and every day. We will love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).
Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate
Resource Materials used from: Freedom from the Religious Spirit, General Editor C. Peter Wagner; Regal Books, 2005
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:7-9
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Good Samaritan - Part Two of Three
Luke 10:25-37
We left off yesterday after having reviewed the familiar Bible Story of the Good Samaritan. I suggested that Jesus might have been using this story to confront the lawyer concerning the spirit of religion.
Let us take a look at the "Symptoms of the Religious Spirit" as shared by Rev. Robert Heidler, Th.M. Rev. Heidler identified seven characteristics of those oppressed by the religious spirit:
1. An Overemphasis on Outward Form
The religious spirit wants you to say the "right" words, do the "right" things and have the "right" look. There is always a fear of what others will think. It brings with it a resistance to change and a hesitancy to try something new. For example, Saul's daughter, David's wife, was horrified by David's dance in worship as it went beyond what she was used to (2 Sam. 6:14-22). In contrast God places heart attitude above outward appearance (Mark 12:30).
2. A Sense of Condemnation and Fear
The religious spirit always condemns you if you don't "get it right". There is a continual fear of failure. It takes "risk taking" right out of you. After all, who wants to come under condemnation and fear? Yet God's mercy triumphs over justice (James 2:14b).
3. Attitude of Pride and Judgment
The religious spirit will cause you to pick up self-righteous pride in your accomplishments, a feeling that you are better than others, and a critical attitude toward those who don't measure up. Jesus wants us to do nothing out of selfish ambition and He calls us to value others as more important than ourselves (Phil. 2:3).
4. Oppressive Legalism
The religious spirit offers a legalistic system with no flexibility. It wants to produce a method that can replace a relationship with Jesus. Rather John 10:27 tells us that we can have a very personal relationship with Jesus. We can listen to His voice. He knows us. We follow Him rather than some method developed by man that is here today and gone tomorrow.
5. Need to "Figure God Out"
Religion reduces God to a subject for intellectual study. It's an attempt to put God in a box. New moves of teh Holy Spirit are rejected if they don't match up with our understanding of how God works. As if we could ever really fully understand God's ways. The prophet Isaiah wrote in chapter 55 verse 8 that God's thoughts are not our thoughts; His ways are not our ways. There is always more of Jesus to know and love.
6. A Dependence on Self-Effort
Everything depends on "YOU"! Try harder and discipline yourself more!! I think this one has hit everyone at least one time in life. Get yourself off this hook, dear one. In the kingdom of God, righteousness is obtained through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4). Righteousness flows from a relationship with Jesus. It is because of His blood we can wear His breastplate of righteousness (Eph. 6:14b).
7. Undue Emphasis on Tradition
Religion will cause you to attach great honor to the work of God in the past, while standing in opposition to His will for the present. That is what happened when a spirit caused the children of Israel to burn incense to the bronze serpent (2 Kings 18:4). God does want us to remember His great deeds in the past but without turning them into idols. He wants us to seek the Holy Spirit for direction and help in the present.
Now that we have addressed the symptoms of the religious spirit let's take a look at someone in the scripture that appears to have been free from this spirit. Watch for Part 3!!
Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate
Resource material used from: Freedom from the Religious Spirit, C Peter Wagner, General Editor, Regal Books 2005.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:7-9
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
We left off yesterday after having reviewed the familiar Bible Story of the Good Samaritan. I suggested that Jesus might have been using this story to confront the lawyer concerning the spirit of religion.
Let us take a look at the "Symptoms of the Religious Spirit" as shared by Rev. Robert Heidler, Th.M. Rev. Heidler identified seven characteristics of those oppressed by the religious spirit:
1. An Overemphasis on Outward Form
The religious spirit wants you to say the "right" words, do the "right" things and have the "right" look. There is always a fear of what others will think. It brings with it a resistance to change and a hesitancy to try something new. For example, Saul's daughter, David's wife, was horrified by David's dance in worship as it went beyond what she was used to (2 Sam. 6:14-22). In contrast God places heart attitude above outward appearance (Mark 12:30).
2. A Sense of Condemnation and Fear
The religious spirit always condemns you if you don't "get it right". There is a continual fear of failure. It takes "risk taking" right out of you. After all, who wants to come under condemnation and fear? Yet God's mercy triumphs over justice (James 2:14b).
