Letters from the Beloved: Love, Love, Love – Part 2

We are focusing on love for a couple of blog posts because John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, focuses on it so much.

1 John 4:20-21 [NKJV] 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God [must] love his brother also.

Do you feel, like me, that there seems to be an awful lot of hate in the world? In the USA we’ve had many mass murders that are based on hate of an entire group, race or religion. It happens around the world as well. The human race seems to be unable to disagree without spewing hatred.

Proverbs 31:26 And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

But that is the world. Satan’s world. We can hardly expect anything different than hate in a world led be the top hater of the human race (Satan). What about the body of Christ?

It is not for me to judge the hearts of my brethren. That is, when I hear meanness and see unforgiveness, I cannot say it comes from hatred. But I can point out that John, the beloved, has some pretty strong words about it.

When sermons and articles include name-calling, mocking and belittling of politicians and their followers, I don’t know if it is hate, but it certainly doesn’t come across as love.

Sadly, I’ve had more than one non-believing relative tell me that they don’t think much of Christianity or Christ Jesus because of what they see and hear out of those who claim to be followers of Jesus. Ouch.

To be clear, they are not faulting me (as one who calls myself a Christian) for sticking with the 10 commandments or for keeping the Sabbath or because I am anti-abortion or because I have asked that they not take God’s name in vain in front of me. No, they actually respect me for that.

Their disgust for those who call themselves Christians has everything to do with divorced parents who don’t pay child support and leave their own children to struggle, ministers who molest children or commit adultery and get a pass to continue leading a church (just in another city or state), with those whose politics include hateful words, and with those whose self-righteousness shows no compassion on children at the border or those who struggle with addiction.

We are Jesus’ representatives on earth. If we are not known for loving PEOPLE in word and deed, it doesn’t matter how much we love God.

Sweet sisters, I know you are loving. I am pained that there are not enough Christians out there whose primary focus is showing love by caring for others and speaking with kindness. [See Matthew 25:31-46 and Proverbs 31:26]

We have to work harder and be more public about it. We must ask God to help us always speak kindness, letting it be the law to us. We must show love in giving to and visiting the needly.

It isn’t fair to be judged by association. Our response to that must be to redouble our efforts to show the love that we have for God BY the love we show to our fellow man. Inside the church and without.

We cannot be with God and Jesus in heaven right now. We love them from afar in that sense, though they are with us in mind, heart and spirit, IF we show love to others.

I urge us all, then, to take on a purer version of the Stephen Still song, “If can’t be with the One you love, honey, love the one you’re with” and love the ones we are with on this planet. Every one of them.

They are sinners, every one of them – just like us. They are also the beloved children of God who just don’t know Him as well as we do (or at all) right now.

Love them anyway. How else will they believe that we love God?

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Backed up to the Cloud and Searched Until Found

Luke 15:8-10 [NKJV] 8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds [it]? 9 "And when she has found [it], she calls [her] friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

This evening I spent some time being as frantic as that woman must have been.

Earlier this week I finished tonight’s blog, translated it into Spanish and even created the graphic in both English and Spanish. All I needed to do was post tonight. I congratulated myself on working ahead.

Hebrews 6:10 [NIV] God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Except that my computer upgraded itself last night and the blog is gone. So is the blog I wrote for last week, which has been posted and could be recovered from the Website.

So, I did the computer search equivalent of “sweeping and searching carefully” through files and folders and even the Cloud Drive. Nope. Gone.

And I wondered, “How would the story have ended if she didn’t find her coin? What would she do then?” Well, this is not one of those “Choose Your Own Ending” novels. She found her item of value. But I did not find mine.

Lesson learned. Don’t just hit save frequently, which did not, in fact save my blog from the back up that chose an earlier version of my blog document. Go ahead and back up to the cloud (which I have not been doing).

