We use the tongue to praise God the Father and to curse those who bear His image. "My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:10; NKJV). Use your speech for good!
James 3:1-12; NKJV
1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
2 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.
3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
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.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Faith Without Works is Dead
We are not saved by "faith only." We are not saved by anything "only." We are saved by everything that God has purposed to save us with working together as one.
James 2:14-26; NKJV
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus 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 without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:14-26; NKJV
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus 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 without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Hidden In My Heart
"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24; NKJV)
Friday, October 4, 2013
Jehovah and the Law
"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10; NKJV)
This is true because Jehovah God is behind every law.
Consider the law. Consider Him. Be like Him and be innocent.
This is true because Jehovah God is behind every law.
Consider the law. Consider Him. Be like Him and be innocent.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Obedience and Nearness
"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25; NKJV)
If you would draw near to God, "receive with meekness" His word (James 1:21).
Be a doer of His word (James 1:22, 25).
Be blessed with His nearness through obedience.
If you would draw near to God, "receive with meekness" His word (James 1:21).
Be a doer of His word (James 1:22, 25).
Be blessed with His nearness through obedience.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Every
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17; NKJV).
Every - pas - including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole (Strong's).
Consider how "every good gift and every perfect gift" is from Him and draw near to Him in praise and thanksgiving.
Every - pas - including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole (Strong's).
Consider how "every good gift and every perfect gift" is from Him and draw near to Him in praise and thanksgiving.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
If Any of You
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5; NKJV)
James 1:5 is funny. "If any of you lacks wisdom." That's funny.
I lack wisdom. I need wisdom. My God invites me to receive by asking.
James 1:5 is funny. "If any of you lacks wisdom." That's funny.
I lack wisdom. I need wisdom. My God invites me to receive by asking.
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