3. Attitude of Pride and Judgment
The religious spirit will cause you to pick up self-righteous pride in your accomplishments, a feeling that you are better than others, and a critical attitude toward those who don't measure up. Jesus wants us to do nothing out of selfish ambition and He calls us to value others as more important than ourselves (Phil. 2:3).
4. Oppressive Legalism
The religious spirit offers a legalistic system with no flexibility. It wants to produce a method that can replace a relationship with Jesus. Rather John 10:27 tells us that we can have a very personal relationship with Jesus. We can listen to His voice. He knows us. We follow Him rather than some method developed by man that is here today and gone tomorrow.
5. Need to "Figure God Out"
Religion reduces God to a subject for intellectual study. It's an attempt to put God in a box. New moves of teh Holy Spirit are rejected if they don't match up with our understanding of how God works. As if we could ever really fully understand God's ways. The prophet Isaiah wrote in chapter 55 verse 8 that God's thoughts are not our thoughts; His ways are not our ways. There is always more of Jesus to know and love.
6. A Dependence on Self-Effort
Everything depends on "YOU"! Try harder and discipline yourself more!! I think this one has hit everyone at least one time in life. Get yourself off this hook, dear one. In the kingdom of God, righteousness is obtained through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4). Righteousness flows from a relationship with Jesus. It is because of His blood we can wear His breastplate of righteousness (Eph. 6:14b).
7. Undue Emphasis on Tradition
Religion will cause you to attach great honor to the work of God in the past, while standing in opposition to His will for the present. That is what happened when a spirit caused the children of Israel to burn incense to the bronze serpent (2 Kings 18:4). God does want us to remember His great deeds in the past but without turning them into idols. He wants us to seek the Holy Spirit for direction and help in the present.
Now that we have addressed the symptoms of the religious spirit let's take a look at someone in the scripture that appears to have been free from this spirit. Watch for Part 3!!
Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate
Resource material used from: Freedom from the Religious Spirit, C Peter Wagner, General Editor, Regal Books 2005.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:7-9
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
The Good Samaritan - Part One of Three
Luke 10:25-37
Our church has been using a Bible Reading Plan this year called E 100. We read two scripture passages each week that are key in the Word of God. Pastor preaches on the passages on Wednesday evenings and at Sunday morning service. It has been a real blessing and has encouraged the body to dig into the Word of God.
This week I have been reading the story of "The Good Samaritan". As I reflected upon the scripture and sought what the Lord was teaching me, it seemed the Lord continually brought me back to one theme...this story brings to light the dangers of the religious spirit.
The story is presented when a lawyer, who was likely a scribe and very familiar with the law, asked Jesus, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him with another question, "What is written in the Law?" The lawyer answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." The lawyer was not satisfied and asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied as He often would, with a story.
The story presents a person who was injured on the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Robbers left the man for dead. A priest passed him by offering no assistance, a Levite passed him by offering no assistance, and then a Samaritan arrived who not only gave him immediate care for his wounds but took him to an inn and provided the necessary funds (2 days wages) for his continued care. Amazing, God used a Samaritan to teach this learned lawyer who was likely a Pharisee or Sadducee.
Now the Jewish people did not associate with Samaritans. Samaritans were a mixed race of people. The King of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. The people took over Samaria and lived in its towns. While living in Samaria the people did not worship the LORD but rather the gods of their home nation. The King of Assyria sent a priest from the Israelites to go and teach them to worship the Lord. They did so but they continued to also worship their gods in the high places and offer sacrifices to them. Some Jews inter-married with the foreigners who were living in Samaria. To learn more about Samaritans read 2 Kings 17:24-41.
The Priests and Levites surely did not associate with Samaritans. They would never think of a Samaritan as following the Scripture more correctly then they. In addition, although the Bible does not tell us anything about the man who was injured, it is fair to say that the Priest and Levite who passed him by must have presumed that the injured man was not their "neighbor". You see, they viewed a neighbor was anyone they considered "righteous". The Samaritans therefore did not qualify. Sadly, the Priests and Levites, the Pharisees and the Sadducees did not know the truth that we are all sinners and not even one person is righteous apart from Christ. The leadership of the Temple were sadly a people who believed anyone who was "wicked" was hated by God. They did not know that although God does hate sin, He loves the sinner. Trapped in their religious system, they were not open to the revelation that Messiah was standing with them. Messiah who physically lived among them loved the sinner so much He would die on the cross. They were so stuck in "religion" they did not have eyes to see their salvation standing in front of them. That is how "religion" works. It causes us to be critical and closed to what the Holy Spirit is telling us.