There is no backup plan for salvation. There is only one plan = God’s plan, which He laid out before the world began. Titus 1:2 [KJV] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

There is no backup plan for salvation. There is only on name by which we can be saved = the name of Jesus Christ. John 3:18 [KJV] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

There is no backup plan for salvation. There is only one Good Shepherd whom we must follow. John 10:14, 27 [NKJV] "I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep], and am known by My own.” 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

When I could not find my blog, I gave up and started this one. Hopefully, I will be able to recreate the one intended for this week, based on 1 John 3:24. But I was too disappointed and sad (maybe a little mad at myself too) to restart that one tonight.

I gave up searching and just gave into the fact that it was irrevocably lost.

The good news, sweet sisters, is that One and Only Good Shepherd never gives up. If we are lost, He will never stop searching until He finds us.

Luke 15:4-7 [NKJV] 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 "And when he has found [it], he lays [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together [his] friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Let us rejoice that we will always be found by our Good Shepherd. And we can rejoice with the angels in that fact.

One more thing to rejoice about regarding backups: Your good deeds are backed up to the Spiritual Cloud, filed in God’ memory, where it will never be lost.

Hebrews 6:10 [NIV] God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Take that, Microsoft Update!

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments section or at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Falling on the Stone

Speaking of Himself in Matthew 21:44 [NKJV] Jesus says, "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

In the prophesy of Daniel 2, we see that ultimately there is a stone that falls from heaven and crushes the kingdoms of this work. Daniel provides and explanation in verses 44-45 of Daniel 2 [NKJV] 44 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. 45 "Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold--the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure."

The dream tells us that the Kingdom of God will be brought to earth by Jesus, who is the Stone that the builders rejected, but whom God has made the cornerstone of His Kingdom [Luke 20:17].

He is the stone that crushes those it falls upon.

But what about those who fall on the Stone and are broken? Who are they?

You can find several scriptures about women who were broken before God, weeping, and crying out before the alter or in the wilderness in the Old Testament. For example: Hagar in Genesis 21:16 and Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:7.

In the New Testament, we have examples of even more women, already broken by hurt, pain, sin or fear, falling at the feet of Jesus. See Mark 7:25; John 11:2, 32; 12:3.

The walls we put up against pain, doubt, fear, trial and trouble must be broken down to let the love, light and healing of Jesus into our hearts, minds and lives. To us, it is sin that causes us to break when we fall on Him, because His sacrifice was made to separate us from that sin. Sin can no longer inhabit the same space as Jesus, as it did when He was crucified for us. When He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, it was at the moment and only that moment that sin inhabited the same space as Jesus. [Matthew 27:46] For eternity before that moment and for all eternity after that moment, this could not be.

Now, for us, His love breaks down who we were and puts us back together as who we are meant to be in Him. We fall on Him because we are broken by sin, and He lifts us up. We are broken by sin and He puts us back together, better than before.

The people who do not recognize their need for a Savior – who don’t see their own brokenness and voluntarily fall before Him – will be made to fall before the Cornerstone, the Rock of Israel to be broken down and rebuilt in His image in the furture. Much better to voluntarily break ourselves upon Him now.

Matthew 21:44 [NKJV] Jesus says, "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

But God and Jesus are our Rocks in so many other ways. Here are just a few examples:

·        The Rock of Salvation – 2 Samuel 22:47; Psalm 89:26

·        Rock of Refuge – Psalm 31:2; 94:22

·        Rock of Strength – Psalm 62:7

Jesus is not a Rock of offense to those who voluntarily seek Him. He has no need to be a crushing Rock or breaking Rock for those who understand their brokenness and seek wholeness in Him. For us, He is the Rock that protects us, gives us strength and is a place of refuge for the already broken to find rest.

Sweet sisters, when sin breaks you, or when you feel broken down by trials, fall before the Rock and He will put you back together again.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments section or at Nancy@DyanmicChristianMinistries.org

P.S. I am working on a series focused on the three letters of John the Apostle (1, 2, 3 John) and comparing them to his telling of his time with Jesus in the Gospel of John.  Hope to start sharing that with you soon.

My Friend James: Sing Praises

A great deal of the remaining verses of James 5 have to do with faithful prayer, especially for the sick. We’ll get to that next week. Today, I want to focus on this little admonition in James 5:13.

James 5:13 [NLT] Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

We do pray for the sick – a lot. Like me, you probably get prayer requests via email, from announcements at church, off posts on Facebook, and directly from friends and family. Maybe, like me, you have a prayer group that texts each other asking for prayer. You may even have special prayer time at church, where you give prayers for those suffering all types of trials.

Since James devotes six verses in James 5 to praying for the sick, we know it is important. But, equally important is the latter part of verse 13: “Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.”

James was not just offering a cool suggestion. We are told that praising God is a sacrifice we should participate in regularly. Hebrews 13:15 [NKJV] Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name.

Why? Because Hebrews 13:15 starts with “therefore” we know that the verses ahead of this give us the “why?” we are seeking.

Hebrews 13:10-14 [NLT] talks about Jesus being our better sacrifice and having been sacrificed outside the camp. It says we should go outside the camp to meet Him and then, verse 14, tells us, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.”

We should offer the sacrifice of praise because (1) Jesus is our sacrifice for sin and (2) This world is not our home. Many praise songs do offer gratitude for the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and tell of our joy in knowing that there is a better world coming, where there are none of the wars, pain, evil and suffering we must endure in this life.

But praise time is not just for church services. Hebrews tells us to offer “a continual sacrifice of praise to God”. [NLT] Great times for praise are when you garden or take a walk, clean house or drive to work, or any time you see the beauty of nature, or feel appreciative for a new day.

And may I suggest that you put your heart into it? I am often on stage at church, playing some percussion instrument during the song service and I am appalled at the demeanor and facial expressions of those in the congregation. Many of them look more like they are angry, or just ate a lemon, rather than being in the act of praising God. I realize that not all congregational songs are truly praise songs. A few are laments. But I am talking about the ones that no one can dispute as being intended for praise.

Hebrews 13:15 [NKJV] Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name.

And even if your church only uses traditional songs (no praise music), those songs and our signing are meant to declare the glory of God, to praise Him and to connect us to one another.

If a church frowns on lifting up hands or repetition in praise songs, we typically respect that and don’t push the envelope. Don’t we? But how you sing and praise at home is exclusively between you and God. Nobody else’s business.

As someone who loves to sing but can’t “carry a tune in a bucket”, I do a lot of lip-synching at church when I am in a crowd. Not always, but often. I usually am either playing congas or have a tambourine or shaker in my hands, so lifting up my hands in worship isn’t an option, even if my church approved it.

However, in my car, in my home, in my garden and on long walks, I crank up the tunes and belt out the praise songs that I love, lifting up my hands (See Psalm 63:4) and even dancing when I feel moved to do so. David danced before God enthusiastically (See 2 Samuel 6:14), so I feel I am on solid ground with this.

I am partial to music by Tribl and Upper Room, which I follow on YouTube. If you look them up, I must warn you that there is repetition, lifting of hands, emotional displays and even dancing in some videos. If that is not your thing, I understand.  I also have a Christian playlist on my phone by Casting Crowns, Amy Grant, Matthew West and others.

What are your favorites songs or groups? Please share in the comments here on via Facebook or LinkedIn.

Whatever music moves you, from traditional hymns to modern praise, our friend, James is clear: If you are happy, you should sing!

Thank you for continuing to join me in the study of the book written by my friend James. As we wrap this up, please let me know where you think we should go next.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org or leave a message in the chat.

My Friend James: Heavy Sigh

James 5:9 [KJV] Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. It seems like “grudge” is being used as a verb here. Does it mean “don’t hold a grudge” against each other? The New King James says, “do not grumble”. Which seems to me to say something entirely different.

