verseoftheday

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. James 1:27 ESV Yesterday some food dropped on my shirt, and if I'd done nothing, it would have stained it. We are going to get the mess and dirt of this world on us and in us. I noticed this stain. But how observant am I about the stains of the world? Sometimes I see them, and sometimes I need others to point them out, and sometimes they become clear in the light of God's Word. But I need to be observant. And I need to take action. Otherwise I will get stained. A change in attitude, thinking, action. Confession, forgiveness. Choices. I am forgiven. At the Cross, Jesus was permanently stained so I wouldn't be. He took on Himself all the pollution. But we still live in this not yet restored world, in this not yet renewed body. As we work with God on His restoration project, be on the lookout for stain...

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 NIV You may not remember the TV show Lost in Space (originally filmed in the 1960's!). There is a robot on that show who when it sensed danger would say "Danger, danger Will Robinson" James is giving us a similar warning here. Danger, danger. Pollution The world will pollute you. He can't just mean in a physical sense, but spiritually. Our hearts are polluted and it's danger danger because we can't sense it happening. Our thinking is shaped. Our choices Our values Our lifestyle Our dreams Our desires Where we put our time, effort, resources and commitment...James says danger danger, are you heading towards God, or is the pollution that too often we barely notice, taking you away... #james #james1 #dangerdanger

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 NIV Good to read James 1 from the beginning to give context: Trials Humility Perseverance Unchanging God #quickslowslow To live out God's word And now how our faith should look in the world we live in...how we should live it out. The orphans and widows are literal. But they also represent the marginalised, the discarded, those without resources. Who are those in our world Our country Where we live In our street Who comes to mind? Will you pray a dangerous prayer here at the start of 2019? Will you pray that God would bring some one, some group, some people, who you and I can step towards in 2019 Some one who despite (or maybe within) our circumstances, our battles, we can step towards. Maybe it's about jumping in and serving somewhere...James is not about programs, but people. ...

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26 NIV Ouch! James just gave us our NY resolution: To stoop. To look closely and intentionally into God's word, and to live it out. Living It Out 101 Be careful with your words. Or you'll do two things: 1. Enjoy the sound of your own voice so much you'll believe that over God's word - deceive ourselves And 2. Wreck the good work you do with your words. Gossip Lies Saying too much / not listening Forgetting the "love" part when we speak the truth We all have our ways. What's Jim's solution? Keep a tight reign on what you say. Like a horse that is not given the freedom to go wherever it wants in any manner. No, it's directed, trained, controlled by the rider. Rein in my words! Yesterday a thought popped in my head and I said it. It wasn't necessary or helpful. I need to direct, t...

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 NIV Welcome to 2019! For some this is day to resolve to make some changes or commitments. James is on to it! NY Resolution: Look intently into God's Word This intently means "to stoop to look" Often I just drive by a place. Look at that beautiful spot, let me Instagram it and move on. James says slow down. Stop. Stoop. Get closer. Look closely. Have a forage around, see what treasures you can unearth. Be purposeful. Look with intent for what God has to say about himself, about us, and how we should live Live it. Do what it says. Not giving up or backing down, not discouraged by stumbles or setbacks, or difficult terrain, but walking with God, trusting Him regardless of my circumstances. That's the path to freedom and blessing. That's the path I want to be on in...

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 NIV Interesting place to end 2018...at the end of the year we often look back at the good, the bad, the ugly. The things we got right, and maybe some things we wouldn't do the same way again! James says yes look back. But look back at what God has said, how He has revealed himself in his Word, and in the person of Jesus. And look forward and live out what God says. Choose. Choose to follow God's design for us to thrive and flourish. Here's a few things I look back on in 2018: Our God is good. He doesn't do things the way I want, when I want. He does use the things we go through for good if I let him His Big Story is a Love Story. His Word is a lamp and a light. If I want to see in the dark, walk the journey He has for me I need that. #theWordjustliveit #Godsgym #itsal...

