* The respect you show God and His Word on Sundays says a lot about your faith in Him.
* The attitude you show the world on Mondays says a lot about your faith in God.
* How much time you spend reading your Bible and in prayer on Tuesdays says a lot about your faith in God.
* The number of brethren you visit with on Wednesdays says a lot about your faith in God.
* The opportunities and resources you utilize in helping the needy on Thursdays says a lot about your faith in God.
* The amount of energy and frequency you use teaching/telling others about Jesus on Fridays says a lot about your faith in God.
* Where you go and what you do on Saturdays says a lot about your faith in God.
Now, I realize that all of these pertain to every aspect of our Christianity every day. I just thought it would be a way to help us realize that we are to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Do you sacrifice for Christ daily as Paul did (1 Cor. 15:31)?
September 28, 2009
September 25, 2009
What does faith look like? part 6
Background from the NT: James 5
Memory Verse: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. -- James 5:16
It stands against corruption and unrighteousness -- James 5:1-6
A stark warning of things to come for those whose treasure is their riches
A reminder that God hears the cries of innocent victims
It stands in support of those who faithfully endure -- James 5:7-11
Another reference to the Harvest Principle, chapter 3, verse 18
Repeating the themes of chapter 1, verses 2-4
"The end of the Lord" is marked by His mercy
It is linked with prayer -- James 5:13-18
In case of troubles, PRAY
In case of sickness, PRAY
In case of sin, PRAY
Memory Verse: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. -- James 5:16
It stands against corruption and unrighteousness -- James 5:1-6
A stark warning of things to come for those whose treasure is their riches
A reminder that God hears the cries of innocent victims
It stands in support of those who faithfully endure -- James 5:7-11
Another reference to the Harvest Principle, chapter 3, verse 18
Repeating the themes of chapter 1, verses 2-4
"The end of the Lord" is marked by His mercy
It is linked with prayer -- James 5:13-18
In case of troubles, PRAY
In case of sickness, PRAY
In case of sin, PRAY
September 18, 2009
What does faith look like? part 5
Background from the NT: James 4
Background from the OT: Psalms 90:1-12
Memory Verse: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. -- James 4:10
It seeks the will of God -- James 4:1-3
We want the wrong things, then sin to get what we should not have in the first place
It humbly seeks the friendship of God -- James 4:4-10
You have to choose: be friends with the world or with God. You can't have it both ways
Verse 5, New Living translation: "What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, jealously longs for us to be faithful?
The blood of Jesus makes it possible to be a friend of God. See also Hebrews 10:22.
It does not judge others -- James 4:11-12
When we judge others, we're making ourselves equal to God.
Our job is not to interpret the law, but to obey it.
It is not presumptuous -- James 4:13-17
We have forgotten the truth behind the saying "If the Good Lord's willing, and the creek don't rise."
Our society stresses the importance of independence and self-determination. Faith understand just how insignificant we and our puny plans are when compared to the majesty of God.
Background from the OT: Psalms 90:1-12
Memory Verse: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. -- James 4:10
It seeks the will of God -- James 4:1-3
We want the wrong things, then sin to get what we should not have in the first place
It humbly seeks the friendship of God -- James 4:4-10
You have to choose: be friends with the world or with God. You can't have it both ways
Verse 5, New Living translation: "What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, jealously longs for us to be faithful?
The blood of Jesus makes it possible to be a friend of God. See also Hebrews 10:22.
It does not judge others -- James 4:11-12
When we judge others, we're making ourselves equal to God.
Our job is not to interpret the law, but to obey it.
It is not presumptuous -- James 4:13-17
We have forgotten the truth behind the saying "If the Good Lord's willing, and the creek don't rise."
Our society stresses the importance of independence and self-determination. Faith understand just how insignificant we and our puny plans are when compared to the majesty of God.
September 9, 2009
What does faith look like? part 4
Background from the NT: James 3
Memory Verse: And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. -- James 3:18
It understands the power of the tongue -- James 3:3-8
We can tame horses with a bit
We can turn ships with a rudder
We can burn a forest to the ground with a single match
The tongue will not easily be tamed
It produces the right "fruit" -- James 3:9-12
Olives don't grow on fig trees
Salt water doesn't flow from a fresh water spring
The presence of Faith will bring forth fruits of the spirit and fresh, living water
Galations 5:22 -- Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meetkness, Temperance
It has heavenly wisdom -- James 3:13-18
Earthly wisdom is characterised by envy, jealousy, bitterness, strife, confusion, evil works. If so-called wisdom looks like that, it's from the devil.
God's wisdom is pure and good -- it's easy to spot.
It recognises the "Harvest Principle" (verse 18) : sowing, cultivating, harvesting
The peace-making farmer sows seeds of righteousness
He tends the fields, weeds out the bitterness, waters it with fresh water
When the harvest comes, he reaps what he has sown, which has increased in measure to the effort he made to tend it.