The Greek word used here means “to sigh, to groan”. We sign or groan when we get frustrated or impatient with something, don’t we? So, I wonder, is James saying that we should not allow our brothers and sisters in Christ to frustrate us to the point of sighing or groaning about it?

The writer of Hebrews uses the same word here: Hebrews 13:17 [KJV] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.

So, while Hebrews tells us not to cause those who rule over us any grief (same Greek word as is translated “grudge” or “grumble” in James 5), James tells us not to be grieved by our brethren.

James 5:9 [CSB] 9 Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!

It would seem that our friend James is really counseling us to be patient with one another and also not to be the kind of person that causes grief to others. That’s fair.

Interestingly, the Bible also offers us acceptable “groaning” as Christians.

Romans 8:22-23 [NKJV] 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only [that], but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

The people of God, along with the world He created, groan for the Kingdom and to exchange these mortal bodies for the immortal ones we are promised.

2 Corinthians 5:4-5 [NLT] 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

So, if the condition of this world – the mess we have made of the planet itself, the oppression we see or hear about, the dysfunctional nature of so many human institutions or personal health issues due to the limitations of a mortal body – cause you to give out a heavy sigh or even a groan, that is no less than God would expect. It should lead us to pray “Thy Kingdome come” with earnestness and fervor.

But if your fellow brethren, who struggle as you do, cause you to give out impatient sighs and groanings, please be sure to cut them a break as they are likely dealing with the messes of their lives and this world just like you.

And try not to be the kind of person who causes others to groan, especially to your fellow brethren, even though they, like you, should be working on patience and understanding with one another.  We all may seem slow to change when others look at us and our spiritual progress, but we need to remember that God is working in each one at His own pace and ours.

We are so close to the end of our time in the book of James. Where shall we go next? Is there a book of the Bible you’d like to explore together? I am considering the book of Matthew or the messages of John (not just his gospel but also 1, 2 and 3 John).

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Do Beautiful.

James’ parting shot in chapter 4 of his book is pointed and direct. James 4:17 [NKJV] Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do [it], to him it is sin. In modern times, we might say it just how the New Living Version does: Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. So, there it is, you have been warned. Do good, or else!

However, the Greek language here is a little more flowery – or at least can be viewed that way.

The Greek word translated “good” in James 4:17 [as used in the King James and New King James translations] appears 102 times in the New Testament. It is mostly translated “good” and used just as we would understand and expect it to be.

However, it was interesting to me to learn that the root of this word is “beautiful”.  Thayer’s Greek Lexicon tells us that it was “applied by the Greeks to everything so distinguished in form, excellence, goodness, usefulness, as to be pleasing; hence (according to the context) equivalent to “beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.”

Many of these words would still make sense to us in the English language if they were used to replace the word good in James 4:17 and add “things”. For example, we might easily say, “to him that knows to do excellent things” or “choice things” or “useful things” and doesn’t, it is sin. The word good may best convey what James is after. In other words, if you know what good is and you don’t do it, that is a problem.

But what is James actually meant “beautiful” when he used this word? How does that change our thoughts about and responses to this admonition?

Romans 10:14-15 [NKJV], quoting Isaiah 52:7, says, 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Preaching the gospel is beautiful to God, not merely good.

Psalm 96:9 [NKJV] Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.

Holiness is like beautiful covering for us. Holy worship creates this cloak of beauty.

Isaiah 61:3 [NKJV] To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

And in Isaiah 53:2, when God promises “beauty for ashes”, we know He wasn’t promising to make everyone really pretty. I believe He means to replace sorrow, sadness and the pain of sin to the beauty of holiness, worship, obedience and preaching the gospel. He gives us beauty of “doing”, not of “being”.

James admonishes us that knowing to do good and not doing it is a sin, we need to take notice. However, if we think of the word “good” in light of it’s root word, “beauty”, I think we get a more, well, beautiful picture of what God requires of us.

It is our God-given responsibility to “do beautiful” in this world filled with so much ugliness.

