Blog (Page 15)

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ~James 1:22 As Pastor pointed out Sunday morning, the point of James chapter one, verses nineteen through twenty-five is to be found here in verse twenty-two. He also explained how this truth could be the central thought around which the rest of the book revolves. If you could sum up in one sentence how a Christian should live it is to be found here in this one verse.…

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. ~James 1:16,17 As James writes about trials, sufferings, temptation leading to sin and death, there is a danger the reader may ascribe evil to God’s nature. James corrects this wrong thinking by earlier reminding his readers that temptation to sin comes from our own lustful…

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.  ~James 1:13 That’s a good thing to remember… when we are tempted to do evil, it is not God who is tempting us. God does not and will not tempt anyone because that would be sin. It’s a good thing to remember because when we give in to temptation and commit sin, we…

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. ~James 1:9,10 It would seem that no matter our situation, rather it be poverty or prosperity, there is a test for us. Pastor showed us how poverty tempts us to curse God and envy others, while prosperity tempts us to forget God and degrade others. In this sin cursed world there will always be the…

“Count it all joy, my brethren. . . “ James 1:2  What is joy? How is it different from happiness? Why does it, sometimes, seem so elusive? And here’s the big question: aren’t we as believers supposed to be joy-filled always? A similar question was posed by a friend of mine on Facebook the other day— “I am curious. . . how do you define true happiness?” Wow! I couldn’t let that opportunity slip by. Here was my answer– “Happiness is temporary, fleeting, and…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ~James 1:2,3  Three weeks ago when Pastor preached part one of this sermon, he gave us three reasons for trials: 1. Trials test the quality of our faith. 2. Trials bring us to God. 3. Trials develop enduring strength. This Sunday he added to that four more; they are: 4. Trials produce Christ likeness. 5. Trials…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. ~Ephesians 1:3,4 The doctrine, or teaching, of God’s choosing people for salvation can certainly generate some discussion. As one of the Doctrines of Grace, some people call it Unconditional Election. What does the…

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ~1 John 1:5 This past Sunday’s message focused on a fellowship with God that resides in light and not darkness. Pastor Josh Daggett brought the Word and made clear that an intimate walk with God is walking in light rather than a self deceiving walk in darkness. Light and darkness are concepts often mentioned in…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ~James 1:2 Pastor began his message this past Sunday with a statement I believe to be true and a wake up call for us all. “Trials are common ground for all of us.” Every single human being from Adam onward without exception has faced trials, trouble, suffering, sorrow, and pain. It is, without a doubt, an experience all of humanity shares in regardless of race, gender, or…

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ~James 1:22 Through out the years a large segment of Christianity has confused the relationship between the Apostle Paul’s teaching and that of James. This past Sunday, Pastor made it abundantly clear how Paul and James’ teachings are not at odds with one another and in fact are complimentary. This is how Pastor explained it: Paul taught how salvation is received and James taught how salvation is verified.…

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. ~James 1:1 I am excited about the new series Pastor has begun in the book of James. I am looking forward to our study in this letter, from the Lord’s brother to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion”, because of its focused look at what the life of a believer ought to look like. Pastor pointed out how much James’ own…

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” ~Mark 10:13-15 This passage of Scripture has been the subject of numerous pieces…

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. ~1 Thessalonians 5:23,24 When one becomes a Christian and receives the gift of eternal life, it is soon realized that perhaps one’s current lifestyle may be out of sync with God’s Word. None of us are living our lives in perfect…