Most crops take a season to mature -- Faith is no different.
Memory Verse: And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. -- James 3:18
It understands the power of the tongue -- James 3:3-8
We can tame horses with a bit
We can turn ships with a rudder
We can burn a forest to the ground with a single match
The tongue will not easily be tamed
It produces the right "fruit" -- James 3:9-12
Olives don't grow on fig trees
Salt water doesn't flow from a fresh water spring
The presence of Faith will bring forth fruits of the spirit and fresh, living water
Galations 5:22 -- Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meetkness, Temperance
It has heavenly wisdom -- James 3:13-18
Earthly wisdom is characterised by envy, jealousy, bitterness, strife, confusion, evil works. If so-called wisdom looks like that, it's from the devil.
God's wisdom is pure and good -- it's easy to spot.
It recognises the "Harvest Principle" (verse 18) : sowing, cultivating, harvesting
The peace-making farmer sows seeds of righteousness
He tends the fields, weeds out the bitterness, waters it with fresh water
When the harvest comes, he reaps what he has sown, which has increased in measure to the effort he made to tend it.
Most crops take a season to mature -- Faith is no different.
September 5, 2009
What does faith look like? part 3
Background from the NT: James 2
Memory Verse: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. -- James 2:17
It's a level playing field -- James 2:1-9
Faith is an equalizer -- we shouldn't give preferential treatment to people based on outward things like race, social class, wealth, etc.
Partiality implies an inner judgement of worth
It is contrary to God's way of doing things if we commit that sin.
a.Read 1 Samuel 16:7
It abides in God's "Law of Liberty" -- James 2:10-13
It strives to uphold all the law (Commandments)
It agrees with Jesus' teaching that hating a brother is the same as murder (Matthew 5:22)
Note the warning of mercy and judgment
It's made alive through works -- James 2:14-20
It walks the walk
It's practical -- Faith says "God loves you,
It's more than just "believing in God" (vs 19)
It has feet -- James 2:21-26
Abraham: justified by faith, and by doing the will of God
Rahab, a common whore: justified by faith, and by doing the will of God
Memory Verse: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. -- James 2:17
It's a level playing field -- James 2:1-9
Faith is an equalizer -- we shouldn't give preferential treatment to people based on outward things like race, social class, wealth, etc.
Partiality implies an inner judgement of worth
It is contrary to God's way of doing things if we commit that sin.
a.Read 1 Samuel 16:7
It abides in God's "Law of Liberty" -- James 2:10-13
It strives to uphold all the law (Commandments)
It agrees with Jesus' teaching that hating a brother is the same as murder (Matthew 5:22)
Note the warning of mercy and judgment
It's made alive through works -- James 2:14-20
It walks the walk
It's practical -- Faith says "God loves you,
It's more than just "believing in God" (vs 19)
It has feet -- James 2:21-26
Abraham: justified by faith, and by doing the will of God
Rahab, a common whore: justified by faith, and by doing the will of God
September 4, 2009
What Does faith Look Like Part 2
Background from the NT: James 1: 13 - 27
Memory Verse: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. -- James 1:22
It recognises the beginning and the end of sin -- James 1:13-16
1. Rule of thumb #1: God does not tempt anyone. Never has, never will.
2. Rule of thumb #2: Lust is the lure, sin is the hook, death waits at the other end of the fishing line.
It recognises the source of righteousness -- James 1:17-20
Every "good and perfect" thing is a gift from God
Through faith we accept the ultimate good gift of His Word -- Jesus
It knows the difference between "walking the walk" and "talking the talk" -- James 1:21-27
We are commanded to put wickedness away and meekly receive the Spirit of God. It's a choice.
We are commanded to Do, not just Hear.
We are commanded to take control of our language.
We are commanded to love others, and to keep ourselves clean from the nastiness of this world. (keep your distance from the gutter or you will get splattered)
Memory Verse: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. -- James 1:22
It recognises the beginning and the end of sin -- James 1:13-16
1. Rule of thumb #1: God does not tempt anyone. Never has, never will.
2. Rule of thumb #2: Lust is the lure, sin is the hook, death waits at the other end of the fishing line.
It recognises the source of righteousness -- James 1:17-20
Every "good and perfect" thing is a gift from God
Through faith we accept the ultimate good gift of His Word -- Jesus
It knows the difference between "walking the walk" and "talking the talk" -- James 1:21-27
We are commanded to put wickedness away and meekly receive the Spirit of God. It's a choice.
We are commanded to Do, not just Hear.
We are commanded to take control of our language.
We are commanded to love others, and to keep ourselves clean from the nastiness of this world. (keep your distance from the gutter or you will get splattered)
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