So, sweet sisters, I leave you with my own version of the admonition of our friend James: If we have the opportunity to make the world a more beautiful place and don’t, well that would just be a sin. So, go out and replace ugliness with the beauty of the gospel, of praise and of good works at every opportunity.

Next week, we start on the final chapter of the book of James. I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on this book by the brother of Jesus.

Where shall we go next? Is there a book of the Bible you’d like to explore together?

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Que Sera, Sera

In 1955, Doris Day performed the song “Que Sera, Sera” in the Alfred Hitchcock film “The Man Who Knew Too Much”. It is about a woman who asks about the future (Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? What lies ahead?) and is given what always struck me a weird piece of advice. “Whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see.” We live in a time where we tell our children “you can have the future you want if you are willing to work for it”. Did they really not have that concept in 1955?

As a Christian, I know the truth is that my plans may not be God’s plans, especially if I’m not submitting them to His will. I also know working toward our goals doesn’t guarantee success in this life because time and chance, as well as the actions of others can impact my life. I also know that success is more likely if I work hard toward viable, God-guided goals.

As you might expect, James has something to say about making our own plans for the future.

James 4:13-16 [NLT] 13 Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone. 15 What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

“If the Lord wants us to” is the key phrase – the key guidance that James wants to impart. This act of submitting our goals to God’s will is something we should consider on both a macro and a micro level.

You see, sweet sisters, we cannot just give our futures to God. We cannot just give our big dreams, big moves, big life events to God. We must submit each day to Him. We must submit each hour, each thought, each moment, each breath to His will and purpose for us.

So, whether the moments of our days include potty training a toddler, working on a big project at the office, painting, training for a marathon, mowing the yard, washing dishes for what seems like the millionth time or asking for that raise or promotion you deserve, we must actively submit them to the will of God. Not that He cares if you prewash the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, but He cares that you are a child of His whose thoughts turn to Him while doing a routine task, or who will take this time to sing a song of praise (even if your family prefers you do that in your head only).

And who doesn’t need to ask for protection when moving the yard or patience when potty training a toddler?

“Que sera, sera” is not our Christian mantra. Sure, we cannot know the future apart from what God reveals in His word. But He doesn’t ask us to take a “whatever” attitude about it. He asks us for faith in His purpose.

Are lives are like the morning fog: here just a little while and then gone. But they count, they are important, they are given to serve and honor the living God – if only we will submit every aspect and moment of them to His will.

If the Lord wants you to, and He does, sweet sister, His glory will be made known in your small acts of service to your family, friends and neighbors. If the Lord wants you to, and He does, those you work with or train with will notice that you have something special going on within your character, words and work because you know you belong to Him.

But that can only happen if we actively, thoughtfully, and purposefully submit each small act and big project, each day, week, month and year, each moment, each word, each breath to His will, His purpose, and His glory.

Are lives are like the morning fog: here just a little while and then gone. But they count, they are important, they are given to serve and honor the living God – if only we will submit every aspect and moment of them to His will.

Next time, we will hit on the final verse of James 4 before we begin the final chapter of the book of James. I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on this book by the brother of Jesus.

Where shall we go next? Is there a book of the Bible you’d like to explore together?

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Fight Club, Part 1

In our last discussion of James, we asked, “Where does wisdom come from?” and found that we can test that wisdom’s source by asking some questions about the makeup of that wisdom.

Today, our friend, James, both asks and answers this question: “Where do fights come from?”. Today, I’ll address where they come from and the damage they do. Next week, we’ll talk about the cure.

James 4:1 [KJV] From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

The Greek word translated “fightings” can mean war and battles, or, as it is used in 2 Timothy 2:23 and Titus 3:9, it can mean quarrels, contention, or strife. The subsequent scriptures in James 4 tell us that our friend is more interested in troubles within the body of Christ, than in the Roman army taking over new territory.

