verseoftheday

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 ESV Monday! Time to hit the gym! Three things that we might "be" in this verse: -Far from God -Sinning (literally falling short of the mark) - double minded (jumping between the things of the world and the things of God) And three steps to take: - draw near to God. Without this the other things become just surface activity. Jesus took time alone with the Father. When do I do that? Take regular quiet time to talk to God. To meditate on His word, to let His truth sink in and rest in my soul. To listen. To wait. To draw near. Yes sometimes that happens in church when we're together, but if we're feeling far away from God, James says "draw near", get close. I'm going to work on that today, find some space to draw near. #james #Godsgym #drawnear #childofGod #dearlyloved

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God... James 4:7-8 ESV Monday! Time to hit the gym! James is all about action this morning. Submit Resist Draw near It's about who we submit and draw near to, and who we resist. The word for resist is "anthistemi" To stand against To hold your ground Refusing to be pushed back. Our enemy is a liar, a wolf in sheep's clothing, deception is his native language. He operates in the dark, in isolating. So we stand our ground in community with others We stand our ground by letting the light in. And we stand our ground by knowing, living and speaking the truth. That truth is found by drawing near to God. Submit to God Resist the devil Draw near to God #Godsgym #james #drawneartoGod

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. James 4:6-7 ESV Humble. I'm good with that. There's something heroic and good and even celebrated (ironic as that seems) about being (known as being) humble. That's an OK word. But submit. That just goes against my... well...me. I just don't want to. The word here translated submit is "hupotasso" to line up under. When Jesus was 12 and the family went to Jerusalem for the Passover and he stayed behind teaching in the temple and his parents didn't get it cos he was 12. But he submitted to them. Lined up underneath. Hupotasso. Willingly. Underneath their authority and direction. Willingly. James says willingly line up under the "Theos", the God of John 1, the God who created and sustains all. Willingly submit to Him And yes, that may well put me in conflict with me, because part of my hea...

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 ESV Midweek gym session! James could be quoting Proverbs 29:23, but seems to be Psalm 138:6 This grace we looked at yesterday does not appear to be available to the proud, the arrogant. Remember that James is writing to believers here. Some of whom he is now describing as proud and arrogant. I wonder where James would put me? In the proud and arrogant camp? Or wirh the humble crew? Some days, some moments I am firmly in the proud and arrogant camp. I can be there on my own, and it seems like this is where the fun is, the action, the good times... But it's hollow. Empty. God opposes me here (& that's not a place I want to be) Lord, today, I want your grace. Grace that is found in humility. I need your help to be that person today who walks, works, loves, humbly. I can't do that without you. I need you with me on this. Thanks Amen #jam...

Monday! Back to the gym! What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1 NIV This word "desires" means when satisfying our bodily desires comes at the expense of other things. When that pleasure becomes an end in itself. Ouch. The Greek word here is "hedone" where we get the word hedonistic from. What's on the list? Food? What I watch? I put my headphones on because what I want to listen to is way more important to me than talking with you... Where's the battle? Within. So where is the battle won? Within. What we think is important, what we value most. And it comes back to the most basic questions (not basic as in simple) of the Bible... Love and worship What or who do I love? What or who do I worship? James knows where the battle is. Within But it finds its expression on the outside. Today I choose to be in the battle. Within To love God First And let that find it...

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Janes 3:18 NASB Monday! Back to the gym! This is part of James' description of wise & understanding people is the call to be peace makers, manufacturers of peace. This is not just loving peace, enjoying peace, but manufacturing peace, actively working towards it. Construction. This is not easy work. Construction takes planning, sometimes involves experts, takes time, investment, work. Construction has an objective. The objective here is to plant seeds. Not responsible for the fruit, just the planting. Seeds who's fruit is righteousness, that's the outcome. Righteousness is about our relationship with God. That's what James is about...in constructing peace right relationships with God are started or restored... Confession, restitution, justice, restoration... change... When it comes to our relationship with God, change is inevitable... #james #Godsgym #peacemakers...

