Jeremiah Ender

James 4:6-10

2010-01-13T18:05:00.000-08:00

Hey, want to jump start your relationship with God? James is being specific about what we must do.

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

In studying the letter of James I have not yet found out who it was written to in the original context, but in most cases I resolve to say that it was written to me. This book, this verse, this encouragement or chastisement, was written to me.
In our culture today humility is totally optional. At times it can even be anti-social. However pride can be found clinging to the roots of every human influence. We see it evident in political systems, anti-god religions and cults, media, business corporations, and so fourth. In fact, because humility is close to the heart of God we see less and less of it every day. It may actually be classified as an endangered species by now. I would hope that it wouldn't be the case in my heart or the heart of the reader.
Obviously the letter of James was addressed to the believers. But up to a certain point in my life I had subconsciously exempted myself from verses eight & nine. This is not uncommon it is simply my human nature telling my ears that this is not what I wanted to hear concerning the grace of God. Words like 'gloom' and 'mourning' were never on top of my favorite words list to say the least. Nevertheless James sees a danger in the life of the christian young or old and puts forth a clear message. That danger is the allowance of a lazy heart.
From the very moment of time in which we were saved God has required us to work to maintain a right standing relationship with him. It's not so much that God keeps raising the bar. His standard is so high we could never reach it anyway. In fact his standard can get no higher than it is already! It's that we must be reminded every day, indeed every hour, that our faith is as shifting sand. Our prayers and praise are as filthy rags. And our best offerings are an unpleasant aroma. However too often I forget this. And my Faith, prayers, praise, and offerings can be converted into matters of pride. When reminded these verses begin to be more convicting. So we get serious about the pride that continues to creep up in our lives. We turn our laughter into mourning, and weep for our sin. We are brought down to the dust.
Now the mourning doesn't linger because there is another side to this story. We are made a promise that we would be exalted when we have humbled ourselves. The text says that God will give more grace to us, draw near to us, and exalt us. But the requirements are that we humble ourselves. Humility is bringing ourselves low while God lifts us up.
I believe the task of humbling ourselves will be difficult at best for two reasons. One: as I mentioned before, society does not esteem humility, and two: because humility goes against our natural tendencies. But we look ahead to the promise of exaltation attainable by a humble heart, and behind us to what would be the opposition of God if we did not have that humble heart.

I shall not want. James 4:1-5

2009-12-31T17:52:00.000-08:00

Just a note on the last post James 4:1-5. The Christian at some point in his converted life comes to a comforting reality that he really doesn't have any needs. His needs are met in most cases financially, physically, and spiritually.
This is because (I believe) God takes care of his Children. Now the point that I am trying to convey is very difficult for me to communicate because of this reason: Many Christians are in oppression financially, physically, and spiritually. The Christian is never exempt of hardship. We see many of Gods children in the hospital, on the battlefield, in bankruptcy court, and in prison. It can be easy to assume that God has abandoned these people or is angry with them. It would be a faulty judgment though to believe this. We often as Humans associate love with well being. We assume that when we are safe and comfortable with life we must be doing something right for God.
I believe that God comes from a totally different frame of mind. So different that we probably couldn't understand half the time why the things, good or bad, are happening in our life. But honestly I'm not that worried about it. God works all things together for good for those he has called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28).
My point is this: In Christ, I have obtained a very real contentment in my heart. This feeling does not come from the world for if it did I would never be satisfied. This contentment is defined by God alone and I feel it deep within my heart and I know that God loves me regardless of whats going on in my heart now. From human standards I could want anything like a new Corvette or to stop that darn fly from buzzing around my head. But by adopting Gods definition of satisfaction I really couldn't desire anything other than what I have. (For myself anyway. Of course at some point we also adopt Jesus' eyes and begin to see the need in other peoples lives. But that's another topic altogether.)
I close with a song. This is the song I sing to myself several times a week. It applies to the ups and the downs of life. Take it from Psalm 23.

The Lord is
The depths of Your grace who can measure
You fully supply all I need
You restore my weary soul again and again
And lead me in Your righteousness and peace

You’re with me through every dark valley
There’s nothing that I have to fear
You are there to comfort me again and again
Protecting me, assuring me You’re near

The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want

You gave Your own life for my ransom
So I could rejoice at Your side
You have shown Your faithfulness again and again
There’s nothing good that You will not provide

I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

James 4:1-5

2009-12-23T18:37:00.000-08:00

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 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”?

A tough text. Here addressing the longing of our hearts. The desires good or bad. It is a concept that I have spent a lot of time pondering on. "What is the desire of my heart"?
This, I believe, is the essence of James' message. In verse five it says that "...He yearns jealously over ...(our) spirit..." And rightly so! The Father created us, Jesus bought us with his blood, and the spirit lives within us. Of course a Father would be jealous if his son had set his heart on vain things. Of course Jesus would be jealous for he shed his blood for you. And there is for the Holy Spirit, nothing more uninviting than a heart filled with sinful passions. The desires that we harbor in our hearts greatly help or hinder us to see and pursue the Father's love, Jesus' servantship, and the Holy Spirit's work in our life. The Author is so intent on this point that in verse four he implies that any relationship with a worldly desire is to forsake a relationship with God. You see, the desires of our heart are a reflection of our heart itself.

I remember some time ago listening to a question and answer session hosted by John McArthur. Toward the end of the program a nine year old girl asked him how she could know if she was saved or not. He replied with a question. "What do you desire above all else? What do you want more than anything?" The girl answered and said: "That my Parents would come to know Jesus". Mr. McArthur pointed out that only Christ in her heart would cause her to be concerned for her parents salvation.

If Christ is in our hearts He will change our desires completely. He will take our eyes off of ourselves and direct them to his Church, to missions, to widows and orphans, and ultimately to his glory. To want comfort, food, and things, is a natural tendency. However, when we start to see things the way God does we begin to surrender our desires to Gods will.

James 3:13-18

2009-12-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

This passage defines the meaning of pure wisdom in the believer. I believe that we have been given this message by the examples of two men.
The first man shows his wisdom displayed in good works and meekness.
The second man with much boasting. He boasts in himself and against the meek man and even boasts in false truth! The second man may seem more wise than the first only because he portrays himself to be. Wisdom, when we have it, tells us we have no need to boast in it.

You can judge a fool versus a wise man by the way he reacts toward correction. The fool is never open to change but has an argument for everything.
Wisdom, on the other hand, is peaceable, open to reason, merciful, and sincere (vs. 17).

I never want to become so dogmatic on a subject that I, in any case, become unteachable. This lesson goes to show me that no man (no matter how wise) could ever be an ultimate authority on one topic.
Wisdom is a great thing, but when we surrender our pride in that matter and put on a spirit of humility, "A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace..." (vs. 18).

James 3:1-12

2009-07-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water."

The focus upon the tongue magnifies the sobering reality of our human condition. James starts with the teachers and bluntly points out the total impossibility for a teacher to discharge any perfection out of his mouth. He uses verse 2 for a larger explanation. Teachers are not the only thing in reference to the tongue, but it is most important for anyone in leadership to choose his words wisely.
As he begins to describe the tongue we get quite a colorful picture, it is described as: not tamable, a stain among the body, set afire by hell, a restless evil, full of poison.
There is absolutely no possibility that man could speak any perfection. Yes man could bless God now with his lips, but out of the same mouth comes cursing at a later time.

There is an underlying lesson that James is pointing out, and in no uncertain terms he verbalizes this: "without me you can do nothing"(john 15:5). This should shut everyone up in every place or circumstance to total dependence on grace for every word we speak.

In this subject we see a hopelessness about taming the tongue, but also a charge in verse 10 "...these things ought not to be so." The right response to grace is that our words may be seasoned with grace, not to be flippant with our words as if grace has us covered.
Let me emphasize that in Christ we can be all that God requires of us (this is in conjunction with verse 17). In Christ all things are possible.

This is a scripture from Proverbs 18:21. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Death by definition, life by grace. If the tongue is described as power to tear down or to set ablaze, think of the magnitude of blessing it would be if it was bridled by grace.
Look how a simple "thank you" can make someones day. Positive communication with someone could make all the difference in the world.

This also means that when we hear someone speak in a way that is degrading, we will be more apt to forgive that person. For a tongue is something that everybody has and no one is without the regret of saying that which he wished he hadn't.
No one can tame the tongue, but when we surrender it to grace it becomes a powerful tool to use for blessings and building up others.

