Category: James

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Prospectors Wanted

I wanted you to know that I missed sharing with you yesterday. I was having problems with my computer but they have been remedied. Thank you Jesus!

When we lived in Montana we were less than a thirty-minute drive from Bannock, an historic mining town. We enjoyed visiting there especially when we had family and friends visiting.

The original old buildings, the cemetery, the creek that had been filled with gold and rubies were all intriguing. Our grandchildren, in particular, had fun panning for gold. They actually found some small flakes. The joy was in the prospecting!

Strange how reading Scripture can trigger memories of life experiences.

“ My son, don’t forget my teaching. Remember what I tell you to do. 2 What I teach will give you a good, long life, and all will go well for you. 3 Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4 Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else. 5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body…13 Those who find wisdom are fortunate; they will be blessed when they gain understanding. 14 Profit that comes from wisdom is better than silver and even the finest gold. 15 Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels. Nothing you desire has more value.

16 With her right hand, Wisdom offers long life—with the other hand, riches and honor. 17 Wisdom will lead you to a life of joy and peace. 18 Wisdom is like a life-giving tree to those who hold on to her; she is a blessing to those who keep her close.” Proverbs 3:1-18 ERV

Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels, better than silver and the finest gold! Wisdom comes from the Lord.

“Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind…17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:5, 6, 17 ERV

The wisdom we gain from God’s word is priceless. The Father is generous and enjoys giving it to all who ask. Reading God’s word is like prospecting in a stream where you can see the golden nuggets from the surface. We just need to reach down and pluck them out.

“His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:10 ERV

What do you plan to do today? May I suggest you go prospecting – God is always looking for prospectors. He desires to show you the riches of His good pleasure.

Prospectors are always Wanted!

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Every Day Promises

Knowing that God is in control and that He is working things out even/especially when you can’t see what’s going on is a great place of peace and comfort.

I’ve been asked why I post this blog every day. My answer is simple; God is an everyday God and His promises are for each day. The people He used in the Bible were everyday people, with ordinary occupations and real-life problems. They had discouragement, disasters, and disappointments.

“Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the God of my life…11 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, Lord! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42:9-11 CEV

Even in the most discouraging times, they trusted God and they rejoiced in God when they saw the victory. It was an everyday walk.

I want you to know there isn’t a day or even a moment when the Almighty God isn’t with you and He wants you aware of His presence and His power. He’s your Father and He loves you unconditionally.

He delivered Noah in the flood, David from Goliath, Daniel from the lions, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in prison, the thief on the cross and He won’t quit with you!

“12 Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. 13 Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. 14 You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. 15 Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.

16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:12-18 ERV

Sometimes we get things backwards. Sometimes we say God is testing me or putting me through this trial to see what I’m made of. God doesn’t do that. When the trials, tests and temptations come, they come from our own making or the influence of Satan in the world. God steps in to give us the strength to win the battle.

Let God lead you into victory today and thank Him for all the good and perfect gifts that He has provided.

“The Lord is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me.” Psalm 118:6 CEV

I’m still camped out in Psalm 23. I’m learning to sit at the table the Lord has prepared for me, even in the presence of my enemies. The key to peace is keeping focused on Him.

He promises me and you, that He will never leave or abandon us!

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Quiet Streams

I’m still camping spiritually this morning. Yesterday, I showed you the tent that I call home while on this earth. And this morning I want you to see the camp site.

It’s beautiful. Lush green pastures beside a quiet stream.

I can lay down in the lush green meadow grass after I’ve eaten my fill and rest. Then I can rise and walk to the edge of the stream to drink from the cool, refreshing water. Oh yes, it’s a beautiful site.

A place where all worries and fears can be handled by the Shepherd.

“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.” Psalm 23:1-2 AMPC

What is it I came here wanting, needing? Peace, hope, rest for my weariness, confidence, security, help, wisdom…

“ And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 AMPC

“If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 AMPC

“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” Hebrews 4:16 AMPC

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” Proverbs 16:9 AMPC

Today, September 11th, is a hard day for many of us. A day of remembrance, a day we will never forget. Or maybe today is just another day, like so many recently, that is filled with moments over an unknown future.

“ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

He is worthy of all our praise because He has done and is doing great and mighty things on our behalf.

Join me at the campsite the Lord has led me too. Join me in green pastures, beside still waters and find rest for your soul.

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How to Continue when Hope Seems Gone

I’m reading through the book of Romans, again, probably for the 30th or 40th time. It becomes fresh in my heart each time I read it.

This morning I was reading about Abraham’s faith in the promises of God. Abraham wasn’t serving God because of rules and regulations. He was faithful to God because of their relationship. Abraham was called the friend of God.

“So you see that Abraham’s faith and what he did worked together. His faith was made perfect by what he did. 23 This shows the full meaning of the Scriptures that say, ‘Abraham believed God, and because of this faith he was accepted as one who is right with God.’ Abraham was called ‘God’s friend.’ ” James 2:22-23 ERV

Abraham’s relationship with the Lord was one that transversed the decades.

“Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ 6 And he (Abram) believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:5-6 NKJV

Abram went year after year without an heir. Sarah never became pregnant. But Abram held on to God’s promise. That’s what Paul is telling the Christians in his letter to the Romans.

“There was no hope that Abraham would have children, but Abraham believed God and continued to hope. And that is why he became the father of many nations. As God told him, ‘You will have many descendants.’ 19 Abraham was almost a hundred years old, so he was past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham was well aware of this, but his faith in God never became weak. 20 He never doubted that God would do what he promised. He never stopped believing. In fact, he grew stronger in his faith and just praised God. 21 Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he promised. 22 So that’s why ‘he was accepted as one who is right with God.’ 23 These words (“he was accepted”) were written not only for Abraham. 24 They were also written for us. God will also accept us because we believe. We believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from death. 25 Jesus was handed over to die for our sins, and he was raised from death to make us right with God.” Romans 4:18-25 ERV

Abraham waited almost 25 years to see the promise of an heir. But that didn’t weaken his faith, it strengthened it. Abraham trusted God, regardless of the circumstances. He knew that God was not a liar; He kept His word.

“Be careful. Hold firmly to your faith. Have courage and be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13 ERV

How long is too long when we are waiting to see God’s promises come to pass in our lives? Let Abraham be our example – never stop believing but grow stronger in faith!

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A Real Frog Strangler

Last night was one for the record books – it was a real frog strangler!

Not sure you are familiar with this expression, but it means a heavy, sudden rain. And that it was.

About 10:30, we had already gone to bed; we saw the lightning flashes, heard the thunder and then the deluge of rain. Oh my! We live on a wash and within 20 minutes it was running two-thirds full and sounded like a rushing river. By 11:15, the water had started to recede. Praise God! and the rain was almost over.

With all the rain we’ve had lately the weeds are going crazy. Dave is out there spraying all the time. They grow so quickly in the desert.

Life can be like that too. Weeds seem to grow faster than the good seeds we plant. The rain helps them both.

The desert is so green.

We had neighbors who recently came down from the Dakotas and they traveled through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. They said everywhere was brown from lack of rain until they came across the Arizona border where the landscape was green and lush.

I want my life to grow good things; kindness, joy, peace, love, understanding and forgiveness. The weeds of selfishness, greed, bitterness and discontentment need to be rooted out.

Lord, remind me to only sow good seeds in the soil of my heart. Your word is the good seed and it will make me healthy and victorious because Your word is health unto all my flesh and life unto all who find it. Thank you for the word.

“And what about the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That is like the people who hear the teaching but let worries about this life and love for money stop it from growing. So it does not produce a crop in their lives.

23 “But what about the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people who hear the teaching and understand it. They grow and produce a good crop, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.” Matthew 13:22-24 ERV

Weeds will strangle the seed. But, after a rain like we had last night more seeds will sprout, grasses with grow and provide food for the wildlife. Flowers will come and the earth will be refreshed.

“ But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. 18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.” James 3:17-18 CEV

Oh yes, a harvest of peace! Isn’t that what we all want to grow in our lives and our families?

As for the frogs, they weren’t strangled at all. When I went out to check the level of the water in the wash, I saw that it had almost completely receded and throughout the neighborhood I heard the sound of croaking frogs everywhere. They were enjoying the refreshing of last night’s rain.

May we enjoy the rains of refreshing. May it bring a harvest of peace!

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Small Miracles

Friday at noon Dave and I left Queen Valley to start on our 10 day camping trip.

