Tag Archives: James

Before your head hits the pillow

The First Sin

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

The First Sin

Today’s world doesn’t really like to talk about sin. And unfortunately some churches and Christians don’t like to talk about sin either. Some people believe that because we have been redeemed that a discussion about sin is too negative. I believe that unless we discuss sin in a real way and understand that even if we are Christians we must fight against sin, we make it too easy to fall into sin.

So what about that first sin? For years, I believed that the first sin happened at the moment that Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree forbidden by God. But the more I think about this, the more I think that was not the first sin. The first sin didn’t happen when Adam and Eve at of that fruit, or even when they picked it off the tree. The first sin happened in the MIND of Adam and Eve when they chose to deny the truth that God had given them forbidding them to eat of the fruit.

Sin begins in our minds. Sins are not typically impulsive. When a child decides to pick up a candy bar and steal it in the checkout counter, they first thought about how good that candy bar would taste. They thought and then they acted.

When someone becomes involved in pornography it doesn’t just happen. The person begins to think lustfully FIRST and then starts looking at things they shouldn’t be seeing. When a husband or wife gets involved in an adulterous relationship, they first begin to think about what it would be like to be with this other person.

Mark 7:21-22 says, “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.” All of these sins start in the thoughts of men, women, and even children.

James 1:14-15 tells us, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.”

And James 4:1, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”

So, sin begins in our minds and in our desires. This is the reason that it is so important to guard what we see, to guard what we hear, to be careful with whom we associate, and to steer clear of those things that could bring our thoughts to a place that breed evil desires, and where evil desires breed evil deeds.

David Peach in 5 Ways to Avoid Sinful Habits and Thoughts (whatchiristianswanttoknow.com) gives us these ideas about guarding our thoughts:

First, fill your mind with God’s Word. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Reading the Bible will fill our lives with these virtuous things!

Second, keep your mind clean. Psalm 101:3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”

Third, establish accountability with someone. Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Fourth, view others with godly eyes. I Timothy 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” We must think of others as brothers and sisters. If we do this our minds won’t stray to gossip and slander.

And fifth, avoid temptation. Romans 13:14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Sin does begin in our minds, but we can resist sin. We have to believe in the assurance of I John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Oh how I love the promises of God!!

Before your head hits the pillow

In His Image

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

In His Image

During the course of our married life, our family has had three special dogs. Muffy was a Lhasa Apso. She was sweet and gentle but not that terribly smart. Then we had Phoebe who was happy and spirited. She was a smart dog who quickly sensed our moods and loved to take walks. Now we have Molly, who we believe is the smartest dog that ever lived. She seems to understand what we say and even what we are thinking. She loves to go fishing and although she delights at the thought of taking a walk, she would never sacrifice fishing to do so. She understands what it means when the bobber goes under and jumps with anticipation at the potential of reeling in a fish.

We also have seven grandchildren. Our youngest two are three years old. We can tell either of them to go get us their pajamas and they know what do to. If we were to ask them to go get the drum from the toy room, they would proudly walk downstairs and deliver the drum. They REALLY understand words. They did not have to be conditioned to do so, they just learned and understood what the words meant.

Although you can train a dog to fetch your slippers or do a trick, you can never tell them to go get something they had never before seen. If our granddaughters had a drum at home, they would be able to discern what a drum is at our house. So what is the difference between those special pets and our granddaughters?

Our granddaughters were created in the image of God. When God created man He created them differently than plant life, than the birds of the air or the fish of the sea. He created them differently than the mammals of the earth. He created them in His very own image. God created man from the dust of the earth and He Himself breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. –Genesis 2:7.

God created you and He created me to bear His own image. We are not exact replicas but we do resemble Him in certain ways. He created us to feel, to think, to speak, and to understand. He gave us creativity. He created man with the ability to make things, to paint paintings, to compose music, and to invent things. God was creative and so is man. God created man as a social being. We were created to have fellowship with others and with God.

When God created man, Adam and Eve were morally perfect. He created man holy and without sin. But when Adam and Eve sinned that image of God within us was distorted. It was no longer perfect as God had created it. Man became jealous and envious, as happened with Cain and Abel. Man became arrogant as we saw during the building of the tower of Babel. Man became angry and hostile.

But thank God, that is not where this story ends. When we accept Christ as our Savior Paul says in Colossians 3:10 that in the place of our wickedness “…you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.” And Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:24, “You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous, holy, and true.”

So why is this so important? We have so many Christians who struggle with their own self-worth. They delve into self-help books and some even listen to Dr. Phil or Oprah to find their worth. We must understand that our worth is innate. That means our worth inborn, it is natural. We are worthy because we are created in the image of the creator of the universe.

If you are struggling to find your self-worth, look no further than to God Himself. He created you in His image. He loves you. He cares about you. He hears your cries and wishes to speak with you about your troubles. And after you come to know Christ as your Savior, that image of God begins its renewal. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden and their daily walks with God ceased. They no longer had unfettered access to their heavenly Father.

But when Jesus died on the cross He bridged that gap and we can now again enter directly into the presence of God. We can sit and talk to Him. We can listen to Him and He will respond. Our relationship with God gets stronger and stronger the closer we walk with Him. The more time we spend in His Word, the more time we spend talking and listening to Him, and the more time we spend learning about His desire for our life the more we become like Him. We are being restored, we are being sanctified.

So if you are doubting your worth, look no further than God. God sees your worth and so should you! God created you and He has specific plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” These are God’s promises. You are a redeemed child of the King. People may hurt you and things may be tough, but this can never be taken away. YOU are HIS and HE is YOURS! In this you can find your value and your worth! And one day, in the not too distant future, you will wear a crown.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12. What a day that will be!!!

Before your head hits the pillow

I’m just a trucker.

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

I’m just a trucker.

Have you ever been asked to do something either in church or in the community that you thought was just too much for you? You may have said, “I’m just a trucker, just a housewife, just a mechanic, just a carpenter, or just a daycare worker!” You could decide to make an excuse and tell them that you are just too busy or that you don’t believe you are up for the task.

Some 2000 years ago there was a guy who was just a fisherman. His name was Peter. Jesus asked him and his brother to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. Peter could have made excuses. He could have said that he was not equipped. He could have said, “I am just a fisherman!” But that is not what Peter did. Peter quickly decided to follow Jesus. And Peter followed with reckless abandonment! I guess we could say that Peter was ALL IN for Jesus!

In Matthew 14, we read that it was Peter who trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat and walk on water. Now that faith was limited and He soon began to sink, but Jesus was right there to pick Him up.

It was Peter who on the Mountain of Transfiguration when Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus suggested that he could build three shelters. One for Jesus, one for Elijah, and one for Moses. Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured. They saw His face shine and His garments become dazzling white. Then out of nowhere appeared Elijah and Moses. The disciples were treated to seeing men from the past alive. This was a testimony to the fact of the afterlife. Jesus didn’t even respond to Peter’s zeal, his desire to build lasting shelters. I think He might have thought, “Oh Peter!”

It was Peter in Matthew 16:15 stated of Christ, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And it was to Peter that Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, by my Father who is in heaven.”

It was Peter who lopped off the ear of the guard who was involved in arresting Jesus and it was Jesus who rebuked him and touched the man’s ear and healed him.

And it was Peter who three times denied knowing Jesus as Jesus was on trial for His very life. I can only imagine what Peter must have felt after that third denial when his eyes and they eyes of Jesus met. Luke 22: 61 says, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”

Peter was impulsive and at times reckless but He was chosen and He was loved. Peter was not anymore physically equipped to serve Jesus than you or I. He was chosen to serve Jesus and Jesus equipped him for that service.

Peter, even after seeing the many miracles of Christ and professing that he would never deny Christ, did so three times. Peter was far from perfect, but he was chosen to serve. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water. He faltered, just as we might, but Jesus was there to rescue him, just as He is there to provide and care for us.

So when we are called to take part in the kingdom of God will we be like Peter, who in all his imperfections, readily said yes? Or will we make excuses? Will we have enough faith to walk on water, to do those things that seem humanly impossible, knowing that Jesus will be there to help us, or will we just stay in the boat?

Jesus knows that we are imperfect. He knows that we will fall, even as He knew that Peter would deny Him. But Jesus still chose him. Jesus still wanted Peter as one of His disciples and He still wants us as one of His followers. So the next time you are called to serve, say yes. The next time you are asked to lead, don’t think of your weakness, think of God’s strength. You are NOT just a trucker…You are a child of the KING!

Before your head hits the pillow

Why is it important that God is unchangeable?

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Why is it important that God is unchangeable?

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Numbers 23:19 – God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?

James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Yes, our God never changes. This is one of His attributes. He is immutable, that means He never changes. He is not better at one time and worse at another. But for us, as people of God, why should this matter?

The fact that God does not change is central to every other attribute we know of God. God is all knowing. He never knew less than He does today and He never knew more. His knowledge has ALWAYS been the same. God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” God didn’t only know Jeremiah before he was in the womb, He knew each of us. God’s knowledge of us and His plan for us has NEVER changed.

God is merciful and just. God’s mercy is the same today as it was thousands of years ago and His judgment is the same. As I read through the books of Chronicles and Kings I became amazed at the Kings who were evil. Each one of them must have seen God’s judgment on previous evil Kings but they still did evil. God’s justice is supreme justice. God will always deal with evil in His perfect unchanging way. Many of the kings of the Old Testament failed to learn about God’s unchanging justice but we have the Bible to read. We see what turmoil can befall us if we choose to turn our backs on a perfectly just God. But we can also see God’s mercy, His perfect and never changing mercy, on those who fall on their face, profess their sins, and work to fulfill God’s plan in our lives.

God is unchangeably holy. Nothing we can do can make him more or less holy. He is unchangeably righteous and unchangeably faithful.

God has promised His blessings and his faithfulness to those who follow Him. That doesn’t mean that our lives will always be easy, but they will always be blessed because that is God’s promise. His vows, promises and commitments will NEVER change.

The fact that God is unchangeable gives us the great assurance of our salvation. God tells us in Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

The fact that God does not change gives us the assurance that once we have truly accepted Jesus as our Savior nothing can undo the grace and mercy that God has given. This promise, this mercy, this grace is unchangeable. God’s commitment to you as one of His children is an eternal commitment. Because God is unchangeable, this CANNOT change!

Things in your life may change. You may go through struggles and trials. You may be tossed about by the waves of this world, but God’s love for you, His promise of your salvation, will NEVER change. That is why is why it is so important that we understand that God cannot change. God is our anchor in the wind tossed seas of our life. He will hold us fast. He will tether Himself to us. He will NEVER leave! Praise God! Praise Him for His unchanging love, His unchanging mercy, and yes, even His unchanging justice!

Before your head hits the pillow

Are You Heaven Bound?

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Early this morning I posted a meme that made comments about what would NOT get you into heaven and what WOULD get you into heaven.  The comments that ensued were interesting.  Very rarely have I posted anything that caused this much conversation.

First let me say that no meme or no single post that I place on this page will contain in it all of Biblical doctrine.  I post memes and writings that I hope will challenge you, encourage you, teach you, bring your joy, or make you think.  This one certainly did many of those things.

But since this little meme caused such a stir, I thought that I should write about this topic tonight.  So here goes.

Good works will NOT get you into heaven.  You can be the best philanthropist who ever lived and it will not help you walk through the gates of heaven.  Only trust in Jesus as your Savior will do that.  But we must know that good works are a requirement in the life of a Christian. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” And James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Faith and trust in Jesus DEMANDS good works, for to this we were created.

Merely being baptized will not get you into heaven.  Many are baptized as children.  Just because your parents baptized you does not mean you gain automatic entrance into heaven.  Others were baptized as adults and I would say it is fair to assume that even some who are baptized as adults do not really know Jesus as their Savior.  So baptism in and of itself will NOT get you into heaven.  But that does not mean that baptism is unimportant. Mark 16:16 says,”Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”  Baptism or profession of one’s faith is an outward expression of an inward commitment to the Lord.  This passage however, should not be construed to say that if a person is not physically baptized that they cannot be saved.  The second part of Mark 16:16 says that whoever does not BELIEVE will be condemned.  If you are a true believe then you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and it is this baptism that is necessary for salvation.  No one can believe without the Holy Spirit working in their lives.

Attending church, mass, or Sunday school will not get us into heaven.  For many people sit in church pews or at mass every week who have not met and believed in their hearts in the risen Savior.  But does that mean that worshiping together is not important?  Quite the contrary.  Hebrew 10:24-25 speaks of this when it tells us this, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  So, although going to church will not save us, we are instructed to assemble together to stimulate one another to love each other and to reach out to those in need.

Giving money and doing charity work will not get us into heaven.  No matter how much you do or how much you give you will never be able to give enough to gain entrance into heaven.   Only trust in Jesus as your Savior will do that.  But does that mean tithing and charity work are unimportant.  No, not at all!  2 Corinthians 9:7 instructs us, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” That is giving of our time, our treasure, and our talents.

