James 1:27
27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Empower the powerless and engage and change the world without being defiled by it sums up the mission Christ has laid before us.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
This is the verse that will conclude Passage of the Day. I have enjoyed the past few years of preparing these for the world. However, God has placed Russian orphans on the heart of my wife and I. We are not sure, as of yet, what God has planned for us, but we are beginning our journey toward exploring and finding out. For this reason, and various lesser others, I will be moving away from Passage of the Day and on towards this new endeavor that will involve much prayer, reading, research, and time. Thank you for reading and words of support.
May God bless you in whatever mission He has for you. May we all remain faithful and committed to our Lord, Master, King, High Priest, Savior, and Friend Jesus Christ. May we continue to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit as ambassadors to this lost and lonely generation. Amen.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Passage of the Day - July 6, 2011
James 1:26
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.
People are listening to what we say, how we say it, and why we say it. What good is our praise to God for 90 minutes on Sunday when we say shameful things the rest of the week?
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.
People are listening to what we say, how we say it, and why we say it. What good is our praise to God for 90 minutes on Sunday when we say shameful things the rest of the week?
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Passage of the Day - July 5, 2011
James 1:22-25
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
There are many Star Wars fans who can tell you all there is to know about hyperspace, but have never navigated a single parsec. There are many people that could talk your ear off about the legal system and why Casey Anthony should or should not have been found not guilty, but have never stepped foot into a court of law. There are many expert parents out there, they tend to have zero kids of their own. There are many expert Christians, but live their lives exactly the same way everyone else does. We are not called to study the Bible to become like our Expert Jesus Christ; we are called to be disciples to become like our Master Jesus Christ. We are called to master what is called for in the Bible. A plumber doesn’t drive up to your house in a Cadillac because he filled in the right bubbles on a scantron. No, he worked hard as an apprentice learning how to be a plumber, doing the work of a plumber, getting licensed as a plumber, and being an effective and successful plumber. Let us do the same.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
There are many Star Wars fans who can tell you all there is to know about hyperspace, but have never navigated a single parsec. There are many people that could talk your ear off about the legal system and why Casey Anthony should or should not have been found not guilty, but have never stepped foot into a court of law. There are many expert parents out there, they tend to have zero kids of their own. There are many expert Christians, but live their lives exactly the same way everyone else does. We are not called to study the Bible to become like our Expert Jesus Christ; we are called to be disciples to become like our Master Jesus Christ. We are called to master what is called for in the Bible. A plumber doesn’t drive up to your house in a Cadillac because he filled in the right bubbles on a scantron. No, he worked hard as an apprentice learning how to be a plumber, doing the work of a plumber, getting licensed as a plumber, and being an effective and successful plumber. Let us do the same.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
Passage of the Day - July 4, 2011
James 1:19-21
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
We all know the phrase, “Bite my tongue”. We “bite our tongue” when we really want to light into someone, but we think better of it. God is happy that we stop ourselves from saying something dumb out of anger, but He would be even more pleased if we weren’t so quick to anger. I know my face speaks volumes. Those who know me well know that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I can’t get away with any emotion good or bad. Therefore, it would be best to be slower to anger because even if I don’t say or do anything, my facial expressions alone will do all the damage for me, and who wants that?
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
We all know the phrase, “Bite my tongue”. We “bite our tongue” when we really want to light into someone, but we think better of it. God is happy that we stop ourselves from saying something dumb out of anger, but He would be even more pleased if we weren’t so quick to anger. I know my face speaks volumes. Those who know me well know that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I can’t get away with any emotion good or bad. Therefore, it would be best to be slower to anger because even if I don’t say or do anything, my facial expressions alone will do all the damage for me, and who wants that?
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
Passage of the Day - July 3, 2011
James 1:17-18
17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
Those who invest a lot of time and effort into something really want to enjoy it when they are finished. The same is true of God. God is not some big guy in the sky who created the world and just sits back. No, God is heavily interested and invested in our lives because He wants to enjoy the great works He will do in our hearts and minds and with our lives. He is willing to grant us anything and everything that is necessary to make that happen. Don’t be afraid to ask. If our focus is to please God and we are missing something that is essential to us pleasing God, ask Him for it and He will grant it to you. Why wouldn’t He?
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
Those who invest a lot of time and effort into something really want to enjoy it when they are finished. The same is true of God. God is not some big guy in the sky who created the world and just sits back. No, God is heavily interested and invested in our lives because He wants to enjoy the great works He will do in our hearts and minds and with our lives. He is willing to grant us anything and everything that is necessary to make that happen. Don’t be afraid to ask. If our focus is to please God and we are missing something that is essential to us pleasing God, ask Him for it and He will grant it to you. Why wouldn’t He?
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
Passage of the Day - July 2, 2011
James 1:13-16
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
I have read James multiple times, but I have never pondered this section before. Sin is produced from the fertilization of our lust by Satan’s temptation. According to this passage in James, focusing on our desires is really our own doing and acting upon them is really no surprise when temptation is added to the mix. How fertile and exposed is your lust right now? Our emotions and attitudes are good barometers of our lust’s fertility.
God, I am seeing by my emotional and attitude focuses that I am focusing more on my desires, entitlements, and agendas, than on Your Kingdom. Please help me to only be concerned with what you want of me today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
I have read James multiple times, but I have never pondered this section before. Sin is produced from the fertilization of our lust by Satan’s temptation. According to this passage in James, focusing on our desires is really our own doing and acting upon them is really no surprise when temptation is added to the mix. How fertile and exposed is your lust right now? Our emotions and attitudes are good barometers of our lust’s fertility.
God, I am seeing by my emotional and attitude focuses that I am focusing more on my desires, entitlements, and agendas, than on Your Kingdom. Please help me to only be concerned with what you want of me today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
Friday, July 1, 2011
Passage of the Day - Juy 1, 2011
James 1:12
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Under trial. We sometimes view this as only persecution and such, but it also holds true for times of tempting. How God chooses to use us is tied to how we respond to times of trial and temptation. Our character is built during these times. Who we are is established. Our masters for life are chosen during these times. When faced with difficulty, do we turn to our King, or to some other device. Christ uses those who turn to Him because they have a tendency to listen better. Let us all remember this during our next time of trial.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Under trial. We sometimes view this as only persecution and such, but it also holds true for times of tempting. How God chooses to use us is tied to how we respond to times of trial and temptation. Our character is built during these times. Who we are is established. Our masters for life are chosen during these times. When faced with difficulty, do we turn to our King, or to some other device. Christ uses those who turn to Him because they have a tendency to listen better. Let us all remember this during our next time of trial.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
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