It was only about an hour later when we experienced our first small miracle. As we were driving from the valley to Payson, our radiator temperature light came on. Just ahead was an exit from the interstate and we were able to pull off and pull into a bar/convenience market. (Small miracle #1)

I went in to buy a gallon of water and Dave raised the hood. When I came back out he was with a gal who had come over to see what the problem was.

She told Dave “I’m a MOPAR certified technician. (Small miracle #2) She assessed the situation and ruled out several big problems and said it was just a cracked radiator. She could take Dave to Payson to get one and come back and put it in. (Small miracle #3) O’Reilly’s had one.

In a little over 3 hours we were on the road again. Hot and sweaty, we decided to get a hotel so we could shower and get a good night’s sleep before going on to the campground. (small miracle #5). Got the room, a very nice room, for under $100 and then found out today our credit card gave us a travel credit of $100. (Small miracle #6)

Now for the past 2 days we have been sitting under the pines and enjoying God’s grandeur!

Deuteronomy 28: 1-6 NIV. “

you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country…6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”

We definitely felt blessed and protected. Our MOPAR guardian angel definitely had some flowery speech but all the same she was truly sent by our loving Heavenly Father.

I asked her if anyone had ever told her she was a blessing and with a smirk she said nope. Well you are I said and she laughed.

So let me leave you with the verse the Lord impressed on me last Friday.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Our Father has designed more blessings than we can conceive and some of them can be found in our biggest trials.

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Wisdom Speaks

I have a question for you. How many times in the last week have you found yourself saying, “I just don’t know what I should do – or what choice I need to make – or what path I should follow”?

Yes, I’ve been there and done that more times than I would care to admit. So, you can imagine how excited I was this morning when I opened my Bible to Proverbs 8 and there was the header at the top of the page which said, “Wisdom Speaks”.

“I am Wisdom—Common Sense is my closest friend; I possess knowledge and sound judgment. 13 If you respect the Lord, you will hate evil. I hate pride and conceit and deceitful lies. 14 I am strong, and I offer sensible advice and sound judgment. 15 By my power kings govern, and rulers make laws that are fair. 16 Every honest leader rules with help from me.

17 I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search. 18 I can make you rich and famous, important and successful. 19 What you receive from me is more valuable than even the finest gold or the purest silver. 20 I always do what is right, 21 and I give great riches to everyone who loves me.” Proverbs 8:12-22 CEV

Wisdom and common sense, sensible advice and sound judgement, more valuable than silver or gold. These are the gifts of wisdom. When I read verse 17, it immediately triggered what James, the Apostle, said when he wrote his letter on godly living:

“ Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind.” James 1:5-6 ERV

God the Father, who is the giver of wisdom, enjoys giving to everyone who asks. The key in that is not doubting the wisdom God provides.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

When we take our prayers to the Lord, He doesn’t want us to worry about anything – ANYTHING. We ask for everything we need – WISDOM. God’s peace will direct our decisions and guard our hearts. This is practical wisdom.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground.
Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do. 12 “So you will go out from there with joy.
 You will be led out in peace…” Isaiah 55:10-12 ERV

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 ERV

I have long lived with trusting the peace of God. I’ve learned that if I’m not at peace about something, I shouldn’t proceed. God has been faithful to lead me by His peace.

Let’s close this with Wisdom’s words at the end of Proverbs 8.

“By finding me, you find life, and the Lord will be pleased with you.” Proverbs 8:35 CEV

Wisdom Speaks life into our situations!

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Sin is Sin

Doesn’t that sound profound? Of course it is, what God has shown me in my many years is that He doesn’t classify sin. It’s not a white lie or a major sin like murder; sin is sin.

Let’s look at the story of the prodigal son and his brother.

Sin is sin! The younger son in the story was guilty of some pretty “big” things while the older son looked respectable, he was obviously holding bitterness in his heart toward his younger brother. So, which was worse?

Neither! Sin is sin.

Kind of like a broken window; you can throw a rock through it and it shatters, or shoot it with a bb and leave a little hole, it’s still broken.

“One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ If you obey this law, you are doing right. 9 But if you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God’s law. 10 You might follow all of God’s law. But if you fail to obey only one command, you are guilty of breaking all the commands in that law.” James 2:8-10 ERV

The Old Testament teaches us that gossip and murder are both hated by God yet we find one is more socially acceptable than the other.

Sin is sin and we are all guilty. The penalty for sin is not on a sliding scale.