Perhaps there are places you are stuck because of a spirit of religion. Please keep an eye out for part 2 of this message for more understanding and help with getting free of the spirit of religion.
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:7-9
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Our church has been using a Bible Reading Plan this year called E 100. We read two scripture passages each week that are key in the Word of God. Pastor preaches on the passages on Wednesday evenings and at Sunday morning service. It has been a real blessing and has encouraged the body to dig into the Word of God.
This week I have been reading the story of "The Good Samaritan". As I reflected upon the scripture and sought what the Lord was teaching me, it seemed the Lord continually brought me back to one theme...this story brings to light the dangers of the religious spirit.
The story is presented when a lawyer, who was likely a scribe and very familiar with the law, asked Jesus, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him with another question, "What is written in the Law?" The lawyer answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." The lawyer was not satisfied and asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied as He often would, with a story.
The story presents a person who was injured on the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Robbers left the man for dead. A priest passed him by offering no assistance, a Levite passed him by offering no assistance, and then a Samaritan arrived who not only gave him immediate care for his wounds but took him to an inn and provided the necessary funds (2 days wages) for his continued care. Amazing, God used a Samaritan to teach this learned lawyer who was likely a Pharisee or Sadducee.
Now the Jewish people did not associate with Samaritans. Samaritans were a mixed race of people. The King of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. The people took over Samaria and lived in its towns. While living in Samaria the people did not worship the LORD but rather the gods of their home nation. The King of Assyria sent a priest from the Israelites to go and teach them to worship the Lord. They did so but they continued to also worship their gods in the high places and offer sacrifices to them. Some Jews inter-married with the foreigners who were living in Samaria. To learn more about Samaritans read 2 Kings 17:24-41.
The Priests and Levites surely did not associate with Samaritans. They would never think of a Samaritan as following the Scripture more correctly then they. In addition, although the Bible does not tell us anything about the man who was injured, it is fair to say that the Priest and Levite who passed him by must have presumed that the injured man was not their "neighbor". You see, they viewed a neighbor was anyone they considered "righteous". The Samaritans therefore did not qualify. Sadly, the Priests and Levites, the Pharisees and the Sadducees did not know the truth that we are all sinners and not even one person is righteous apart from Christ. The leadership of the Temple were sadly a people who believed anyone who was "wicked" was hated by God. They did not know that although God does hate sin, He loves the sinner. Trapped in their religious system, they were not open to the revelation that Messiah was standing with them. Messiah who physically lived among them loved the sinner so much He would die on the cross. They were so stuck in "religion" they did not have eyes to see their salvation standing in front of them. That is how "religion" works. It causes us to be critical and closed to what the Holy Spirit is telling us.
Perhaps there are places you are stuck because of a spirit of religion. Please keep an eye out for part 2 of this message for more understanding and help with getting free of the spirit of religion.
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:7-9
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:7
We have passed the half-way mark in our study through the book of James. I hope you are being blessed by our baby steps through the book. There are so many treasures in this book; it is one of my favorites.
If you are just joining us now in our journey, we have been making our way through James on Mondays and Fridays. Welcome and I trust you will be blessed.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Commentary:
"Submit. Lit. "to line up under." The word was used of soldiers under the authority of their commander... James used the word to describe a willing, conscious submission to God's authority as sovereign ruler of the universe. A truly humble person will give his allegiance to God, obey His commands and follow His leadership... Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The flip side of the first command. "Resist" literally means "take your stand against." All people are either under the lordship of Christ or the lordship of Satan...there is no middle ground. Those who transfer their allegiance from Satan to God will find that Satan "will flee from" them; he is a defeated foe." [The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur pg. 1893]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
If you are just joining us now in our journey, we have been making our way through James on Mondays and Fridays. Welcome and I trust you will be blessed.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Commentary:
"Submit. Lit. "to line up under." The word was used of soldiers under the authority of their commander... James used the word to describe a willing, conscious submission to God's authority as sovereign ruler of the universe. A truly humble person will give his allegiance to God, obey His commands and follow His leadership... Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The flip side of the first command. "Resist" literally means "take your stand against." All people are either under the lordship of Christ or the lordship of Satan...there is no middle ground. Those who transfer their allegiance from Satan to God will find that Satan "will flee from" them; he is a defeated foe." [The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur pg. 1893]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Friday, August 05, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:5-6 Points to Ponder
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Points to Ponder
I remember being struck by our pastor's statement that God opposes, resists, the proud. I have read that Scripture numerous times but apparently I never stopped to actually consider that in my pride, God opposes me. We tend to think of pride as the arrogant buffoon that parades around drawing attention to herself, demeaning others and elevating herself. But pride is soooo much more than that.
I was reminded today by a co-worker that anger is a form of pride because an angry person thinks they are right. Hmmm. I guess I never really thought of that, but it seems true. How about having to have the last word or the first word or the loudest word?
How about criticism or judgment? Don't they both involve pride?
But what is true humility? I don't think it is "acting" humble because even in "acting" humble we can be proud.
I trust you, like I, desire to be humble from the heart. When we are truly humble, God's grace will wash over us, for He gives grace to the humble.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Points to Ponder
I remember being struck by our pastor's statement that God opposes, resists, the proud. I have read that Scripture numerous times but apparently I never stopped to actually consider that in my pride, God opposes me. We tend to think of pride as the arrogant buffoon that parades around drawing attention to herself, demeaning others and elevating herself. But pride is soooo much more than that.
I was reminded today by a co-worker that anger is a form of pride because an angry person thinks they are right. Hmmm. I guess I never really thought of that, but it seems true. How about having to have the last word or the first word or the loudest word?
How about criticism or judgment? Don't they both involve pride?
But what is true humility? I don't think it is "acting" humble because even in "acting" humble we can be proud.
I trust you, like I, desire to be humble from the heart. When we are truly humble, God's grace will wash over us, for He gives grace to the humble.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
No, the spirit has flown...
In a recent remake of the movie "True Grit", there's a scene early on in which the main character, Mattie, arrives at the undertaker's to claim her murdered father's remains. At which point the undertaker allows her to view the body and says to her, "If you would like, you may kiss him." To which she replies, "No, the spirit has flown."
His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish. Psalm 146:4 (NKJV)
I remember when my dad died, almost seventeen years ago now... his funeral was, to say the least, very difficult. We all loved him and his death came unexpectedly. At the time I was 8-months pregnant and my family was concerned that the grief and stress of his loss on me and the baby would be overwhelming. They were careful to not let me spend too much time lingering at his side. I remember that it bothered me he didn't smell like "daddy." I brought his cologne (Canoe) to the funeral home later in the day and my brother put some on him...but still, daddy was gone.
Although he was a wonderful father to me, he did not know the Lord, nor did I at the time. I didn't feel the need to kiss him, but stroked his hair, touched his arm and pulled away. I knew that although his body was there, "the spirit had flown." He and I had no "unfinished business," no unspoken words, or hugs or kisses not given or received. I praise God there had been much love given and returned. I couldn't even say that I hadn't shared Jesus Christ with him. How could I have shared something I had yet to receive?
I pursue no revenge. My father died of a massive heart attack. In God's sovereignty, which I did not then, nor do I now question, it was his time. What I do pursue is the opportunity to share Jesus Christ with others. I know my earthly father, if he could, would beg me to do that. And my heavenly Father commands it.
Mattie spent the remainder of the movie hunting down her father's killer in pursuit of justice and revenge. She seemed to have "True Grit" in that she was determined despite all costs to would avenge her father's death. Part of the movie's soundtrack included "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," a great old hymn some of you may know. Mattie didn't seem to be leaning on God's everlasting arms, but on her own strength.
...What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms....
The spirit does depart, either to spend eternity with the Lord or eternity separated from the Lord. When your spirit has departed, where will it have flown?
Psalm 146 (NKJV)
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign forever-
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer
For more information on how to know God, click the following link to our website. http://www.americaskeswick.org/364496.ihtml
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish. Psalm 146:4 (NKJV)
I remember when my dad died, almost seventeen years ago now... his funeral was, to say the least, very difficult. We all loved him and his death came unexpectedly. At the time I was 8-months pregnant and my family was concerned that the grief and stress of his loss on me and the baby would be overwhelming. They were careful to not let me spend too much time lingering at his side. I remember that it bothered me he didn't smell like "daddy." I brought his cologne (Canoe) to the funeral home later in the day and my brother put some on him...but still, daddy was gone.
Although he was a wonderful father to me, he did not know the Lord, nor did I at the time. I didn't feel the need to kiss him, but stroked his hair, touched his arm and pulled away. I knew that although his body was there, "the spirit had flown." He and I had no "unfinished business," no unspoken words, or hugs or kisses not given or received. I praise God there had been much love given and returned. I couldn't even say that I hadn't shared Jesus Christ with him. How could I have shared something I had yet to receive?
I pursue no revenge. My father died of a massive heart attack. In God's sovereignty, which I did not then, nor do I now question, it was his time. What I do pursue is the opportunity to share Jesus Christ with others. I know my earthly father, if he could, would beg me to do that. And my heavenly Father commands it.
Mattie spent the remainder of the movie hunting down her father's killer in pursuit of justice and revenge. She seemed to have "True Grit" in that she was determined despite all costs to would avenge her father's death. Part of the movie's soundtrack included "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," a great old hymn some of you may know. Mattie didn't seem to be leaning on God's everlasting arms, but on her own strength.
...What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms....
The spirit does depart, either to spend eternity with the Lord or eternity separated from the Lord. When your spirit has departed, where will it have flown?
Psalm 146 (NKJV)
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign forever-
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer
For more information on how to know God, click the following link to our website. http://www.americaskeswick.org/364496.ihtml
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Why me, Lord? Why them, Lord?
"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Psalm 22:1
Yes, the "why" question. I am sure you have heard others ask it; in fact, I'm pretty sure you have asked it at some point in your life. Maybe you are even asking God WHY right now.
You have heard the cliché - "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." I read recently that the remainder of that saying should continue, "The tough get going in the opposite direction!" Right? When times are tough, when we don't understand, when we are not happy with the way things are or what is happening in our lives... we tend more to run and hide than anything else. Or at least in our hearts that's what we want to do.
Are you in a pit? Are you finding yourself in a holding pattern without clarity of direction? Are you in personal or physical pain? Maybe you feel like you are wandering around in the dark. I do not know where you are at, but I know the God who does know and totally understands. The hard part is that He does not always choose to answer our question "why". (God told us why Job had to suffer, but Job was never let in on that secret.)
Even though He may not directly answer our "why" questions, He does choose in His Word to give us some possible explanations or reasons for our suffering and trials. One well-known example is that we are to: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3).
In his book, The Problem with Pain, C.S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscious, but shouts in our pain." Pour out your heart to God, ask Him why and trust Him that He will take care, and make it all make sense in His grand story for your life. "Trust in Him, at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
Bill Bright challenged us in His book, The Journey Home, to not be like the Pharisees whom Jesus admonished because "you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God"(Matt. 22:29). It will be true that when we have some understanding of how God is working in our lives and how our troubles fit into His plan, it is much easier to accept difficulties. He further challenges us to put this sign on our soul today: "GOD IS AT WORK."
My goal is to write some Victory Calls which will look further into the question of "Why?" I hope you join me on this journey. Let me end with this today - it is always good to remind ourselves that God is loving, kind and just, and that brings us the promise of hope, the promise of new life, the promise of restoration, and the good news of a peace that passes all understanding.
Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor
Director, KESWICK Institute of Biblical Studies
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Yes, the "why" question. I am sure you have heard others ask it; in fact, I'm pretty sure you have asked it at some point in your life. Maybe you are even asking God WHY right now.
You have heard the cliché - "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." I read recently that the remainder of that saying should continue, "The tough get going in the opposite direction!" Right? When times are tough, when we don't understand, when we are not happy with the way things are or what is happening in our lives... we tend more to run and hide than anything else. Or at least in our hearts that's what we want to do.
Are you in a pit? Are you finding yourself in a holding pattern without clarity of direction? Are you in personal or physical pain? Maybe you feel like you are wandering around in the dark. I do not know where you are at, but I know the God who does know and totally understands. The hard part is that He does not always choose to answer our question "why". (God told us why Job had to suffer, but Job was never let in on that secret.)
Even though He may not directly answer our "why" questions, He does choose in His Word to give us some possible explanations or reasons for our suffering and trials. One well-known example is that we are to: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3).
In his book, The Problem with Pain, C.S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscious, but shouts in our pain." Pour out your heart to God, ask Him why and trust Him that He will take care, and make it all make sense in His grand story for your life. "Trust in Him, at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
Bill Bright challenged us in His book, The Journey Home, to not be like the Pharisees whom Jesus admonished because "you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God"(Matt. 22:29). It will be true that when we have some understanding of how God is working in our lives and how our troubles fit into His plan, it is much easier to accept difficulties. He further challenges us to put this sign on our soul today: "GOD IS AT WORK."