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NIV Remember James is talking to Christians here... The path of wisdom Understanding It's found in serving It's found in loving, giving, sacrificial actions towards others. If James had a whiteboard and marker he'd write "wisdom" at the top and "serve" at the bottom and arrows linking them in a  circle. Somehow wisdom and understanding is found in serving and serving grows our wisdom and understanding. Jesus said he came not to be served, but to serve. Counter cultural to most of the messages of the world around us. Serving with humility. Does that mean not expecting recognition or even thanks? This humility thing is tough! It starts with small steps. With the small amount of wisdom I have I can give, serve, love others. And as I do, ask God what He has for me to learn and discover in that... #james ...

And the tongue is a fire... ...With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God James 3:6,9 NASB James goes all out in his war on our words in this passage...that same fire that can keep us warn these winter nights can also burn the house down. Our words are important Be slow to speak The thing at the end here are two targets for our words; God - who we "bless" People - who we "curse" James reminds us that all people, even those we speak against (sometimes for good reason) are all in some way image bearers of God. Just like me. I have more in common with those I "curse" than I like to think. James gives us two categories; God. And people. I'm not God, and I know that in me in some way are at the very least the seeds of all the things that I "curse" other image bearers about. Our words are important. Yes God is worthy of our blessing, but I need to be careful how I speak...

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. James 3:5 NIV My words have never hurt anyone - said no one ever. Such a great picture of me. Easy to blame my tongue, but the problem I have is that the words are mine...they come from within...and they can wreak havoc. But words can and are also agents of good, of change...if the forest is the landscape of my heart, then I want the cleansing fire of God to burn away the rubbish, to start with new life again... May Jesus words be the spark today. Forgiven Loved Accepted Redeemed Free And may His words spark mine today... #sparks #james #Godsgym

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:1-2 NLT Wednesday. Time for the gym! Be kind to those who teach. They've already got the burden of v1 on them. And they're just like us : they make mistakes. Be kind. We're all in the same boat, say the wrong thing... If only I could take those words back...say that differently... not say that at all! Our words are important James keeps it real, if we had complete control of our words, we'd have everything under control, but that's an ongoing lifelong battle. Not one we should give up on, but keep in training. I've been given grace I've been shown love I've received forgiveness I'm learning the truth May my words be: Forgiving Grace filled Truth full Lovi...

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? James 2:6-7 ESV Monday! Back to the gym! At the centre of their world is the temple, the church. And in the centre of their world some people were given more space, their views more value, and treated better. Because they were rich. What do I do? Who do I allow more freedom, who's views more oxygen, give more space to? Even if they look down on, disagree with my faith. The rich The powerful The successful The famous The clever The beautiful ? I think it's those who have what the broken part of my heart secretly wants. And James says what are these people you give a free pass to, what do they do? They take. And they undermine your faith. They don't love Jesus, but will use his name to get more of what they want. Who would James be warning us about today? W...

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... James 2:2 ESV James hooks into us next for judging on the externals. The clothing. Labels (or maybe it's no labels now...) The body. Appropriately sculpted. The speech. Confident. Outgoing. The list goes on... Age (too old, past it) The list goes on... We have a lifetime of judging the externals, and James is saying just hang on a sec, why are we doing that in church? Is this the stuff that's important? Take a step back and remember that God's Kingdom doesn't run on the rules of the world, of our culture, and neither should our church...and neither should we. Love people for who they are. Image bearers of the Creator. #james #james2 #Godsgym #nolabels #lovepeople

My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people - show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]. James 2:1 AMP Monday morning and it's back to the gym! James is clear that this is about how we are living out our faith in Jesus. Jesus crossed over all the social and ethnic barriers of his day. He met with the (hated) tax collector. He met with the (unclean) Samaritans He met the (untouchable) leper He talked with the kids, had someone look out for his Mum. In Jesus kingdom, the social, ethnic, age, gender, social status, occupation, boundaries and labels that I so easily fall into the habit of using - they simply don't belong. People have names. I'm trying hard to remember names but the labels seem to stick so much easier. "Jesus, help me to see people as you do. Thanks. Amen" #james #james2 #Godsgym #nolabels #lovepeople

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2:26 ESV Monday - back to the gym! James hammers away at us - our faith must find it's expression in the way that we live! It's not just integral, its what keeps it alive! He uses 2 examples in the end of this chapter. Abraham and his great test of faith. And Rahab, who acted with integrity and made a stand for what was right. Abraham the father of the nation's Rahab the prostitute It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, what you're background or journey has been, God loves to see our faith in action. In our world it's often workmates, flatmates, classmates, customers, tutors, students, patients, bosses, staff, a spouse, a child, a parent that tests our faith. Tests our integrity Tests our resolve to love Tests our patience The limits of our kindness On Monday we get to live out what we believe on Sunday, and James says Monday is just as imp...

