For the past couple months I have been in a bible study in the book of James. It has been convicting to say the least for his style of writing cuts to the core...sort of in your face verses.
After one verse containing an hello, James tells us to count it all joy when (not if) we fall into temptations, (1:12). Follows that with verses on patience, wisdom, faith, double mindedness, the poor and rich, lust, sin...set up the next chapters with, 'be swift to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19)." Honestly I do not recognize the renewed mercies of God if I get this verse twisted. If I am so busy complaining about my trial I will not be merciful with those around me. If I am too busy gossiping I will not be exercising mercy.
I love the headings in my KJV Bible that show James going from one subject to the next.
True religion evidence by conduct...1:19-27
True faith impartial...2:1-13
True faith evidenced by works..2:14-26.
True faith evidenced by words...3:1_12
True and false wisdom...3:13-18
The appeal to hold fast...4:1-10
Faith defined...4:11-17
The miseries of the rich...5:1-6
The patience of the saints...5:7-12
And finally Prayer and confession. ..5:13-20
Everywhere I step in James leaves me with bloodied toes from him not just stepping but standing on my feet looking me square in my face. Don't you just love those who tell it like it is... James never leaves you guessing, he never just hints at a truth but click on the BOLD BUTTON with every word.
Praise God, Praise God it's so encouraging to know He never runs out of mercy, it's new every morning for I always use up yesterdays allotment and like manna it cannot be stored up for tomorrow...it's brand spanking every morning.
What is God teaching you lately about the mercy of God?
Amen!
ReplyDeleteI like your analogy over the candidness of James' writing.
"Everywhere I step in James leaves me with bloodied toes from him not just stepping but standing on my feet looking me square in my face."
We Filipinos usually say, "I had a noosebleed...."
And Praise God, He renews His mercies everyday, like His faithfulness in sending the sun to the other side when darkness covers the other side to rest.
Wahoooo!
Lolita...like that, "I had a nosebleed..." so very thankful for the results convicting brings from the words of our Lord. Thanks for stopping by. I haven't been posted much since we started our move. Had to lay aside something for the sake of ministry while trying to settle into the culture of California. But I am keeping up with you girls...drawing from the wisdom you all share. Blessings my friend.
ReplyDeleteLolita...like that, "I had a nosebleed..." so very thankful for the results convicting brings from the words of our Lord. Thanks for stopping by. I haven't been posted much since we started our move. Had to lay aside something for the sake of ministry while trying to settle into the culture of California. But I am keeping up with you girls...drawing from the wisdom you all share. Blessings my friend.
ReplyDeleteI missed you, Betty!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I'm going to be starting the book of James with my seniors Bible study next week.
Almost every Scripture in James is highlighted and written about in my Bible. James is my favorite book, because so much transformation took place in me from parking in James for a few years. It literally transformed me. So, I know what you mean by "Everywhere I step in James leaves me with bloodied toes from him not just stepping but standing on my feet looking me square in my face."
I know, in teaching it, once again The LORD will be in my face through James! HALLELUJAH!
Betty-
ReplyDeleteLet there be no Doubt-you through the words of James-tell us exactly how it is!
During Lent, I made a devotional promise of sorts and Read my Bible each night-starting with the New Testament! All I can say is how much my heart was impacted-I just took time out from the world around me and allowed myself to HEAR the Words on those pages.
A few years ago, I became severely ill-nobody could find out why-but I was in Intensive care for seven days and have no real memory of it. Once I got home, a "Message" from God hit me-I had not been taking good care of my body-and recall a dear friend asking me "Well Martha-what are you going to do now?"
With no hesitation I said "Well I learned something BIG from all this-The Lord has a HUGE GUN-its called a 30/06 (in Texas-a gun that can bring you to the ground) and I guess God decided it was TIME for Martha to wakeup-so I was brought down by that MAJOR GUN of HIS.
My life changed so much after that-I don't take it for granted ever!
Sometimes if I am getting off course, its like I can hear that gentle "CLICK" of the trigger, and I am praying fast, letting HIM know, "I GOT IT LORD, YES-I Do understand!"
So I guess you could say I didn't get the Nosebleed, but I certainly did stand for a second at the end of that GUN-filled with LOVE-HE loves me so much and decided-Martha has got to learn-Martha matters!
Thanks for letting me take up space Betty-but this made the words pour out of me.
Love you,martha
Diane I brought my KJV on our trip back to Ky and I had forgotten how much I had underlined in James from my first trip through James. I actually would like to memorize James...now that is a dream, that comment is for Veronica my sweet stick figure friend.
ReplyDeleteMartha, you do not know how much your testimony rang in my heart. God has surely been speaking to me about not taking care of myself. I just prayed about three hours ago for wisdom on a couple health issues that are causing me to feel drained. Since coming home from Papua New Guinea I have not taken care to seek medical help. That big Texas gun went off in my head this morning and I too heard the Lord through James chapter 5:13-18. You my wise hearted friend just comfirmed it with your words.
I so applauded you Diane and those who post every day practically...your faithfullness over whelms me at times. You have affected my life and the cause of Christ. God bless you girls...God bless you, God bless you. Thank you dear circle of friends.
