No Pain, No Gain
A couple from church renewed their gym membership this week after letting it lapse for years. This couple had become out of shape, soft, flabby and stiff from inaction. Finally, they decided they had to change their ways. We will be travelling though the book of James in the weeks ahead. This book is the gym for Christians. It helps us deal with all the trials, troubles and temptations of life. James provides the instruction and the exercise that all Christians need to tone up, strengthen their core and be ready for the race of endurance.
Cool Down
When problems come our way, we like to point at other people and pass the blame. When someone hurts us, we feel we are the target of their selfishness and anger. However, we may be the biggest cause of our problems. Every one of us is tempted by evil desires every day, and we don’t listen to God. The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Are we in control of ourselves╤our words, our anger?” We need to remember the words of James and throw off all the filth and sin that so easily entangles and ruins our lives.
Weak Made Strong
The blood of Jesus Christ is the reason mercy triumphs over judgment. The entire theme of the Bible is that mercy is administered in Christ. In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV) God expects us to be merciful rather than judgmental. We all sin and fall short of God’s glory, but the sacrificial death of Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven and saved. We must lift others up and help them to become stronger in Christ and understand this gift He has given us.
Working Up a Sweat
James 2:24 MSG asks, “Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?” You believe in God and what the Bible says, but what are you doing with what you believe? A smile to someone, mowing someone’s lawn, a dollar in the Dollar Club Box, a prayer for missionaries, a visit to someone who is homebound, a kind word╤these are acts of “faith fruitful in works.” Ask God how you can turn a barren faith into a fruitful faith. He will show you how.
Feel the Burn
There is a challenge we often must deal with–living in the Kingdom of God while living in this world. We can be caught between the two realms and find ourselves in conflict with each world. There is a road map to navigate through this challenge. That path begins with having the right priorities and the proper intentions. The Scriptures warn us, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3 NIV) “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6b NIV)
Crossfit
There is a challenge we often must deal with–living in the Kingdom of God while living in this world. We can be caught between the two realms and find ourselves in conflict with each world. There is a road map to navigate through this challenge. That path begins with having the right priorities and the proper intentions. The Scriptures warn us, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3 NIV) “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6b NIV)