Reading Be Mature by Wiersbe he shows how James was influenced by Jesus, Sermon on the Mount. Having read through this makes me clear on what life leads us to.
AIM: learn about blessing in opportunity, growth, simple relationship with God, listen then do, a mirror of your soul is desire, bonus: we can impact our own desires.
- Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
Blessing in Trials, as an opportunity for righteousness James 1:2—Matthew 5:10–12
Trials coming from outside are a joy, we are blessed by God when persecuted for righteousness in Jesus' Name.
Grow up, live your identity in Christ - BE PERFECT James 1:4—Matthew 5:48
"Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." MSG
- perfect as your father in heaven is perfect, lacking nothing
Simply ask God for wisdom, help James 1:5—Matthew 7:7–12
Don't know what to do? Ask God who gives generous wisdom when we ask. “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need...Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get."
Listen to God's word and do what is says James 1:22—Matthew 7:21–27
24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
See yourself in truthfully, live rightly and faithfully - not against others James 4:11–12—Matthew 7:1–5
Don’t speak evil against each other...your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy.
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
What you put your life into, is where your desire is James 5:1–3—Matthew 6:19–21
...greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you’ve piled up is judgment.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
AIM: learn about blessing in opportunity, growth, simple relationship with God, listen then do, a mirror of your soul is desire, bonus: we can impact our own desires.
- Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
Blessing in Trials, as an opportunity for righteousness James 1:2—Matthew 5:10–12
Trials coming from outside are a joy, we are blessed by God when persecuted for righteousness in Jesus' Name.
Grow up, live your identity in Christ - BE PERFECT James 1:4—Matthew 5:48
"Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." MSG
- perfect as your father in heaven is perfect, lacking nothing
Simply ask God for wisdom, help James 1:5—Matthew 7:7–12
Don't know what to do? Ask God who gives generous wisdom when we ask. “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need...Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get."
Listen to God's word and do what is says James 1:22—Matthew 7:21–27
24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
See yourself in truthfully, live rightly and faithfully - not against others James 4:11–12—Matthew 7:1–5
Don’t speak evil against each other...your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy.
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
What you put your life into, is where your desire is James 5:1–3—Matthew 6:19–21
...greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you’ve piled up is judgment.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
No comments:
Post a Comment