James tells us that fights within the body of Christ come from lusts or desires for pleasure. We get in fights, cause strife, create drama in the body of Christ when we want something purely for ourselves and our own pleasure. Maybe it is a leadership role within the congregation. Or a desire for more authority over the church. Or to get the congregation to agree with some “new” or “more accurate” truth we want them to adopt.

These types of troubles come when we get our self esteem from power, position or praise, rather than from knowing that we are the much loved daughters of God. How does this happen to us – that we forget who we are and focus on what we have/can get instead?

James explains that in verse 4: You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

When we spend too much time immersed in and, thereby, influenced by the world around us that is all about getting and having and looking good, we can lose sight of who we really are and the primary goal of our earthly lives.

I am not going to tell you not to listen to secular music or have hobbies or read fiction or watch TV. A Christian woman can do that and still maintain a deep relationship with God. God isn’t asking for 24/7/365 prayer, Bible study and fellowship with believers. He sends us into the world, after all, to be lights there. We ought to be bringing the truth and love of God to all our secular interactions [work, sports, hobbies, etc.] to be an example of living in the world but not being of the world [John 17:14]. We cannot do that if we remain apart from it. We can’t know what is going on in the world or understand the struggle of those unbelievers we hope to influence if we aren’t out there in the world at all.

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

What we have to do is guard our hearts and minds against buying into the schtick the world pushes on us – especially the schtick that having things will make us happy and that having power is the measure of success. The lust for things and power is what is tearing the world down and it can take us down as well.

But don’t be fooled, sweet sisters, if the only people you are around is church brethren, Satan will use this very human lust for power, influence and things to cause division in the body of Christ. Satan will use human nature pull us toward fighting to be the praise leader or pastor, or to being angry that a new believer seems to be getting more spiritual or physical blessing than you. Satan is crafty and aggressive. He will attack with these human lusts no matter where you are in your spiritual walk. He doesn’t stop or hold back. What happens is that we get stronger. We become better fighters. Our armor gets more difficult for him to penetrate.

We have to spend enough time with God, the Bible and fellow believers to be armored up against the lies of Satan and the pull of this world. [For more about the armor we should put on daily, see Ephesians 6:13-18.] That amount of time might be different for each of us. But what is sure is that we need time with the Father and His Word every day.

Sweet sisters, the fight is on, but it should be a battle with Satan and human nature, not a battle with our brethren, neighbors or coworkers. Where do things contentions, fights and battles come from? Lust.

It isn’t wrong to want good things,  or positions of service, of course. But lust, a word that means to set your heart upon, long for or covet, is something our Father was concerned enough about to address in the 10 Commandments. [See Exodus 20:17.] It is something we must guard against if we don’t want strife in our churches.

Next time, we will discuss James’ cure for lust that causes fights in the church.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Where’d You Get That Wisdom?

Not all wisdom is created equal. James 3:17 [NLT] says, But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. We believers clearly need the wisdom that comes from above – from God.

When you read James 3:17, you may be thinking about what I’ve heard preachers call “worldly wisdom” or “the wisdom of the world”. I’ve heard many sermons about that too. Sermons with disparaging words about our educational system (especially colleges/universities), or so-called liberals and their views. I don’t think this is the kind of wisdom that our friend, James, is concerned about. After all, he was not writing to people who were concerned about university students trying to come into the congregation and tell everyone that evolution is how we came about, since evolution as a replacement for creation hadn’t come about yet. Or that people should be able to be called by the pronouns they prefer, not by the ones that the English language designated for them. That was not a “thing” back in James’ day.

Ephesians 4:15, “speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ”

I believe that James was more likely concerned with people who thought they had some special information from God – some unique doctrine or more perfect take on scripture – and who were causing strife by trying to force this on their local church.