“ All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. 24 But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.” Romans 3:23-24 CEV

Jesus words were so powerful when he spoke to the Pharisees about the adulterous woman that they wanted him to stone.

“They were saying this to trick Jesus. They wanted to catch him saying something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. But Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, ‘Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.‘ 8 Then Jesus stooped down again and wrote on the ground.” John 8:6-8 ERV

The wonderful news is since God sees all sin the same, it makes the payment for that sin the same as well.

“So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life.” Romans 5:18 ERV

We have forgiveness, payment for our sin, with the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That sacrifice is available to all – we simply need to receive it!

“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 KJV

I’m so glad that God doesn’t grade on a curve, but He accepts us all based not on what we’ve done but on what Jesus did!

Yes, sin is sin but God’s grace is greater!!!

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Foundation of Wisdom

I thank the Lord for my dad. He was a wise man, and I learned many valuable life lessons from him. He left school when he was in the 7th grade to help provide for his family, so his wisdom didn’t come from his education; it came from his experiences and his love of God’s word.

King Solomon, the world’s wisest man, wrote an entire book on wisdom, the book of Proverbs. And he set the premise in the very first chapter.

“These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. 2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young...7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:1-7 NLT

The word “fear” in verse 7 can also be translated as reverent worship, awe of greatness, and respect. Our foundation for wisdom comes when we reverence and respect God’s word.

I read a quote that went something like this, the foundation of wisdom is knowing how to tell that you are totally clueless, lost and in need of assistance. That pretty much sums up our need for God and His direction.

This teaching on wisdom came as I meditated on Psalm 111 this morning all the while making a correlation with yesterday’s words from Paul, telling us that we are God’s inheritance and that Christ fills those of us who trust in Him.

If we truly believe that we are wise.

“Praise the Lord!
I thank the Lord with all my heart
    in the assembly of his good people.
2 The Lord does wonderful things,
    more than anyone could ask for.
3 The things he does are great and glorious!
    There is no end to his goodness.
4 He does amazing things so that we will remember
    that the Lord is kind and merciful.
5 He gives food to his followers.
    He remembers his agreement forever.
6 He has shown his people how powerful he is
    by giving them the land of other nations.
7 Everything he does is good and fair.
    All his commands can be trusted.
8 His commands will continue forever.
    They must be done with truth and honesty.
9 He rescued his people and made his agreement with them forever.
    His name is awesome and holy.
10 Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the Lord.
    Those who obey him are very wise.
    Praises will be sung to him forever.” Psalm 111 ERV

The book of James says: “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” James 1:5 CEV

As parents and grandparents, we are not limited by our education or lack thereof. We can receive wisdom and share it with those we love by teaching them a love for God’s word and a respect for the Lord.

That is the foundation of wisdom.

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No Brag – Just Fact

I am reading in Ephesians again. I find myself there quite frequently.

The letters that Paul wrote to the different Christian churches were for their instruction and correction. I find those letters do the same in my life. While I was reading this morning a phrase jumped out at me, “there is nothing you can brag about”.

Last weekend while we were in Williams there was a whole lot of bragging going on. We didn’t know it when we booked our trip, but the annual car show was also last weekend. We went into town on Thursday evening for dinner and had a hard time finding a place to park.

We quickly learned that 600 cars were entered and many others were on a waiting list. Oh my, there were some real beauties! Top quality paint jobs, gleaming wheels, tuck-n-roll upholstery and a few rust buckets. Each and every one was hoping to be named “the best”.

No brag, just fact.

People are a lot like that too. Wanting to be judged by their accomplishments, education, size of their home, the car they drive, the accolades they have received, their good looks and great personalities. They want to lay claim to their bragging rights.

I think the Apostle Paul might have been dealing with this very situation.

“In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. 2 You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. 3 Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God’s gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. 7 God did this so in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. 8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.” Ephesians 2:1-9 CEV

We run into trouble when we begin to compare ourselves to others and brag on our “goodness”. Everything we have in this life that is good has been given to us by God.

“Don’t be fooled, my dear friends. 17 Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. 18 He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.” James 1:16-18 CEV

“But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ” Philippians 3:7-8 CEV

Paul had been in the inner circle of Jewish society but as he wrote Ephesians and Philippians he was in prison. He knew what was truly important – knowing Christ as Savior.

A lesson for all of us – No brag, just fact!

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