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:18 NIV It's Monday! Back to the gym! When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment, he said Love God (with everything you have) AND love your neighbour - in the same way. Our relationship with God cannot be in some splendid isolation from the place we live and the people we live with. It must have an expression in the world. James says real faith has an expression in the lives of others. Today's gym challenge is to take one more step. One more step in expressing your faith. One more. Ask God for wisdom and opportunity, and courage. And today, this week, take one more step no matter if it seems small or big One more step towards. One more step that expresses love for God One more step to work out our faith in the world #james #james2 #Godsgym #onemorestep

If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed", but does nothing... ...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:16-17 NIV Words are important. They can bring healing and life. But In this case they are the barrier. They're a barrier that has kept someone at arm's length. Sometimes I say those words out loud, and sometimes just in my head. "Someone else can do that" "Isn't that their job" "That could get disruptive" "Inconvenient" *shrugs shoulders* I have new neighbors. "I'll go meet them when I have more time. Probably doesn't suit them now" My nice words in my head created a barrier. What does James nudge us to? Action Deeds Step towards. Faith in action steps towards. Love does not put up barriers. Love steps towards. Is there someone on your heart you need to step towards? #james #james2 #Godsgym #steptowards #faithinaction

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17 NIV In the same way as what? The earlier verses tell the story of someone who clearly needs help (food & clothing in this case - something easy to help with, something his readers could help with) and we just say some nice words. Or we are happy to let someone else say those nice words on our behalf & keep our distance. Stay where it's comfortable. James says my faith needs to be worked out, find expression, action, work, deeds, in my world, in my relationship with others, in the lives of people. It might be food and clothing, but it might be something completely different. But it will be something. And without that action, work, deed, that helps someone else, our faith is dead. Lifeless. Flat. Empty Boring I don't want a lifeless faith. #james #james2 #action #whatdoesthatlooklikeforyou #pumplifeintoyourfaith #Godsgym #lovepeople

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? James 2:15-16 ESV "And one of you says to them..." James is writing to Christians. Who are together at the time. So they're in church. Together. And they meet someone, in church, and know enough about them that they don't have proper clothing. And know enough that they aren't eating well And "one of you says". Is this the leader who says this? Like a representative attitude for all. No I think this is about anyone, any one of you, because we are the church, and we all, each of us, represent Jesus. We can't hide behind our church position or a leaders position, this is about any one of us... Me. Maybe I've never said these exact words. Maybe I've said "I'll pray for you" and never done it Or "that...

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Goodbye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"  - but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:15-17 NLT Ouch Monday morning & back to the gym! He gets under my skin a bit does James. He starts off with "suppose you see..." I've trained myself not to see. Not to hear. Not to be open to the troubles of others Not to step towards. I'm too busy, too important, my agenda, my needs are more important... Suppose you see... Maybe it's the person in my house, my street, my church, my workplace, my class, or somewhere else that I need to "see", and step towards. What does God need to work on in me, change in me, to allow me to see that person who God has for me to minister to. For me to see. Or will I mi...

...if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? James 2:14 NIV This is one of those gnarly sentences that can trip us up... Are my deeds good enough? Have I done enough? I don't do as much as...well almost anyone... By faith you're saved. It's grace You can't earn it. (And you can't unearn it either) I think in the context of Jimmy's book here, he's saying if I believe that Jesus is who he said he is, and that he died for my sin, that his love for me was so great,  then I'd want to reflect that in the way I live. And if not, well maybe I just don't believe. It's not about what we do, how visible or important that seems, but our heart. If I'm stuck in hospital unable to do anything for anyone...I can still thank the nurse, the cleaner... What's that quote from Mother Teresa? "...we can all do small things with great love." Sometimes we're just hanging on, but even in those days, i...