James 2:14-26.

2009-07-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."

Here we see a clear message of "Faith without works is dead" in James 2:14-26, however it does not promote the idea that works, or deeds is the sole ingredient of the believers life. Paul addresses similar though totally divergent issues. While Paul rejects works as the ground of salvation, James promotes deeds as the living fruit of faith, the way of salvation.
Paul insists that one cannot gain heaven by works alone, and James insists that one cannot enter heaven without deeds.
Both authors speak of faith but each on opposite ends of one continuum.
Paul addresses those who have become legalistic and who act as if salvation was something to buy with their deeds. Paul sees a trap for the self righteous christian and introduces a message of grace.
James addresses those who are spiritually complacent and abuse the gift of grace. These are people who fail to show the poor the same grace that was shown to them. James sees danger in the heart of a self-indulgent, lazy christian and introduces a message of good works.
One message would never contradict the other, in fact, they would compliment each other. Christianity is 100% sovereign grace, and 100% human responsibility. "Faith without works is dead. Works without faith is useless".

Verse 18-26 shows us a few examples of what works are.
The first example dares us to reveal the truth about our faith apart from works (is dead), then presses on to say that works could actually generate faith!
Faith could not be ultimate factor of salvation, for even the demons believe in God and shudder at his supremacy.
We are given two more examples of people whose faith actually sprouted out of good works.
Abraham had lifted up his only son in obedience (faith) to God to be a blood sacrifice. When God saw his obedience he spared the boy and provided a ram. Much blessing came to Abraham for his willingness to obey (Gen 22).
And lastly Rahab (who was a prostitute, imagine that) is celebrated in this passage for hiding spies sent by Joshua, from the King of Jericho. Her good works brought her faith and blessing to her household.
Verse 22: "You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;"

Faith and works go hand in hand, one without the other makes for an incomplete christian.

James 2:10-13

2009-07-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

God has a way of letting us know that apart from him none is righteous (Rom 3:10). We, as children of God, are called to holiness, but our righteousness is but as filthy rags. For ages past God has been telling his children this message. Nothing stands so strong between a believer and his God than self-righteousness.

Try to keep Gods law and you will fail, I promise. Why? Because All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).
I know that this all sounds very negative, but the point is that grace would not be grace if judgment was not judgment. When we come to realize the punishment of sin we grasp a better perspective of grace. "Mercy triumphs over judgment." (vs. 13)

The law that James was referring to was the "Decalogue", or most commonly known as the "Ten Commandments".
Let's imagine for a moment that I have never broken one of the ten commandments, I have never taken Gods name in vain, always honored the sabbath, never disrespected my parents, etc, etc. If it was physically possible I would only be perfect outwardly. But the real battle is in the heart, and no man can control the intents of his own heart.
Jesus own words in Matthew 5:28 were this: "I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." It almost sounds like a "no win" situation huh? This law leaves us shameful and hopeless if not for the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:16-18 says this:
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin."
Hebrews calls it a "new covenant", And in James It is called the "law of liberty".

Don't be one who finds himself alienating others because of their sin. One who has only broken one law is no better than one who has broken them all (vs. 10). We are all in the same struggle. So if you want to find mercy, be graceful to others, For "Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

James 2:1-9

2009-07-04T05:34:00.001-07:00

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?"

The sin of partiality. The example given by James is very bold, and James would hope that anyone who reads this letter would never be given to such disrespect, that a man would dishonor another according to his financial status. But partiality has other facets.
Let's take this closer to home. Imagine if I would not include someone else on a friendly basketball team because they aren't as skilled as I, or imagine me not showing love to someone because they don't have the same belief as my own. Both of these are acts of partiality and both of these, I must confess I have committed. It is very easy to do this unknowingly.

But James was specifically talking about the ones without money. He said that God chose those who were poor in the world to be rich in faith. Why? Because the poor must be closer to the heart of God. The poor have to rely on Gods grace from day to day for every meal, and faith must be strong. Now mind that James was generally speaking and not everyone who is poor is close to the heart of God.

And about the rich he says "aren't the rich the ones who oppress you, drag you into court, and curse your name?". In those days the poor were often employed by the rich and very reliant on them. See how easy it could be for the rich to take advantage. Remember, again James is generaly speaking and not all with an aboundance of money is going to drag you into court.

