Thoughts on James 5:1-6

5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. ² Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! ⁴ Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. ⁵ You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

As a minister I have often heard the argument for tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament. This same person also said I give God what I can when I can.  I know he would not want me to go without all the things that make me happy.  Then I have heard many say I already give to take care of those that are in need through the taxes I pay.  I have even work for a company that failed to pay me  my commission of 3% on a sizable (1.5 million dollars) contract.  I was bummed at the time, but continued to work for that company. Then one day they told me they no longer needed my services because of mismanagement they were going out of business. 

There are those who seek to get ahead in life financially off the backs of honest hard working people. Then there are those that scam the system refusing to work. Last there are those who just claim entitlement rights and refuse to start at the bottom and work their way up the ladder of success. James is speaking to all those that can pay a proper wage for a job, give to those in need, and most important tithe to the church.  If these words are hurting your pride then realize that James is speaking to you just as he has spoken to me. 

Maybe your priorities in life are not in line with God's priorities for holy stewardship.   Rather than condemn yourself in this life by living for material wealth, money, and more stuff you could consider a different approach.  Give out of your wealth knowing that as God has blessed you, you can now bless others.  Now you are a instrument of blessing being used by God as a means of grace.

Lord, I pray that those who are in your Church give back that which you have giving to them as an offering to be used to share the message of love.  May the outpouring of grace be poured out on those that practice the principle of good stewardship.  Amen...

Thoughts on James 4:13-17

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” ¹⁴ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” ¹⁶ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

In my twenties, I planned and sought out certain career ambitions.  I worked several jobs often bouncing around different jobs. Sometimes I would find a job and would think I really like this job.  I believe I have found my calling. Before I could even move up the first level my desires would get the best of me.  During these years I was not going to church.  I was the master of my own world and the demise of my God given purpose.  When I came back to the fold something happened.  God got a hold of my life and no-longer did I spend my days, daydreaming about a new business venture or some flashing new get rich quick scheme. 

The phase that should reach down and grab your spirit is, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."  In the south, where I am from this would read, "if the Lord wills and creeks don;t rise we will get with living out the blessings we do not deserve.  This should be a reminder to us that it is not our will that guides our every move, but the will of God guiding our life to be what He desires it to be. The ten years that I wondered around aimlessly.  My life felt like a vapor waiting on a strong gush of wind to disperse me over failed dreams and wasted ambitions.  Now, my life is filled with all the things God gives to humble me.  Without God, I know that I would not be where I am today.  I sense that this is the will of God for my life and all that I can say is thank you Lord for your will being done in my life because you make all things beautiful. 

If you have been struggling in life wondering why your plans never seem to workout.  And you have been bouncing around trying to find your purpose in life.  I encourage you to get up on Sunday morning and find a good church.  This too is hard to find.  But the key to knowing that this is where God wants you, is the peace that will flood your soul, the joy that will overwhelm your spirit, and a real life experience with God that keeps you wanting more of Him.

I pray that your life is filled with the will of the Lord and you too experience the happiness of knowing your calling in life.  Ask the Lord to guide your spirit if you truly want to taste the happiness He has for your life. Amen...

Journal To Remember All That He Has Done

Everyday I wonder how I will accomplish all that I have to do.  I think at times as American we put to much on our plate because we are driven to be productive.  What does it really mean to be productive? Are we just adding things to our daily lives to make us seem more productive or busy?  My typical day begins around 0430 when I get up to go workout.  Then I shower and dress for work.  I eat breakfast and then spend a few moments in prayer, devotions, and reflective thought.  I drive to work and spend the day in meetings, instructing or taking classes, counseling those that seek help or who are in need of advice, answer the day's email messages, and I try to get in a few minutes of professional study, and before you know it the day is gone.  I rush home to spend a few hours with my family before I we retire for the evening around 1130.

Some might ask why write a blog go to bed? Others might think I am crazy to even think that my blog is even a means of great communication of scripture thoughts, theological reflection, spiritual encouragement, or even useful for spiritual growth.  Well the blog is not just for those who might read it, but for me to frame my thoughts on what God is doing in my life.  I guess I am saying that when God moves in your life how are you remembering the interaction with the Holy One in your own walk?  I am not saying start a blog, but I am saying that when you are in the valley of life's challenges going back and reading what God has done during the high times is a reminder that He is still with you. 

I would like to ask those that read this blog to start writing down one thing a day that you experienced with God that encouraged you, challenged you, inspired you, strengthened you, called you back to reality, made you uncomfortable, caused you to step out in faith, etc... The reason I am asking you to do this is a lesson in remembering that God is always interacting with us, even when we get so busy and forget that He is with us.  I challenge you to write it down for a month. Each day before you write down the day's interaction with God read each entry for the previous entries.  What you will find is that God has never got so busy that He has forgotten to remind you that He desire to meet with you on a daily basis.

If you take on this challenge please let me know how it encourages you to be reminded that God is the one who sustains us each day. 

Thoughts on James 4:11-12

¹¹ Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

Our world is being polarized everyday with criticism from every direction towards all groups.  People are taking sides based solely on opinions, dogma, political ideology, positioning for power or economic fortune.  The attacks begin, the punches are thrown, the bruises are left, the enemy who every that is may appear to be wounded, and the hopes of peace is shattered.  I believe what James is speaking about is the destruction of peace that can only come from God work in and through those who seek to live out God's word.         

It is hard to not be critical of those who are not living according to the principles of God's moral order.  I can even say that I have a hard time with this myself.  I judge things, because it is human nature to judge people, actions, attitudes, and events that seem to go against God's intentions and what our responses towards injustices should be.  It is true that there are clear commandments found in scripture.  It is true that the range of scholarly work throughout history has provided us a greater understanding of the scriptures and their meaning.  However, with that said, when we condemn the sinner we then become the judge of the law and are not a doer of the law.  This is not our place as Christians.

We should not speak evil against anyone.  This means that our response to the sinner, the non-believer, and activist, is no different than our response to the Christian we are at odds with.  Rather than speak evil or to judge them ask this question; "how can I be of help to you?"  This is a hard thing to do when you are the subject of their attacks. Rather than allowing yourself to become engrossed in the battle look, listen, and pray for opportunity to emulate God's principle to be a doer of the word not a judge of the word.  

When I say this I am speaking to myself just as much as anyone.  I judge at times and find that when I do I fail to enhance a challenging relationship.  Change the mind of the person I am speaking with concerning a principle.  Rather I need to understand the principle and put it into practice in my actions.  I need to take up the gavel and condemn the person I disagree with concerning my opinion of what is God's position on their fate.  I have found that when I speak all high and mighty like I am the voice of God, I do not win the person over.  This does not mean that I agree with their actions or attitudes.  But understand that real change only occurs when we live out God's love towards those that desire injury our spirit, hope, and joy.  

So what does that mean for the struggles we face with those that desire to destroy our hope.  Let God be the judge of them.  Do not take up the fight of your judgements, but allow God to guide you in your words, actions, and attitude to show His love for all.   




  

Thought on James 4:1-10

¹ What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? ² You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask ^[c]with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. ⁴ You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? ⁶ But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷ Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

The bell rings the fighters move to the center of the ring to begin their brawl. In the UFC and Boxing world we know that the fight is not over a religious, political, or social position. It is about the winning of a title. To be the best in that weight class. The same is true in other kinds of sports such as football, basketball, baseball, golf, etc... What James is talking about is the fighting between people of faith and their spiritual understanding of the scriptures in relation to the material possessions the world seeks to offer.

He hits on the fact that many in the day sought out the faith not for the salvation that was offered but for the motives of self service. To use God as a lucky charm. When a child does not get the item he or she cries for they may throw a fit in the aisle of the toy store. When an adult does not get what he or she desires they may seek to destroy that which stands in the way of their desires. This could even mean to destroy the faith or person that is standing in the way of the motives of their heart.

Thus, you cannot serve the motives of your heart in the world and still call God Father, Lord, Redeemer, Comforter, Counselor, etc... We make the world our friend by accepting the pleasures it offers and therefore wage war on our spiritual soul. James here is practicing the pastoral roll of Admonishing the people of God to resist the devil schemes so he will flee from you. If you recognize within your heart the times of lust, envy, prideful attitude, adulteresses actions and seek to draw near to God, He will draw near to you. Cleanse your deeds and motives, so that you remain in the presence of the Lord to be exalted as a humble servant.

Pray with me, Dear Lord you are the example of humility teach me to by humble. I confess that there are times that I have not acted with pure intentions. Help me to resist the temptations of the world by drawing nearer to your grace. Turning my mourning into laughter and my gloom into joy, when I resist the world's pleasures. Let your grace show me humility and your rod of correction guide my path. With a pure heart and clean hands may I serve you all the days of my life. Amen...