Gee, Martha and Betty!
ReplyDeleteI think God has fired that Texas Gun up for me too. This age we are in, needs time for health issues to be prioritized.
Oh, my! Oh, my!
Wow...God is speaking to all of us. I'm writing a new blog called Health for Life...it's still in the writing of the pages stage, so it won't be ready for a while yet. I'll let you know when it's readable.
ReplyDeleteMartha, you Texans sure are funny. I love that God needed the BIG GUNS for you. LOL...guns, nosebleeds....wow... I just get laid up on the couch for months. It's like God had to sit on my chest to get my attention.
I love you all and I learn from YOU GUYS!!! Group Hug!
I finished the James study a few weeks ago. And I've been changed. What a powerful book! It was good to dig deep into those words. But yes, my toes are pretty bruised, too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Jennifer, welcome. Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteWe ladies are taking off the summer from any group bible study and I am glad. I need time to go back and work through some of James...you are so right so much in such a short book.
Blessings.
James has always been a challenging book for me. I keep reading and studying it because I just never seem to learn the lessons the Father is trying to teach me. I am thankful for his mercy.
ReplyDeleteBTW sometimes when I try to get to your blog from my Google Reader I get an error message.
Elizabth now sure why you get an "error" message at times. but thanks for continuing to try to get on my site.
ReplyDeletejust read your lates...funny girl, funny.
This is a wonderful post. Every time, I open my Bible, I come away with new knowledge and "bloodied toes." And, I believe that this is the perfect path to understanding and living HIS WORD. Many blessings!
ReplyDeleteJames is definitely life changing! Thank you for visiting me!
ReplyDeleteMy toes are bloody too... I love how he starts the letter, "James, servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes scattered among the nations." (I think I got that right) He is direct from the beginning to the end, he doesn't leave you guessing about much!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. While the truth does hurt, it's easy to recognize... you know, the blood and all.
Floyd...I had to laugh as I read your last line...while the truth does hurt, it's easy to recognize... you know, the blood and all. Blessings my brother.
ReplyDeleteSaleslady371...need to stop by your site more, lots of helpful ideas...
Cynthia...you are so right, each book, chapter, verse brings us to ourselves so we will not live for ourselves but Him who shed His blood.
Hi sister Betty. My family and I just got home after having our breakfast earlier than the usual from our fav. place. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your visit at my site. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAs we were sitting there in a booth, I told my family how I was praying for all the elderly there as I kind of overheard some of their conversation. One asked how she was doing and the reply was" "Still breathing...Thank God!"
The others quickly quipped, "That's true." Then, stories how this and that were still in the hospital followed. I started praying silently for them, for the Lord to give them strength and healing and comfort and clarity of mind. As my child returned to our table with my coffee, I shared it with him and hubby. I told them how it is always in my heart to do some ministry for the elderly as I was a nurse at a busy hospital Ortho floor years ago (before the Lord placing me in prison), I had many instances of sharing some intimate moments with some who were lonely because their family members, either had not visited them or some sad about the reality of facing physical death.
But what always stands out to me, I always learn a lot instead from the wisdom they gained after many years of walking in their journeys. Especially the ones who walked in that narrow path...
I love your hubby's reminder to not put the tent stakes so deep because we are just sojourners. What came to mind was that, if the Lord made earth in "days" (which could mean a thousand years to Him or vice versa), I couldn't imagine what He prepared for "eternity"...That always gives me comfort.
Sorry for my long comment. I just wanted to say thank you and God bless and strengthen you always. I love the Book of James. If only I can always appply what He said to my "walk"...God help us all. Have a great weekend sister and "be strong in the Lord's mighty power!"
RCUBEs...Love it that you called me sister Betty...since I have been a little homesick for that kind of talk. Being from the bible belt you hear "brother, sister" a lot. Now we live in California and you don't hear those terms often. But I have met people here who love God and look for ways to serve Him.
ReplyDeleteI now will wonder when we are out to eat who is sitting there praying for me. What a blessing you to our Lord, He has sprinkle prayer warriors all over the world. Blessings my sister.
What a blessing to read your comment on my blog . . . words that spoke to my heart! And now I come to your blog and am blessed again! I, too, am so thankful for His mercy - especially when we have "bloodied toes" again and again!
ReplyDeleteI love your mission. If ever we needed wise-hearted women, today is that day.
ReplyDeleteI just finished a Kay Arthur Precepts study series (Prophets & Kings). Wow. I felt like I'd been drinking from a fire hose, so rich & extensive was the learning. Mostly I came away with a sense of awe about history, and how it is His-story.
Blessings,
Kathleen
Thanks Glenda for jumping over to my site. As you can see I am not an every day or even every week blogger. After years of living overseas we are now stateside and I must admit I am still a little over whelmed by it.
ReplyDeleteI love checking out new blogs for encouragment...yours and Sassy Granny were my latest. I so appreciate the kind words girls.
Thank you for being wise hearted women who love the Lord and are willing to put yourselve out there.
Hope you followed some of the girls who left comments before you...wise hearted women also. Blessings.