I don’t know about you, but I have seen a lot more of that going on in our local churches than any “worldly, liberal” doctrines being brought into the congregation. I have seen preachers and teachers come up with their own take on Sabbath keeping, the Holy Days, how much of the Mosaic law we must keep (and how to keep it), parenting, women’s roles, what kind of music is appropriate for praise and worship, the order of services and other similar subjects that have fractured congregations. In fact, I don’t recall having EVER experienced anyone trying to take over a church with so-called liberal university ideas or even trying to force others to agree with them.

James outlines a tall order for the parameters of heavenly wisdom.

·         Pure

·         Peace loving

·         Gentle at all times

·         Willing to yield to others

·         Full of mercy

·         Full of good deeds

·         Without favoritism

·         Sincere

This list is the opposite of what I have sometimes seen in action when someone brings in “new truth” or a “better understanding” of the word of God into a congregation.

James’ list shows us that if we really have wisdom that is coming from God, even the purest of new truth, we will not split friends or a congregation with it. Instead, we will focus on peace, first and foremost. We will give our truth gently rather than forcing it on others. We would be willing to yield to others, even if they disagree. We would show mercy to those who “don’t get it” or see things differently. We’d focus on doing good, more than forcing new truth so that our works would speak for our love for the church, and not just our words. We would not show any favoritism to those who agree with us. In doing all this, we would show a level of sincerity for the health and education of the congregation that is often lacking from human, worldly wisdom applied to a Biblical truth.

This is also the message of Ephesians 4:11-16, where verse 15 brings us what I think is the pivotal point: speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--

Note that the author is talking about speaking the truth, not some false doctrine or worldly concept. Even the truth – especially the truth – must be spoken in love if we want our brethren and ourselves to grow into more Christ-like believers and if we want to call others into the faith using the truth.

The wisdom from above does not look at all like forcing some truth on anyone. The Rotary Club organization has a Four-Way Test that encourages Rotarians to think before they speak { The Four-Way Test - Wikipedia}.

·         Is it the truth?

·         Is it fair to all concerned?

·         Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

·         Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Looks to me like James has an Eight-Way Test for speaking specifically to our brothers and sisters in Christ about any new truth we might be blessed to receive and share.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Show Me

Our friend, James, is a “just do it” kind of guy. Recall that Martin Luther called it an “Epistle of straw” for it’s focus on the place that works have in our Christian lives.

So, the King James Version’s rendering of James 3:13 can be a bit misleading, especially coming on the heels of James’ fiery indictment of the tongue. James 3:13 in the KJV reads: Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

The word translated “conversation” means: “manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment”. James is actually saying that we should show that we have wisdom and knowledge by how we live our lives – NOT by what we say with our mouths.

I feel that the NIV gives a better translation: 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.

But I really like New Living Translation rendering:. If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

I am reminded of the lyrics from My Fair Lady, when Eliza Dolittle got frustrated with her suitors sweet words and inaction: “Don’t talk of stars burning above, if you’re in love, show me!”

I picture James saying, “don’t talk of honor, humility and heart, if you’ve got smarts, show them”.

Flowery words and skilled oration, talking of the Word and claiming to know this won’t cut it. We must show wisdom and understanding by using them to live an obedient and service-oriented life.

God is not going to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, you memorized the Bible cover to cover, sitting in your home and doing nothing at all with what you learned.” Nope.

What will He say? According to Luke 19:20-26, God will have harsh judgement for those who just sit on the truth and talents God gives them. Matthew 25:31-46 also gives us dire warning about those who don’t act on what they know by doing good to those in need.

Luke 19:23 [NKJV] 23 'Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?'

Godly wisdom and knowledge must be proven by how we live our lives – by good and humble conduct, not just by talking a good game. Once again, our friend, James, tells us to “just do it”.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: The Tongue

My friend, James, really gets on his soapbox about the tongue!

James 3:2 [NKJV] For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he [is] a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

I appreciate the fact that he treats the discussion as though the tongue itself is a tool, an object to be tamed and controlled.

He isn’t saying it is a mind or heart problem, although certainly having a heart of love and the mind of God would surely help in our efforts to tame the tongue. He is saying the tongue is a tool to use wisely.

