"Consider it pure joy, my brothers..."
What are the next words to this statement? When you have all the riches of the world? When you find the most beautiful man or women on the planet? When you get promoted? When all you debt is paid off?
I think that it is interesting that when we think of joy we automatically think happiness. James redefines the true definition of joy in the beginning of his book. By his statement he is saying that joy is counter cultural. It does not come from anything the world offers. The lasting joy that he speaks of comes from Christ doing work inside of us. This is the joy that is everlasting.
"...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
What are the joys in your life that you need to redefine?
God we ask for the eyes of James so we may see the good work that you are completing in us.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Imagine...
You are in a cave. There is war all around you. People are constantly trying to kill you. Death could be just around the corner. Your city is being turned upside down with wickedness. Your heart is overwhelmed with sorrow. Everything seems like it is falling a part...
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."
This was David's song. He was being battered night and day and yet he remembered who was watching over him.
That is what it means when are hearts are sealed in the name of Jesus Christ. There is power in his name that protects us from all evil. We are sealed.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
He will NEVER let us fall, we are SEALED, He will SUSTAIN.
You are in a cave. There is war all around you. People are constantly trying to kill you. Death could be just around the corner. Your city is being turned upside down with wickedness. Your heart is overwhelmed with sorrow. Everything seems like it is falling a part...
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."
This was David's song. He was being battered night and day and yet he remembered who was watching over him.
That is what it means when are hearts are sealed in the name of Jesus Christ. There is power in his name that protects us from all evil. We are sealed.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
He will NEVER let us fall, we are SEALED, He will SUSTAIN.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
He will not RELENT unitl HE has it all
What does this mean?
It means that He is going to pursue us with passion.
It means that He will not take no for an answer.
Once Jesus is in our lives there is no seperating Him from any part of our lives. The greatest distances mean nothing to him. Neither angels nor demons will stand in His way. It may mean that our hearts are tied up in knots for someone or something. He will push when we don't want to go anywhere. But He knows...
He sees what he is creating. He knows that we will draw nearer to him.
So why wouldn't He push?
Praise Him for these times when we cannot see because we know that eternal life lies in what is unseen.
Jesus watch over us when we feel as though darkness is around us. Let us remember that we are sons and daughters of the light and that light resides inside of us. Clad us in that armor that defends us from the enemies fire.
It means that He is going to pursue us with passion.
It means that He will not take no for an answer.
Once Jesus is in our lives there is no seperating Him from any part of our lives. The greatest distances mean nothing to him. Neither angels nor demons will stand in His way. It may mean that our hearts are tied up in knots for someone or something. He will push when we don't want to go anywhere. But He knows...
He sees what he is creating. He knows that we will draw nearer to him.
So why wouldn't He push?
Praise Him for these times when we cannot see because we know that eternal life lies in what is unseen.
Jesus watch over us when we feel as though darkness is around us. Let us remember that we are sons and daughters of the light and that light resides inside of us. Clad us in that armor that defends us from the enemies fire.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Reminder of where we come from
You stood before creation
You hold the earth in your hands
You saw our unformed bodies before we ever entered this world
You know the path we will take
You will provide
You have sacrificed everything
It is you who judge men
It is you who pour out your grace onto our lives
You bring men freedom from darkness
It is you who shine in the dark places
It is your hope that sustains life
Your right hand that holds nations
Your love overwhelms
It is by your peace that we are able to live
You first served when we were undeserving
You called us saints
You made us righteous
You keep your covenants when we can barely keep our word
You are our firm foundation
You are our rock
YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US
There is a pattern in these statements. None of these things have to do with our doing. It is only by God's insurmountable love that we are able to even exsist.
You hold the earth in your hands
You saw our unformed bodies before we ever entered this world
You know the path we will take
You will provide
You have sacrificed everything
It is you who judge men
It is you who pour out your grace onto our lives
You bring men freedom from darkness
It is you who shine in the dark places
It is your hope that sustains life
Your right hand that holds nations
Your love overwhelms
It is by your peace that we are able to live
You first served when we were undeserving
You called us saints
You made us righteous
You keep your covenants when we can barely keep our word
You are our firm foundation
You are our rock
YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US
There is a pattern in these statements. None of these things have to do with our doing. It is only by God's insurmountable love that we are able to even exsist.
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