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. James 1:23-24 NASB For many people this is a time of year for a bit of introspection, thinking about the year that was, and what's ahead. James is encouraging us to live out God's Word. Whereever we find ourselves, whatever our circumstances. Its like looking at yourself. You don't forget who you are. The greek word here is "eimi" I am. We don't forget who we are. I am who I am in everything I do. And that's how James wants us to live out God's Word. It's not "hey just don't forget to live out what you've heard", the living out is inseparable from the hearing. #james #james1 #Godsgym #theWordjustliveit

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV As the year winds down I think back to times in2018 when I haven't done what the Word says... I've listened, but how have I deceived myself?  "Go into the world..." That doesn't mean me. "Be kind." But you don't know my life "Make disciples" We have a pastor for that "Love one another" Really? "Bear One Another's burdens" Surely that's for those gifted or "called". "Blessed are the meek" Not in my world! James is just a blunt guy. Listen. Don't kid yourself that the Word is not for you. Jist live it. I wonder how different 2018 would've been if I'd just done that? #ouch #Godsgym #james #james1 #theWordjustliveit

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. James 1:19-20ESV "The righteousness of God" If James is saying that we can't produce it, what does that look like? He gives us some help in the rest of the chapter, but for now, the message is that try as we might, we can't just do this ourselves. I like to think I can. There's times when I've thought I can save myself In her song "Sparks" Brooke Fraser sings this: "Eve ate the apple And I did the same" Rather than follow God's word I think my way is better. James says no. Your anger, your passion won't do it. When it comes to God am I quick to listen? And slow to speak? And slow to become angry at Him? In this crazy Christmas time slow down, find some space, to listen to the Creator #quickslowslow #Godsgym #james #james1

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 NIV James seems to be saying that our anger leads us away from God, away from his goodness for us. It's counter productive. I think that's because my anger is usually selfish. This person's words, actions, driving, has annoyed me, made me angry. Angry at you Because its affecting me. But if I get angry because how something has affected you, my anger becomes fuel for action to right a wrong, to bring justice, goodness, restoration. David Powlison says this "The clearest gauge of whether anger is right or wrong in its expression is whether it acts to condemn or to offer help." Lord help me today to only have anger that offers help, that leads to justice, that leads to goodness Thanks Amen #james #james1 #Godsgym #quickslowslow #angerthatheals

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry... James 1:19-20 NIV Quick, slow, slow. These 3 things are a package deal, because they're really about one thing - my heart. My heart is slow quick quick Slow to listen Quick to speak Quick to take offence, quick to get annoyed, quick to get angry. I'm sure there's techniques and things I could learn to flip this, but it's a heart orientation that brings real change. When my heart is oriented towards God, it is inclined to love others. When I love people as image bearers, as valued by God, as someone He said was worth dying for, then, I'll put my stuff aside and listen. Then I'll hold back my judgement and slow down what I have to say. And then I won't quickly take offence, get annoyed, get angry. When my heart is oreinted towards me, then I'm slow quick quick When its oriented towards God, & others, I become quic...

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak... James 1:19 NIV Part 2 of James' guide to being a great listener. Slow to speak. That might mean not speaking at all. My problem is that while you're talking I'm already forming what I want to say in my head...and sometimes i just can't wait - it seems so important! So it must be important to you too. Just finish, so I can talk. Nah I'll just jump in anhway! James counsels me to slow it down. Slow down my speaking Because that communcates something else. That I care That you are important That your thoughts are important James says this is for everyone so today I'll try... #james #james1 #listen #tolistenequalstolove #loveoneanother #Godsgym

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen... James 1:19 NIV Is this James schmoozing us with "my dear brothers & sisters" (It is Christmas after all) When he says "take note of this" he seems serious. I think he's saying i really appreciate you and this is something important for your life. Don't miss it. Be quick to listen. I'm quick to hear. But to listen? I'm quick with my point of view Quick with my story Quick to judge Quick jump in, to have my say Quick to form my thoughts James is telling me to take note. This is important, because I care about you. Be quick to listen Listen for the heart. Listen for meaning Listen to encourage Listen to build the other person up, to strengthen Listen as an act of love Listen so that you might speak life. James says this is for everyone, so today I'll try... #james #james1 #listen #tolistenequalstolove #loveoneanother

