Archive for March 2019
S12P9 – The testing of faith: giving up the ghosts of unclean things
James 1:21So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. In our physical world, two solid objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. This…
Read MoreS12P8 – The testing of faith: leaving our impulses behind
James 1:19-20Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He…
Read MoreS12P7 – The testing of faith: accepting the simplicity of God’s love for us
James 1:18It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes]. When I came…
Read MoreS12P6 – The testing of faith: from whence the good gifts come
James 1:16-17Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is…
Read MoreS12P5 – The testing of faith: knowing the source of temptation
James 1:13-15Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited…
Read MoreS12P4 – The testing of faith: the proof of our love
James 1:12Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. One might read this verse and focus…
Read MoreGod’s children cannot lose
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jz3ei-ab1ddf When we give ourselves to God as He requires, completely, we lose nothing. In wholly submitting to God, we gain everything. Let us make sure that our perspective of self-sacrifice is correct, a perspective of gain instead of one of loss. – C.C.
Read MoreS12P3 – The testing of faith: valuing the eternal over the temporary
James 1:9-11Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like…
Read MoreS12P2 – The testing of faith: the necessity of walking without doubt
James 1:5-8If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for…
Read MoreS12P1 – The testing of faith: the focus
This series explores the testing of our faith, its process and purpose, as explained by James to the scattered tribes of Israel. James 1:2-4Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and…
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