GOD IS THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT
GOD IS THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT
James 1:16-17 – Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
The core of deception is rooted in keeping us from the intent of God the Father. He intends good for our lives and He wants to give us gifts, for this is His nature.
False religion is driven by so-called deities that demand obedience in some way that is tied to our flesh. The God of heaven enjoys obedience that comes from a willing heart, motivated by the love which God the Father has lavished upon His creation. Life itself came from Him. As I look out on the beauty of large oak trees, a small lake filled with fish and other living creatures, I am reminded of His love for me. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
ALL MEN ARE TEMPTED, BUT GOD IS NOT THE ORIGINATOR OF THE TEMPATION
ALL MEN ARE TEMPTED, BUT GOD IS NOT THE ORIGINATOR OF THE TEMPATION
James 1:13 – Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
This is a very critical Scriptural principle to understand. “God cannot be tempted by evil.” I think of Job when I read this. In the Book of Job it tells us that Satan appeared before God. Satan pointed out Job to God and requested permission to tempt Job. Satan hoped to cause him to curse God. God gave Satan permission, but forbade him to take Job’s life. Was God being tempted by evil? Was God tempting Job by giving Satan permission? I believe the answer is “no” on both counts. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
PERSEVERANCE UNDER PRESSURE WILL BRING WITH IT A GREAT REWARD
PERSEVERANCE UNDER PRESSURE WILL BRING WITH IT A GREAT REWARD
James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
To persevere is always admirable. Just keep thinking “I can do it!” I remember in High School when I ran my first cross country race thinking to myself, “I don’t know if I can make it to the finish line.” I began to set goals to help me make it from one point to another. Finally, the finish line was in sight and it became my final goal. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
LIFE FADES LIKE THE GRASS AND FLOWERS OF THE FIELD
LIFE FADES LIKE THE GRASS AND FLOWERS OF THE FIELD
James 1:9-10 – The brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
Here we read of the wisdom of God. The Lord always sees both sides of the coin. On the one hand, the person who does not possess a lot of this world’s goods should recognize in Christ that he has been highly exalted. He is the son of a King and everything his Father would choose for him to have is his for the asking. On the other hand, the one who has been blessed with this world’s goods should walk in humility. He only has what he has by God’s goodness. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
THROUGH FRUSTRATION AND PAIN WE GROW AND BECOME STRONG IN FAITH
THROUGH FRUSTRATION AND PAIN WE GROW AND BECOME STRONG IN FAITH
James 1:2 – Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
This scripture is hard for many to receive because it appears to be a negative statement. It is not our human desire to encounter different kinds of trials, but James says to “count it all joy”! We are to count “trials” as joy, because if we endure them, they will produce maturity in us. The word “perfect” here means “mature,” so James instructs us “to let endurance have its perfect result.” READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE