James on: Humility and Direction

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."                                                      James 4:7-10    NKJV

Submit

When we resist the devil in Jesus' Name, he must flee from us. However, there is more to do than this. Firstly, we need to submit to God. In other words, we need to place ourselves under His care and direction. Some people find it difficult to submit to anyone, let alone God. But, to refuse to submit demonstrates a 'proud spirit'. To be proud in this way shows rebellion, selfishness, the act of being puffed up and that you are better than the others. 

Lucifer became this, (Isaiah 14:12-21). He became proud and wanted what God had. It brought him to his downfall. Now Satan is hell-bound, together with his demons dreading the day that Jesus returns.

Draw near

To draw near is a phrase used in the Old Testament describing the Levitical priests approaching God with their sacrifices, (Exodus 19:22) hence, when God's people draw near to Him in worship, He will always draw near to them in response. (Zechariah 1:3).

Lament, mourn and weep

In verse 9, James writes that we should lament, mourn and weep about our sin. When we sin we often have a great awareness of it - a heaviness that won't go away and creates, guilt and remorse. This is conviction and the feeling can be horrid. This is the time we need to draw near to God and confess this, seeking His forgiveness. When we do, He in return will draw near to us and totally forgive us. (1 John 1:9). We all have times such as this, you are not the only one. Check out verse 10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

He is a forgiving, loving God who longs to give us His best. Just reach out to Him and receive all that he has for you. You will never regret it.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

James on: Godly Wisdom v the Wisdom of the World

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual and demonic.                                                                                               

                                                                                                          James 3:13-15    NKJV

David Jeremiah writes: 

'With this passage, James presents the dramatic contrast between earthly and heavenly wisdom'.

A person's life reflects the source of their wisdom. Those who have a sound relationship with God, are understanding and concerned for others. They demonstrate the wisdom of Heaven. In contrast, those who are not walking with Him, will be sensual and selfish, reflecting the wisdom of Satan. 

God's wisdom is offered continually (James 1:5) to meet the many demands that we face in any given day. Let us take a look at seven characteristics of Godly wisdom:

Purity.  Wisdom is based on God's holiness. He is morally blameless and totally incapable of producing sin in any form. (James 4:8)

Peaceable.  True peace is always grown out of purity. When we are walking in purity and God's peace, it will affect people around us.  (Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7)

Gentleness.  Strife come from belonging to the world, but gentleness is a characteristic of God's servants as they go about their day. (Matthew 11:29)

Willing to take instruction.  God's people are ready and willing to learn about Him and serve Him as they walk in His ways. Someone who is unwilling to take instruction should be treated with caution. Such people may be puffed up with pride, wanting their own way all the time.

Full of Mercy and Good Fruit.  God's wisdom must be demonstrated in word and truth, living up to our calling, introducing Jesus to whoever we meet.

Without Partiality.  God's people should never discriminate against others

Without Hypocrisy.  The hypocrite says one thing and does another. Wisdom is sincere and real. Wisdom doesn't play games. Wisdom is transparent.

As we have seen, wisdom is freely available to whoever asks God for it. We cannot live without it. We need wisdom to guide us along the truth, discerning what God wants of us. Walking in the Spirit will always equip you with this. He is full of wisdom.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

James on: The Untamable Tongue

"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.      

                                                                                                         James 3:8     NKJV 

A horse has a bit place into its mouth so that they obey us and we are able to turn their whole body. This is only a small implement but it does a perfect job. After a while, the horse become rein-trained and able to safely have a rider on its back. A ship has a rudder, which again is only a small implement but, it is able to steer the whole ship into the direction that it should be going. The human tongue, again is only small, but unlike the other two, a person finds it practically impossible to tame it. We can come close but the only one who is successful in taming the tongue is God. This is why we need Him each and everyday, in whatever situation we find ourselves in.

James, in our text, says that it is unruly and full of deadly poison, and it certainly can be. It boasts and brags if we're not careful and can kindle a fire in no time at all. With the tongue, some people started gossip fires years ago and the flames are still burning. The uncontrolled tongue can set a life on fire; it can destroy self-esteem, devastate relationships, ruin careers and kill a ministry rather like a match or a discarded BBQ can start a forest fire.

With the tongue, we praise God and curse our brother or sister. We can praise God in church and have a great worship time and then, on the journey home, have an argument with a spouse or, shout abuse at another motorist, allowing words that curse. This happen when we're not in control. We think we are, but we allow the devil to trip us up because, like a poisonous snake he is waiting to strike and inject his poison. The one who controls the tongue is mature and it can be seen that this person spends a lot of time in the presence of God.

The uncontrolled tongue doesn't only leads us to use angry words and have a shouting match with someone. What about the words we use most days like, 'I feel awful today, I think I've got the flu.' Or, 'I feel like death.' And another favourite, 'I'll never get this right, I just can't do this.' These are words and phrases that we should avoid. We're confessing curses upon ourselves and we need to stop this habit at once. 

In order to change this, we need to allow God to take the reins; we need to surrender all to Him and allow Him to teach us how to live; how to speak; how to think. It all comes down to what I always say, there's evidence that we need to spend more time in God's presence.

Try a little test, when you know that you have said something you know you shouldn't, try taking the word back and replace it with a more appropriate word. Also, try saying sorry more often. Just keep trying. God likes that!

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

James on: Faith and Works

"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?                                                        James 2:14     NKJV 

This verse together with the Apostle Paul's writings, has often clashed over the years. However, once studied, it is so clear - so understandable. Instead of what people have called contradiction, they are actually in agreement and both bring it out in their own way.

A person who has asked Jesus into their life, is saved. That cannot be taken from him or her, and it is by faith in Jesus that this has happened. One cannot earn salvation by doing good works. Salvation comes by faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-10 says:

'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.'

Notice, carefully, Paul is saying that we are saved for, not by our works. This is very important and shows how Paul and James were in harmony over this matter. Therefore, if we profess to be a Christian, one who is a bible reading, Spirit-filled confessing man or woman of God and someone asks for help, God would expect us to assess the situation properly, not just send them away with a blessing. If by example, someone is hungry and has no means of satisfying that hunger and, we have the means to satisfy this need but instead, send them away with a, 'I'll pray for you brother. Things will get better, just trust God.' That does not show the love of God. It's the same if a person needs money or clothes; if we are able to meet their need - comfortably - but instead, send them away empty-handed, have we demonstrated the love and the works of God? No, we haven't. 

To profess Christianity, we must act as Jesus did and would in any given situation. This doesn't mean that we should allow people to take us for a ride and con us. This is why we need to be open to the Spirit of God. If we are, He will show us who are genuine and who are not.

As we have seen, we cannot earn salvation. This comes through faith in Jesus. However, it doesn't stop there. Remember, we are saved for our good works not because of them.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

James on: Partiality, Favouritism and Discrimination

 "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality"                                                                               James 2:1-13    NKJV

Partiality fits into the category of, prejudice, bias, more favourable to something or someone, class distinction, snobbery, lack of respect, discrimination and favouritism. God has no favourites, not at all, not even Jesus. He loves us the same (John 17:23). It may seem that He has at times, especially when people appear to be doing much better than us. But, he has no favourites at all. 

Verse 2 reads:

'For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand here", or "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?'

This is a perfect example of favouritism, in fact, discrimination and we should never practice this. 

I remember when I was pastoring a particular church and we ran a Day Centre which was open 7 days a week to feed and clothe the homeless, people with addictions and really, people just down on their luck. Many of them used to come to the church services, which was great, and quite a few of them came to know Jesus as their Lord. However, a certain official within the organisation who I used to meet up with periodically, asked me if I would consider having two services -one for the church members and another for the people from the Day Centre. He felt that it was not good to mix the two sets of people because they were smelly and they could be tempted to steal purses and handbags. I was shocked but replied, 'If you can show me in the bible where Jesus would do this, then yes, I would consider it.' This kind of closed the conversation down and I think, that day, I became a marked man.

We should never show partiality towards people. We don't know where they have come from or what they have been through. Let us not forget what the writer of Hebrews says in Chapter 13:2, 

'Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some have unwittingly entertained angels.'

This is an amazing verse. You never know who you are dealing with. Let that be a lesson. God sees all that we do. He hates discrimination. This is why He wants us to love each other, as He has loved us.

Let us never be tempted to avoid the one who is left out of the equation - the one who is down on his luck. Some are con men, that is true, but they may not be, it may be an angel that you help; and God is right there with you anyway.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

                                                                           

James on: Walk it - don't just talk it!

"But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourself."     

                                                                                                        James 1:22-23     NKJV 

Our beliefs must translate into the way we live our lives. If our faith in Christ really means anything, we will stand out. People will notice a difference and be drawn to us. 

David Jeremiah says:

'Those who show very little concern for people in need, make no effort to control their tongue, and are overly preoccupied with getting ahead, should check to see if their faith is real. To claim to belong to Jesus but mirror the attitudes and actions of the world, may be a sign that they're only fooling themselves.'

Very strong words indeed, but this is what James meant. Without application there can be no spiritual transformation. We can listen to sermons all the day and read our bibles until we know it off by heart; however, if it doesn't have an effect on how we live our lives, it is nothing but a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1). 

James says to be a hearer and not a doer is like someone looking at his reflection in a mirror, only to go away and immediately forget what he looks like. To look at yourself in a mirror can't change you; it can't change your hair or press and tidy your clothes. It is just the reality of things and is a call to action to change things, hence being a doer.

Therefore, we have a challenge. To walk as Jesus walked, we need to change a few things and one of these is, to be a doer of the Word. To be anything different is to be hypercritical. We must live up to the Word and one way is to not only hear the Word, but to ensure that we put it into action and live the life, 24/7. Anyone can witness another person reading a bible; but what makes the difference, is to see that person putting into action what they have just read, not walking by on the other side and leaving it for someone else to do. We need to take the gospel to people. It's useless preaching the Word if we are not demonstrating it in our lives.

When we have this right, people will begin to notice us; they'll want to be with us and speak with us. They may even tell us their problems because, they sense we will listen to them and offer advice. They will trust us. In fact, the Holy Spirit will send people to us, people will knock on your door asking for help; people will speak to you in the supermarkets telling you all about what they're going through. The Holy Spirit will direct them to seek you out. Will you be ready for this? If you want this, you need to 'Walk it - don't just talk it'.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

James: on Stop, Look and Listen

19 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."    

                                                                                                          James 1:19-20    NKJV

God has planted within each of us a new nature. We have all we need to live for spiritual growth but, we must receive it, humbly placing ourselves under the authority of God.

Here, James writes that we should:

*  be quick to listen and hear properly, especially to God's thoughts and words

*  be slow to speak, not only wanting your own point of view, others have one too

*  be slow to anger - becoming angry will not achieve God's righteous plan for your life

Out of control anger should never be part of our make up. Psalm 37:8 says, 'Cease from anger and forsake wrath.' Rt Kendall aptly says, 'Will my flesh rule the moment or my spirit?' And Ecclesiastes 7:9 'Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.' Unrighteous anger is a no go area.

Do you listen to others and do you take notice of it or shrug it off? More importantly, do you listen to God, or just rush out hoping that it's God's will? This is a most dangerous area if you don't listen to Him and try to do things on your own. When you listen, as Mark Twain once commented, do you use the third ear? This means examining closely what is really being said; what does it mean and are you only hearing part of what should be said. 

How are you with the words that come out of your mouth? Do you listen without comment, until you have digested what is being said, or do you keep interrupting and blasting the speaker with both barrels? Do you let rip with your mouth not really caring what you say because you have lost control? 

When your point of view is not accepted, do you throw a wobbly, again completely out of control? Remember, first and foremost, we are Christians. We belong to Jesus. He has made us the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21). Acting in a foolhardy and irresponsible manner does not paint a good picture of our faith. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, 'Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil'. Anger is sinful when it attacks people and seeks revenge rather than addressing the problem. Righteous anger seeks to uphold Kingdom business, it ensures things are in place and ship-shape.

Therefore, sharpen your listening skills, take control of what comes out of your mouth, and allow God to offer you anger management, if you need it. Just think for a moment, if you're not careful, you may lose control, speak words that you are ashamed of later and then meet someone who was a witness to your outburst. How embarrassing and shameful that would be.

Make a habit of having a stop, look and listen attitude.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE