<--back to Proverbs of the New Testament Main James 4:2b-3 ...You do not have, because you do not ask.Or you do ask and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is to spend it in sensual pleasures.God is all about the heart. He could care less how many nice faces we put on, church services we attend, and how much money we give away. He looks at the "why" not the "do." He looks deep in our hearts to find our hidden agendas and motives that we even hide from ourselves.You have not because you ask not.This tells me if I ask, I can receive.The next verse is the deal breaker though. When we ask with the wrong motives. When we ask for selfish reasons. When we ask out of discontentment. When we ask for things that have not good purpose for our lives. I think that God is like any parent. He would love to give us His wealth...if and when we can handle it.We may want something, … [Read more...]
TweetProverbs of the New Testament – We Serve a Jealous God
<--back to Proverbs of the New Testament Main James 4:5 Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit to be welcome with a jealous love?The original Greek word and meaning for yearns is, epipotheo (ep-ee-poth-eh'-o): intensely crave possession, earnestly desire.We can be certain that we serve a jealous God. He tells us Himself in Exodus 34:14 - For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, Whose Name is Jealous, is a jealous impassioned God.He longs for us to put Him first. His greatest desire is for us to love Him and pursue a friendship with Him. He wants to be our delight. When we put people, hobbies, entertainment, or anything before Him in our lives we are creating idols. Idols are not just golden statues. They can be anything and anyone.Instead of writing a passionate speech on putting God first, I … [Read more...]
TweetProverbs of the New Testament – True and Pure Worship
<--back to Proverbs of the New Testament Main James 1:27 External religious worship, religion that is expressed in outward acts that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.The first part of this verse clearly explains that worship that is pure and pleasing to God is unselfish. It is when we care for those in need with our wallets, time, and actions that we are truly worshiping God.The second part of this verse is very interesting to me. James just told us that we must take care of those in need in order to really be expressing true worship. However, there is a very important word after that, "and."And to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.Those of you who are faithful readers have heard me say that the Church as a whole is like a carbon … [Read more...]
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