James 3:9-12 [NKJV] 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh [water] and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Proverbs 16:13 [NKJV] tells us, “Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks [what is] right.”

Because the tongue is a tool, we must choose how to use it. Will we use it to praise God? Bring forth good things like encouragement and blessings for our family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, neighbors and acquaintances?

Will we even use it to pray for our enemies as we are told to do in Matthew 5:44 [NKJV], where it says, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”

Sweet sisters, will our tongues be tools for fresh water that souls the thirsty souls of this world?

Or will we let them be just another bringer of bitterness to this world by falling into gossip and complaining and angry words?

Proverbs 16:13 [NKJV] tells us, “Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks [what is] right.”

How much more is THE King be delighted when the lips and tongues of His daughters speak righteousness?

Our friend, James, gets pretty pointed about the tongue. He admits it can be tough to control, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge that it is God working in us that makes good possible.

Philippians 2:13 [NKJV] “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure.”

God, through the Holy Spirit, will help us control our tongues, not just to keep from saying what we shouldn’t, but also to ensure we say what we should – words of encouragement and truth and love.

Let’s pray to use the tool of the tongue for good, for encouragement for the glory of God and the preaching of the Gospel. If we are focused on using our tongues for that, maybe there won’t even be any time or place for it to be used for bad.

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

My Friend James: Uh, oh! Works!

Martin Luther famously called the book of James an “epistle of straw”, specifically because of its strong support of good works being required as evidence of faith. So, as we come to James 2:14-26, James, our friend and half-brother of Jesus, tells us that faith alone is not enough to keep us spiritually alive.

James 2:26 [ESV] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Do you want your faith to be dead? Of course not. Since the Holy scriptures do not contract themselves, how do we align “faith without works is dead” with Ephesians 2:8 [ESV] “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

James fully explains himself by using two important examples.

1.      Brothers and sisters in need.

James 2:15-16 [ESV] 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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?

God clearly expects us to do something when we have the means to do so, rather than just sending “thoughts and prayers”. Matthew 25:31-46 supports the link between doing for others and being a faith filled follower of Jesus.

2.      Abraham

James 2:21-23 [ESV] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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.

Abraham’s faith caused him to act on the thing God told him to do. Just like our faith should cause us to act. If you are a believer in following the great commandment to “love the Lord, your God with all your heart and with all our soul and with all your mind” and the second to “love your neighbor as yourself”, you should be led by the spirit to prove that love by doing – by serving both God and man.

Faith is the Fearless Active Intimate Traveling of Hope, from your Head to your Toes, that Ignights our Actions and Feelings to prove its presence. Faith moves mountains [Matt. 17:20]. It also moves believers.  

The scripture that many call the “great commission”: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” [Mark 16:15 ESV] is action oriented. “Go”, He says. There is no room for just believing that the gospel needs to be preached. Our feet must be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” [Eph. 6:16]. Gospel preaching is an action that shows both love and obedience.

James 2:26 [ESV] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Works do not save us. Works cannot save us. Works will not save us. We cannot “feed the hungry and visit the sick” our way into salvation. 1 Corinthians 13 shows us that good works can be done without underlying love and be of no effect on our spiritual journey. The one and only work required for our salvation was the work of Jesus Christ in being the Perfect Lamb and Savior. This work of His is what saves us.

Jesus’ faith in the Father and the Father’s plan for the salvation of mankind bled out from his hands, feet, and side.

Faith without works is dead because the faith God seeks from us is an active one. “Works” is not a dirty word. Works don’t save us. But good works pour out of the faithful children who live by faith like rivers of living water to bring hope and peace to a hurting world, and to preach an active gospel of love that leads sinners to an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father whose greatest work is to take us from lifeless dirt to eternal, spiritual life.  

I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.

You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

James 2:14-26 [ESV] 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 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. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 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? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.