My goal is to write some Victory Calls which will look further into the question of "Why?" I hope you join me on this journey. Let me end with this today - it is always good to remind ourselves that God is loving, kind and just, and that brings us the promise of hope, the promise of new life, the promise of restoration, and the good news of a peace that passes all understanding.
Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor
Director, KESWICK Institute of Biblical Studies
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
The Wrong Kind of Contentment
Sitting recently under the teaching of Mark Kolchin, I felt like parched and cracked dry land with first drops of water and then a flood of water washing over my soul. It was oh, so refreshing but also challenging and convicting. Mark did an abbreviated teaching from his 24-part series "From Exodus to Canaan." We mostly looked at Exodus and Numbers but visited Deuteronomy and other books of the Bible as well.
In front of the room was a huge map of the area including Egypt to Canaan. We tracked the flight of the Israelites and I think every one of us learned a few details we had missed over the years. I could write numerous Victory Calls about my own experience of excitement even after being a believer 28 years and perhaps I will but today's is about a realization I had over the weekend that I share because perhaps you too might find yourself with the wrong kind of contentment.
You know there were 12 tribes of Israel but only 10 1/2 tribes crossed into the Promised Land, 2 1/2 tribes (the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh) settled on the near side of the Jordan.
Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for livestock. So the people of Gad and the people of Reuben came and said to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the chiefs of the congregation, "...the land that the LORD struck down before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." And they said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan." Numbers 32:1-4
The people of Reuben and the people of Gad liked what they saw on the near side of the Jordan. They didn't want to actually cross into Canaan, but asked to settle just outside the border.
They gave the illusion of being single-hearted with the nation of Israel. "We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, but we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until each of the people of Israel has gained his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan to the east." Numbers 32:16-19
The two and a half tribes were enamored with the land OUTSIDE the Promised Land. In their mind it was "good enough" that they didn't actually have to cross the Jordan. They were content but in less than all that God desired for them.
I found that illustration convicting. In many ways, I am like those two and a half tribes, content with being close to the Promised Land but not actually IN the Promised Land. To be in Canaan requires we fully surrender to the Lord, die to ourselves and live in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. To go into Canaan, I must die. To live just outside of Canaan, I deceive myself that part of me can live on. And frankly it is pretty comfortable close to but not IN the Promised Land. I realize I have the wrong kind of contentment.
How about you? Have you FULLY surrendered to God? Are you following Jesus Christ with your WHOLE heart? Are you living the crucified life? Are you discontent until you are IN the Promised Land or are you content to be close enough?
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Stay tuned, the Crossing the Jordan Bible Study is nearing publication. I believe by September we should have it available for purchase.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
In front of the room was a huge map of the area including Egypt to Canaan. We tracked the flight of the Israelites and I think every one of us learned a few details we had missed over the years. I could write numerous Victory Calls about my own experience of excitement even after being a believer 28 years and perhaps I will but today's is about a realization I had over the weekend that I share because perhaps you too might find yourself with the wrong kind of contentment.
You know there were 12 tribes of Israel but only 10 1/2 tribes crossed into the Promised Land, 2 1/2 tribes (the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh) settled on the near side of the Jordan.
Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for livestock. So the people of Gad and the people of Reuben came and said to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the chiefs of the congregation, "...the land that the LORD struck down before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." And they said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan." Numbers 32:1-4
The people of Reuben and the people of Gad liked what they saw on the near side of the Jordan. They didn't want to actually cross into Canaan, but asked to settle just outside the border.
They gave the illusion of being single-hearted with the nation of Israel. "We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, but we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until each of the people of Israel has gained his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan to the east." Numbers 32:16-19
The two and a half tribes were enamored with the land OUTSIDE the Promised Land. In their mind it was "good enough" that they didn't actually have to cross the Jordan. They were content but in less than all that God desired for them.
I found that illustration convicting. In many ways, I am like those two and a half tribes, content with being close to the Promised Land but not actually IN the Promised Land. To be in Canaan requires we fully surrender to the Lord, die to ourselves and live in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. To go into Canaan, I must die. To live just outside of Canaan, I deceive myself that part of me can live on. And frankly it is pretty comfortable close to but not IN the Promised Land. I realize I have the wrong kind of contentment.
