March 20, 2014 – James 1 – Consider it Joy

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

I want to thank you for returning to the blog. Doing a daily blog is a challenge and sometimes it feels like a chore. Sometimes I struggle to bring fresh content. I get into a rhythm of receptiveness that is often hard to break. I have found the best way to do so is to suspend the blog for a while and then return. With our reading through Acts it was hard to break back in in the middle of the book. Please forgive me for my absence.

What Does this Passage Say?

• The book of James was written to Christians who had a Jewish heritage living throughout the Roman Empire. The book is often sited as a perfect road map for new Christians helping them understand a little about what following God looks like.

• James begins his writing reminding the Christian that trials, temptations, maybe even persecutions are going to come their way. It is how we respond that determines whether these are helpful or hurtful. James challenges us to consider it joy when we face trials. This is a strange concept. But if we learn to consider it joy we will be quicker to see God at work. Trials make us stronger, and they lead us to victory in God.

• He also reminds us that it is not God that tempts us, but Satan. We are tempted when we let our evil desire overcome us. This choice on our part begins a downward spiral that if not overcome can lead to death; separation from God.

• James then goes on to encourage people to check their lives. If we want to overcome temptation and champion over the trials, then we must examine our heart and mind. James uses an analogy of looking in the mirror and forgetting what you look like as foolishness. As people living today we have the word of God. In His word is instruction on how to live a life that honors the grace and salvation He is given us. Reading the word and failing to live it out is foolishness. If we want to overcome the trials, temptations, and event the persecutions then we must put into practice what God’s word teaches.

What is this passage teaching?

• This passage reminds us that life, even as a Christian, is not always going to be easy. Temptation will always be present and something we must keep our eyes open to. Trails will present themselves from time to time. How we handle that determines how our faith blossoms and matures. God allows us to experience trials and temptations to mold, shape, and chisel us into the beautiful creation He has in mind.

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Take to heart James first challenge … “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Look for the ways that God might be using this to develop you into the person He is creating you to be. 

November 25 – Galatians 4-6

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Galatians 4-6. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

In our reading plan we have come to the book of Galatians. This is the first book we see written by the Apostle Paul. This however was not originally a book but a letter. Paul was the first to carry the Gospel to the churches of Galatia … Galatia was a region not a city. Now the church is facing some difficult times … many theological. People have come in preaching and teaching a false doctrine of following Jesus. Not only that, but they are still bombarded by Jews who are trying to destroy the church. In the midst of these false teachings, they also have the Gentile worship of their land to fight off and turn away from. There is definitely confusion taking place.

Paul is writing to them to encourage them and to teach them. In chapter four Paul solicits an emotion and memory that he holds dear … “Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then?” (Galatians 4:15 NLT) Paul reminds them of the joy and spirit they had when he first came and preached the message of Jesus and they accepted. Somehow in someway they have let that slip away.

As I look at the church too often I feel the same thing has happened to many Christians. They initially found joy in Christ and the new relationship that they begun with Him. They felt relief from the burdens they carried around. They felt a new lease on life. They were on fire. The spirit of God was overwhelming them in a really amazing way. But somewhere along the way that joy evaporated.

As followers of Christ we have the greatest reason to find joy. We have been saved through the blood of Jesus! We have reason to be joyful to know that this world is not our home. Sure there will be moments of frustration, worry, doubt, and struggle. But those emotions should not dominate our lives. Our lives should be filled with joy and that joy should radiate for all to see!

Let me ask you, be honest with yourself, would people see joy in your heart and life through a simple encounter with you?

August 16 - Jeremiah 32-34

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah 32-34. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan. 

How do you feel when you are able to do something nice for someone else? I would imagine, unless you have ice in your veins, that you feel pretty good. Maybe that good feeling comes after cleaning the leaves for an elderly neighbor in the fall. Maybe that good feeling comes when volunteering at the food pantry in your community. Maybe that good feeling comes when you serve with others at a place like Matthew 25 Ministries in Cincinnati. Maybe that good feeling comes when you get your loved ones that specific gift they have desired. It thrilled me last Christmas to watch Crystal open her Kitchen Aid mixer when she thought it was completely out of the budget! Doing good, making someone’s day, often leaves us with a happy feeling.

This is because we have been created in the image of God. What makes us happy is what makes Him happy. God reminded us today in our reading blessing us makes Him happy. God says … “I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.” (Jeremiah 32:40-41 NLT) God wanted to do good for Israel. In doing good He confessed it would bring them joy.

However, His blessings were based on a covenant that God created with them. It is important to not that a covenant is not a contract. A covenant is much more than a contract. A contract says if one of the parties does not keep up their end of the deal then both can easily walk away. But a covenant while creating an agreement is much more binding. A covenant does not look out for your own interest, but for others. A covenant requires unconditional promises to be made. A covenant relationship is based on steadfast love. A covenant views the commitment as permanent. A covenant requires confrontation and forgiveness when wrongs are committed. A covenant requires the exact opposite commitment of a contract.

I am thankful for God’s covenant with us. I am thankful, that if I keep my end of the covenant, I do not have to suffer the confrontation that is necessary. I am thankful that blessing me in whatever God chooses is what makes Him happy. 

March 17 – Deuteronomy 17-20

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Deuteronomy 17-20. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

The fourth chapter in our reading today talks to us about God going before the Israelites into their battles. It also gives reasons why men could turn around and go home … their new homes have not been blessed, they have not been able to consume of their new vineyard, they had not yet married the girl they were engaged to. I think it is cool to see God respecting the joys of life. Do you have joys in your life? If not, why not. God gave us life to enjoy … find joy!

What I also find great is that God wants to be the center of everything. When they would go off into battle a priest would come and remind them that God was going to lead them. He was going to deliver their enemies. God wanted to be a part of everything … from their joys to their battles in life. Have you compartmentalized your life? Do you bring God into everything you do? I hope so, because that’s who God is and wants to be in your life.

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