Will taking communion get you to heaven? NO!  Only believing in Jesus as your Savior can do that!  But I Corinthians 11:26 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” So although taking communion will not save us it does play a vital part in reminding us of the immense sacrifice that was given to pay the debt for our sins.

Will belonging to a particular denomination or political party get you into heaven?  Absolutely NOT!!  No denomination, political party, or friendship is without stain, without sin.  Each party has its flaws and each denomination has its flaws.  Let’s not get so high and mighty about our affiliations that we start feeling better of ourselves just because of who we associate with.  Only faith and trust in Jesus Christ can bring about salvation which gives us the reward of eternity in heaven.

And positive thinking will not get us into heaven.  Many of today’s modern churches will teach and preach the power of positive thinking.  This positive thinking can NEVER get us into heaven.  But God loves us and God created us in His image so we should not fail to see ourselves in that way.  If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we are not only created in the image of the Almighty God, but we are also now called children of God!  What a blessing that is.

So nothing listed in the grouping of what will get you into heaven is bad, but rather most are good, and even commanded.  But none of them alone with get you into heaven.

There is ONLY ONE WAY to heaven.  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31.  John 14:6 further states, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

And Acts 4:12 says this about Jesus, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

So what will get you into heaven?  Only faith and trust that Jesus Christ, God Himself, came to earth, lived among men, never sinned, was tortured and sent to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, for the sins of all who believe in Him.  And that three days later, He rose from the grave and smashed death to smithereens.  He now reigns at the right hand of God the Father and will one day return to earth to bring about a new heaven and a new earth where we will live eternally with Him in Glory!  WOW!! What a Savior!!

Before your head hits the pillow

What does it mean to judge, or what does the Bible say about judging?

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

What does it mean to judge, or what does the Bible say about judging?

The Bible speaks often about judging and in many cases the word judge has a different meaning.

Below are many passages that warn us against judging. I believe that Jesus warned so frequently against judging, for when we judge others we don’t take an introspective look at ourselves and our own spiritual deficiencies.

We can talk about Sue at the office and how often she gossips, or we can discuss how Larry has such terrible language, or how frustrated that Mr. and Mrs. Lewis never seem to volunteer for anything at church. When we do this, we don’t take the time to look at the plank in our own eye. When Jesus was speaking about this type of judgment he was telling us not to judge hypocritically.

Judging others seems to give us a reprieve, and that is not what the Lord would want. Here are the passages on this type of judging:

Matt. 7:1-3″Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.…

Luke 6:37″Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:41″Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

John 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

So if we think it is okay to judge others’ sins or deficiencies we had better make sure that we have taken a good look at our own lives before we do. There may be time when spiritual discipline is in order, but we must be sure that we are the correct person to administer that discipline and we are doing so in love.

Now this doesn’t mean that we ignore sin, but it does mean that we must be careful before we judge someone else’s sin. We do however have a responsibility to assist another Christian who is sinning, to lovingly and respectfully let them understand their error. James 5:20 states: — let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 2 Timothy 4:2 says – preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

I think we often confuse discernment for judging. I do believe that it is valid to be discerning. It is appropriate for a parent to look at their teenage children’s friends and make a determination whether they believe those friends are appropriate for their child.

It is appropriate for us to discern that certain people are not good for us so we should not associate with them. That is discernment.

Understanding that something is not Godly, is not judging.

Many have cited the passage that indicates we will know them by the fruit on their tree. This passage, Matt. 7:15-20 is specifically speaking about false prophets and how important it is for us to be able to identify them.

Matthew 7:15-21″Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “So then, you will know them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.…

Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

Luke 6:44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.

As Christians we must be ever vigilant about from whom we are taking spiritual leadership. I think the most dangerous are those who speak some truth, but not all of the truth. They can sound good, they reference God and His power but they may also espouse Buddha or Confucius. If you find a spiritual leader like this RUN!!!

And lastly there is the judging of one’s eternal destination. I think we will all agree on this one. That is left entirely up to the Lord! We must NEVER judge someone’s salvation, for only God knows this!

So I guess the long and the short of it is: Look at yourself before you pass judgment on anyone else. If a fellow believer is sinning, approach them with love and respect and NEVER judge anyone’s salvation. That is entirely up to God!