In verse 8 it says that you are doing well if you love your neighbor as yourself. Partiality in all cases is putting someone down while exalting yourself. The way we break this is to humble yourself, and love others as yourself. Go the extra mile and prefer their interests over your own.
Jesus was a savior to the poor as well as the rich. We as Christians have no right to make distinctions within the body of Christ.

"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."

James 1:19-27

2009-06-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:19-21)

The focus of this passage is ultimately the Word. James begins with instructions for the believer to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry.
He then gives us an example of how to receive the word (verse 21). He says to put away filthiness and wickedness and then to receive it with humility. Why? Did you notice the word implanted? It suggests that one would actually impart the word of God. Who? The Holy Spirit. It is very important that our hearts remain clean for the Holy spirit to dwell because the Spirit and the Word go hand in hand like two sides of one coin. Someone could read the scriptures and understand every word, but without a pure heart open to the Holy spirit there would be no room for them to grow and produce fruit.

James' ultimate goal was not just for the believer to hear the word, but to live life in total awareness of what the Bible says and to allow it to change the way we live (in heart, mind, and body).

An issue that I have struggled with for some time now has been that I would hear Gods word and generate zero response to it. From time to time I would believe that simple knowledge of the word was all that God ever wanted from me, thus feeling proud that I regularly study it. But God has a way of turning us around.

Verses 22-26 say:
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law *(the only perfect law, Gods law), the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."

So how do we always remember Gods word? By being a doer. All the scripture memory in the world cannot make up for faithfully responding to that scripture.

When I have a preconceived idea of what Christianity looks like, God interrupts me and shows me that its not even about looks at all.

He says in verse 27:
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Pure and undefiled religion is to put all that scripture into action and visit the least of these, to visit Christ. And lastly, to keep your heart pure. This I believe, is going to keep me busy enough!

James 1:12-18

2009-06-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

This really shows a picture of Gods love for us. Read these verses from James 1:12-18.

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

It is a sure reminder that whatever trial we may (and we will) be going through God gives us the strength to persevere through it.

Lets look in verse 14 and 15 at the dilemma that we find ourselves in:
When we are tempted to sin we are tempted from our own desire. Sins like laziness, gluttony, and lust all stem off of our natural desires for sleep, food, and sex. Perverted, these desires evolve into sin and sin must bear it's wages (Rom 6:23).
So we see in this passage the depth of our depravity. Sin is a part of our human anatomy.

But in the same passage we see the height of Gods grace (which conquers all sin), and a portrait of his love:
The fact that God (who is holy and never tempts), would look upon a being who tempts himself daily and perverts what God called good, is amazing to me. Not just the fact that he looks upon us, but that he would lavish us with his good and perfect gifts! The scriptures go even further to say that "Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:18) Another (NLT) translation says"...out of all creation, became his prized possession."

We must persevere through the trials and temptations that life throws our way to receive the crown of life. But at this point we are hopeless, our temptations from within work against us. Only Christ offers the strength that we need to endure this race. Will we accept?

James 1:9-11

2009-06-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

"Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits." (James 1:9-11)

Riches are a trial just as poverty is. But riches seem to be far more dangerous to the believer who wishes to be humble. Jesus' own words were: "Truly I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go though the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." (Matt 19:23-24)

The scripture goes on to parallel these with a plant that parishes under the suns scorching heat. 1 Peter 1:24 says the same: "All flesh is like the grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls,..." So both rich and poor man will fade with the grass. But let's look at it this way, the man who spends a lifetime and a fortune accumulating goods and possessions for himself will only be disappointed when his death comes. The poor man however, has not that much to lose.

Now don't assume that an abundance of welfare is a curse. God blesses many people with money, and many people in return bless others who are less fortunate. So money can be a blessing in the hands of one who wants to further gods kingdom.

There are things that the bible is not very clear on such as what defines a rich or a poor man. When I begin to think about finances only one scripture do I find most comforting, Proverbs 30:7-9. 7
"Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God."

James 1:5-8

2009-06-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:5-8)

Wisdom, I believe, is essential to the christian walk. Not just simple knowledge, (for even a fool can have immense knowledge). While the meaning of knowledge could be having read the scriptures and understanding them to a certain mental degree, wisdom is putting that knowledge at work in our lives. It is choosing to do what we know is right with the knowledge we have. The way we think, the way we believe, the way we speak, who we befriend, where we go, what we listen to; A wise man will put the gospel at the center of his life.