How about you? Have you FULLY surrendered to God? Are you following Jesus Christ with your WHOLE heart? Are you living the crucified life? Are you discontent until you are IN the Promised Land or are you content to be close enough?
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Stay tuned, the Crossing the Jordan Bible Study is nearing publication. I believe by September we should have it available for purchase.
DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Monday, August 01, 2011
Digging Deeper James 4:5-6
Dear friends, thank you to several of you that responded to last week's Victory Call letting me know you are out there reading. I appreciate your input. We are able to track the emails and know that of the nearly 900 subscribers only a small portion of you actually open the Victory Call email - and of course you are the ones reading this. I can't fault those who choose not to open and read the e-votional because I'm just as bad, signing up for things and then just delete, delete, delete them as they come along. For those of you who continue to follow and be blessed by our meager offerings, we are encouraged and blessed to know that God takes our loaves and fishes and multiplies them a thousand-fold to feed His people.
Our experience has been similar with the Crossing the Jordan Bible study. To think that God has seen fit to use our writings way beyond our intentions is very humbling. I am even today (Thursday as I write this) reviewing the manuscript, I think for the final time. Soon it will be whisked off to the publishing house and the printer. We will keep you posted when it hits the shelves. Please pray with me that it is God's heart, God's words, and God's truth that ends up in print, not ours.
Okay - back to the task at hand.
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)
Commentary
"Scripture. The passage James had in mind is not known. the spirit...envies intensely. The words 'the spirit he caused to live in us' refer to God's creation of man (Gen. 2:7). Because of the fall, man's spirit 'envies intensely,' but God's grace (v. 6) is able to overcome man's envy. Regarding the two alternative translations...the meaning of the first is that God jealously longs for our faithfulness and our love...In this case the Scripture referred to may be Ex. 20:5. The second capitalizes "Spirit" and makes Him the subject. It is the Holy Spirit who longs jealously for our full devotion. If this is the correct translation, it is the only clear reference to the Holy Spirit in the letter." [The NIV Study Bible pg. 1884]
The difference God makes between pride and humility, v. 6. This is represented as the language of Scripture in the Old Testament. 1. The disgrace cast upon the proud: God resists them. The proud resists God. Let proud spirits hear this and tremble - God resists them. He will certainly fill with shame the faces of such as have filled their hearts with pride. 2. The honour and help God gives to the humble. Grace, as opposed to disgrace, is honour: this God gives to the humble. Wherever God gives true grace, he will give more. He will especially give more grace to the humble, because they see their need of it, will pray for it and be thankful for it; and such shall have it. [Matthew Henry's Commentary in One Volume by Matthew Henry pg. 1935-1936]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Our experience has been similar with the Crossing the Jordan Bible study. To think that God has seen fit to use our writings way beyond our intentions is very humbling. I am even today (Thursday as I write this) reviewing the manuscript, I think for the final time. Soon it will be whisked off to the publishing house and the printer. We will keep you posted when it hits the shelves. Please pray with me that it is God's heart, God's words, and God's truth that ends up in print, not ours.
Okay - back to the task at hand.
James 4:5-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (ESV)
Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)
Commentary
"Scripture. The passage James had in mind is not known. the spirit...envies intensely. The words 'the spirit he caused to live in us' refer to God's creation of man (Gen. 2:7). Because of the fall, man's spirit 'envies intensely,' but God's grace (v. 6) is able to overcome man's envy. Regarding the two alternative translations...the meaning of the first is that God jealously longs for our faithfulness and our love...In this case the Scripture referred to may be Ex. 20:5. The second capitalizes "Spirit" and makes Him the subject. It is the Holy Spirit who longs jealously for our full devotion. If this is the correct translation, it is the only clear reference to the Holy Spirit in the letter." [The NIV Study Bible pg. 1884]
The difference God makes between pride and humility, v. 6. This is represented as the language of Scripture in the Old Testament. 1. The disgrace cast upon the proud: God resists them. The proud resists God. Let proud spirits hear this and tremble - God resists them. He will certainly fill with shame the faces of such as have filled their hearts with pride. 2. The honour and help God gives to the humble. Grace, as opposed to disgrace, is honour: this God gives to the humble. Wherever God gives true grace, he will give more. He will especially give more grace to the humble, because they see their need of it, will pray for it and be thankful for it; and such shall have it. [Matthew Henry's Commentary in One Volume by Matthew Henry pg. 1935-1936]
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
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