You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. Deuteronomy 26:17-18 NLT Firstfruits. Part of this firstfruits thing is promises The people made promises. To walk in the light of God's word. And God declares that they are his people His special treasure. And we are the children of that promise that echoes thru the centuries... As a kind of firstfruits we are connected to God's declarations. What a place to be. Safe Known Treasured Loved Dwell in that today. The world around you may not make you feel any of those things today, but God has promised it. Believe it. Live in the light of that love today :) #dearlyloved #james #james1 #wearefirstfruits

...In this year of the special tithe you must give your tithes to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they will have enough to eat in your towns. Deuteronomy 26:12 NLT Firstfruits. This is a key use of the fiirstfruits...to ensure that the; Levites (our pastors, people we send as a church) Foreigners  (literally means those without inheritance rights - the refugees) Orphans (the vulnerable who have no one else) The widows (those who have lost their partner so are reliant on others now) The purpose of the tithe of firstfruits was to support those in need in the community. If we are a kind of firstfruits as James tells us, then these are the people we are called to help. More than that...who we're here for... Our purpose. If you're already in amongst it - great! Keep at it! Don't grow weary in doing good :) #james #james1 #wearefirstfruits #purpose #lovepeople

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18 NIV Firstfruits. Trials, perserverance, maturity, and our good, unchanging God. Chosen. And we end up here. Some kind of firstfruits. Deuteronomy 26 talks about firstfruits. They come from cultivation. The work of someone's hands. If we are a kind of firstfruits we are shaped, cultivated, by the word of truth. God's Word The person of Jesus We don't read then God's word, look at Jesus life, death, resurrection, for information, but cultivation. Problem is I don't want to be shaped or changed by someone else. I'm selfish. And stubborn. Lord, let your word shape me, change me, make me fruit for your kingdom. Overwhelm my selfishness with your grace today. Amen #james #james1 #firstfruits #changedbygrace #Godsgym

...from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18 NIV God is good. He is for us. He doesn't change. Yet there's evil, suffering, hurt, destruction in the world. The "anti" of who God is. So He must be allowing that for a reason (maybe lots of reasons!) One clue is found in this verse, & another in these first verses of James. He wants us to grow up. To be mature in our faith. Growing up includes fails, struggles, perservering. And then there's this verse. Chosen. And Some kind of first fruits. Do you remember the kid at school who was always the last one picked on a team because everyone knew they'd be an anchor? With our God, it's like He picks everyone first. He sees you Knows you Knows our strengths and our weaknesses and chooses us anyway. There are no favourites based ...

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17 NIV Don't be deceived, misled. I need reminding because I am easily misled. Easily misled that God is not good. But James reminds us that He is. Good. He doesn't change. God reveals himself in Jesus. This is who God is. He came to seek us out, to save...because we were lost. He forgives He redeems He restores He loves. He does not change. He is good. Rest in that today - whatever is in front of you today. He is good. He is for you He loves. And He does not change. #dearlyloved #childofGod #james #james1

...be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ...Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6, 8 NLT James is encouraging us to see everything and everyone from a faith in God place. Start there. With who God is With what He says What he says about me, about others, about the world. Start with faith in Yahweh. How does that shape my answers, my questions, my relationships...my actions... When my loyalty is undivided I have 2 things: A firm foundation. And freedom Freedom to give, forgive, create, relate, thrive... Becauae that foundation gives purpose, direction...and hope. Its all about Who we place our faith in... #james #james1 #undivided #Godsgym

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 NLT A quick recap. James is writing to Christians - scattered everywhere. He says in the trials, perservere because in that, we gain something important. And in those tough things ask for wisdom. And this verse James reminds us who our faith needs to be in. In God alone. Undivided. This question, this challenge, echoes down through the Bible to the very beginning (cue Adam & Eve) Is my faith in God alone? Do I really trust Him? Or do I trust me more? In the trial In the perservering In the maturing In the praying for wisdom My faith can only be in Yahweh. #james #james1 #faith #Godsgym