So this is a call to prayer. It says, "...let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach,". Another verse that comes to mind is Matt 7:7-11 "...how much more will your father in heaven give good things to those who ask?"
I believe that faith is the key to answered prayer. The bible often says ".. you have not because you ask not." or, "Ask and it will be given to you.". I've always struggled with prayer because I don't always have the faith that my prayers will be answered. So you could say that doubt is the lock on Heavens gate.

"Doubting Thomas" is one who I can relate with on the level of having a "must see it to believe it" mentality. If I was there on resurrection day, I would have acted no different. But Christ had patience with Thomas and revealed himself to him in a special way (John 20:24-29). This is the same patience that Christ shows to his followers on a daily bassis!

So, pray! Pray by faith in the word of God, and our Heavenly Father will not give us a rock when we ask for bread.

James 1:2-4

2009-06-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full affect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

It is in those trials where our faith is tested. In every situation I have learned that our trust grows most when we cannot see. When we are broken, only God can carry us. So we rejoice not because of the trial, but because trials produce steadfastness.

Verse four says to "let steadfastness have it's full affect,".
There are two words in this passage that need to come to attention.
Trials & Temptation. Trials come from God working his will in our lives. And Temptation comes from Satan with an appeal to our flesh. It is an attempt to lead us away from the lesson of faith and our walk with Christ. It is always the case that temptations come in the depth of our trial.

Meanings of steadfastness are: Unwavering, Constant, Faithful, Dependable, and Firm. When we apply this to the grace of God which causes us to endure various trials and resist temptation fully, this is the "full affect" that James writes of.

The next part of verse four, (...that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.) requires some looking into.
The Bible clearly states that no one is perfect; No not even one righteous! (Rom 3:10-11) So what does James want the reader to hear in this passage? He doesn't water it down by saying that endurance produces a whole christian, or a mature christian. But actually says a Perfect Christian, Complete and not lacking in anything.
One commentator on this topic says "The achievement of christian perfection in it's full, positive sense may seem infinitely remote. Nevertheless the obligation to make it our persistent and urgent aim in life is made unmistakably clear (as much in James as it is in the totality of) the New Testament."

Yes, the notion of perfection is far fetched, but the focus of the scripture is not christian perfection, it is about finding joy in the knowledge that our faith has been strengthened in times of trials. And I believe that we (by grace) become more like Christ during those trials, hence, we become (by grace) more "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".

I rejoice in the fact that I am broken, and that I do desperately need the blood of Christ. I think of the words in Psalm 119, "I promise to keep your word". Many times have I promised this to God, many times have I broken that promise. But if it were a promise I could keep, I would no longer need Christ.

I have began a study of James which I plan on taking extensively. I will be posting more as I learn. Please tell me if you know of any material that could be helpful.

-Dulos

Emus Are Very Wonderful People!

2009-05-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I was spending some time with a very special group of People today, my Emus. I own five.
Because there is little knowledge about the Emu, in the majority of today's society, I will now enlighten you. (how privileged you are!)

You will never really fall in love with an Emu until you have wrestled it. Oh yes, I say you can have no better of an educational experience.
I must confess of my ignorance, when we arrived at the farm where I would soon meet my first Emu, I truly believed that he would be equally pleased to meet me. Quite the contrary. You see, as I entered the pen I thought that I could simply "herd" him into the trailer. It took about five seconds to figure out that he was not interested. As we approached the second time it became very paranoid, and wanted nothing to do with the rope that I had in my hand. However, he was outnumbered five to one. We put a sock over his head, duck taped his legs, and carried him into the trailer by brute force. The entire capture took an hour and a half.
The next morning I awoke bruised and scarred with a fresh love for Emus!

Emus are flightless birds from Australia and are members of the Rattite family. Among the Rattites are the Ostrich, Emu, Rhea, Kiwi, Tinamou, and ancient Moa. All are flightless birds.
Emus, which stand about six feet tall and weigh around a hundred and fifty pounds, use their legs as a means of defense. Reaching speeds of up to thirty five mph, the Emu can outrun most any predator, and if it must stand to fight, its razor-clawed feet are covered with what looks like prehistoric scales. Only a stupid fool would stand in its way.

So I have wrestled Emus nine different times, on account of them escaping from their pens, or just picking them up for the first time.
One particular instance of an escaped bird lasted two and a half hours. I found him three miles away. It was a very unpleasant evening.
Emus usually will not jump fences unless they freak out and run into the fence with such velocity that they flip over it.
Emus will walk for hundreds of miles until they find a fence, and according to Emu custom, will begin to pace the fence back and fourth.

Emus are usually mild mannered, but once in a while you may find a "bad apple". My bad apple is "Gary" who usually wants to kill me when I get anywhere around his girl (Sarah). Sarah is nice but hates Mary. Mary loves everyone, and is never bothered by much petting, however, her boy Harry is quite the opposite and really would have nothing to do with the human race. And at the present time would have nothing to do with the Emu race because Harry recently got kicked out of Marys pen for trying to kill Larry who seems to be very victimized by everyone right now (I might add that Larry is a few nuts short of a fruitcake). Did I get them all? There is Larry, Gary, Harry, Sarah, and Mary, my Emus.

Sometimes when you walk up to the Emu pen you can generate a hilarious response from the poor bird by first stooping over, then quickly jumping and raising your hands above your head while growling at it. The Emu is first taken by surprise, then gives that "what a lame prank" face, as it turns and walks away. It takes about four more steps and immediately begins a compulsive stupidity dance that I guarantee you would laugh at.

Marketing for Emus include:
Oil. Used for making soaps, or cosmetic products. The very emollient oil has been used by aborigines for centuries as a healing product.
Meat. The meat is lower in both fat and cholesterol than beef, pork, and chicken. It is a delicious red meat similar to venison.
Eggs, Feathers, Hide. One single Emu egg is the equivalent of ten chicken eggs, as well as having a fluffier texture. The dark emerald green eggs are also carved or painted, which make it a coveted product for crafters. Feathers are also used by crafters for making costumes and jewelry. The Hide can be tanned and used for boots, purses, or other leather products.

The Emu market in 1990 boomed, and birds were sold for as much as $50.000 a piece. But the market inflated and eventually crashed. Therefore the Emu population (and all Rattites for that matter) is diminishing in the U.S.

So my ultimate goal is to collect Emus, start an underground Emu breeding and training program, then assemble an Emu army to repopulate the American continent with so that I can conquer the world!
What do you think?

Lifehouse Everything

2009-05-30T21:59:00.000-07:00

This has got to be the most moving skit that I have ever seen, please watch all the way through. I just wanted to share this with you.

Who's Blog Is It Anyway?

2009-05-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

I would like to say that I started this blog to better glorify Christ. But honestly, it never crossed my mind until now. Ultimately I started this blog to encourage, and to be encouraged by my friends in our faith. So you could say that I share what is on my heart with my friends and subconsciously glorify God through my posting.

Does God need anybody's post? Does he read peoples postings and become spiritually enlightened? I should say not! He is the creator of spirituality.
The truth is that God can use a blog to cause the author to search his own heart and reveal himself in that heart.
So who's blog is it anyway? It is Gods, for he uses it to cause me to search the depths of my heart. It is also mine, I share with close friends what knowledge I learn from God. And finally, it is yours, for you read it and become encouraged to serve God with more passion. We'll call it a joint effort, I'll post, you read, and God willing, he will bless it to further his kingdom.

"Thou Shalt Blog"

2009-05-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sweeet!...My first blog.

""(Heb 3:12-13) 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.""
...But exhort one another every day... Doesn't this Sound so difficult in today's society? We live in a week to week culture. Sometimes do you feel like you are living all week long for Sunday? Is it like an oasis in the desert? It is for me.
Apparently the church was was quite different in the year 68 A.D. when this scripture was written. Perhaps people lived much closer to each other, and men worked together, and Family's ate together. But in today's world, I may go an entire week before I see those brothers who I should exhort. I believe that Blogspot may have just found a cure!
I am sure that I will not be able to post every day, and I am sure that you may not be able to read it every day. But if I could possibly encourage you from week to week in your walk with Christ, I could see no better purpose for this blog!
Jeremiah