James 1:19-20

“19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. ”

By definition, to hear is to perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something).

Is there a difference between hearing and listening?

By definition, to listen is to give one’s attention to a sound.

The definitions may be similar but the implication is different.

To hear what a person is saying indicates that your recognize when someone is speaking. To hear requires the hearer to give attention to what is being said.

We live in a time where our listening skills are imperative. There are so many voices out there and they are saying a lot of stuff. Some is right and some is wrong. We as believers must we able to recognize what is Godly (of God), and what is not.

We must be able to recognize when God is speaking, and who he is speaking through. But also just as important, we must be able to recognize what is not of God.

We must develop our hearing and listening skills to discern what is of God, and what is not. We must listen to what is being said at all times (swift or fast to hear). However, we should not be too hasty with our response (slow to speak). We must take time to weigh the words that were spoken. If they be of God, we should accept them. For the word of God is always right and true, and fit to use to govern our lives.

If the words spoken are not of God, they must be rejected. It should be done in decently and in order. We do not act in a way that is contrary to the will of God (slow to wrath). Everything we do or say has a foundation in love. Especially rebuke. Godly rebuke is to correct, so the person can get back on the right path. It should never be done so that a person is so deeply wounded that they turn away from God. He that win souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).

Extreme anger (wrath) on our part does not bring Glory to God. We should avoid it at all cost. We do not want to go there, nor do we want to drive people to that point either. Our goal is to always bring Glory to God.

We must hear and listen. Then breathe, take any action that is necessary only when the spirit of God leads. Do not feel pressured into action, it is okay to slow down to consider, to weight, and to discern. Slow is an acceptable speed. Sometimes, moving to quickly is an enemy of growth.

1 John 4:7-8

“7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. ”

With all the hate that is freely flowing in the world today, I just want to share some love with you all.

We may not always agree or see things the same way. But we should always be able to disagree without malicious intent.

Showing love is so easy. We just need to have a made up mind to do it. To that end, here is some love for you. Please feel free to take this love and spread it to some one else.

Do not despair if the love is not returned to you. Shake the dust off your feet (so to speak) and be willing to continue to show love. Do not let hate, dampen or diminish the light of love in you. For if our light be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (2 Corinthians 4:3). This we cannot allow, for they are the ones who need us the most.

Be encouraged and let love continue.

James 1:22-25

“22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ”

It is easy for a person teach the word of God. It is another thing to live or walk in the word you teach. But to be effective for the cause of Christ, we must live the word we teach. This causes our witness to be effective. People not only hear the words you speak, but they also see your life. The life that they see should be the word in action (2 Corinthians 3:2). Most often, the life we live speaks louder than the words we say.

We must be careful not to fall into the trap of “do as I say, not as I do” syndrome.

Romans 8:19, tells us that the world is waiting in expectation for the children of God to take their place and be effective. We need to work under an anointing that breaks and destroys the yoke of bondage the people are toiling under. Our purpose is to point, rather, usher the people to God. For his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

For this reason we must be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer (or not just a teacher). We cannot afford to deceive ourselves. Faith, without works is dead. We are going to be tried, we are going to face temptation, and we are going to go through troubling situations. But we must come out victorious (for God always causes us to triumph, 2 Corinthians 2:14). This requires a level a maturity in Christ. It requires us to study the word, find the right ammunition (scripture) with which to fight the enemy. Then boldly and skillfully use the sword of the spirit (the word of God), against the enemy, in faith.

It is time for the people of God to go forth and conquer.

I don’t know what you are facing, but if you are in a battle, it is only because God knows you can come through it victoriously.

Do not fall back into your old behaviors. Its time for you to do things differently. Its time to do things God’s way. You can make the change, just trust God, and not your own strength or power. Keep you mind and eyes focused on him, and stay the course. Victory is in front of you, not behind.

Go Forth and Conquer!!

John 8:32

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ”

If you take the time to read the teachings of Jesus, you will see that people were often offended as he spoke the truth. Yet, the truth was exactly what the people needed.

We live in a time where people don’t want to hear the truth. They do not want to come to church and be offended. They want validation that they are “okay” as they are. They can live life as they choose to, as long as they acknowledge God n a cursory manner.

They do not want a deeper relationship and will shun the very thought of it.

But we must know the truth, because that is the only thing that can free us. What is truth? Truth is the word of God (John 17:17). We must “know” the word to be able to walk in truth.

By definition, “know” is:

1. be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.

2. have developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with

To know the truth is imperative. It requires more than knowledge alone. It also involves relationship. It involves getting to know Jesus, by spending time with him (prayer, Bible study, praise and worship). But the real mark of a good relationship is the ability to walk day in and day out with them, to understand how the other thinks. We must have this same type of relationship with God. Knowing him (truth) will indeed make us free.

In regards to being offended by the word, we must understand it is necessary for growth. When light comes, darkness flees. With darkness out of the way, we are free to see exactly where and what we are. This can be a painful view. However, it is also the perfect place to repent, tear down, and rebuild what is pleasing to God.

This is true freedom. Knowing we do not have to stay the same old way. We have a choice. We can receive the truth and be changed.

We just have to be willing to know the truth.

Make a sincere prayerful declaration – “Lord, teach me the truth in Jesus name.” Watch God work on you.

Be blessed.

James 1:6-8

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. ”

If you are like me, you need God to make a way for you in every aspect of your life.

God’s way is easy. He said “ask, and he shall receive, seek and he shall finds, knock, and the door shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8). But he also warned us, not to ask amiss (James 4:3).

By definition, amiss is: not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.

We must check our motives behind our requests to God. You must understand that God already knows the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). He understands what motivated you to make your request. If your motives are not quite right, inappropriate or out of place, don’t think that you are going to receive the the things you asked for.

When your motives are pure or appropriate, you are on the right path to receive. However, the next step is to check you faith. Faith in God is a requirement to receive anything from God. Faith is a requirement to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Whatever we do that is not faith, it is sin (Romans 14:23). This especially includes asking God for help – it requires faith.

In the James 1:6-8, this foundational truth is further explained. When we seek God for help, we must ask without any wavering.

By definition, wavering is to be undecided between two opinions or courses of action; be irresolute.

To he in this state, as a believer, is unsafe. You must be settled in the area for which you are trying to receive from God. No doubt is allowed or accepted.

We are not superhuman. Generally, when we seek God for something specific it is because we are weak in that area and need God to strengthen us just to be able to receive from him. But this is according to God’s design. Whatever area we are seeking God, we will also be tried in that area.

For example, if you need God to heal you and you ask him for healing, immediately the enemy comes to test and try you in this area. The news gets worse from the doctor, the pain increases. It begins to look like things are getting worse rather than better. However, we must press threw this crowd of contrariness, settle in your heart that God IS able, that God IS a healer, and keep pressing (just like the woman with an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48). No matter the obstacles, keep pressing.

Through this process, we miraculously move from attitudes of “I hope” God will heal me, to “I think” God will heal me, to” I believe” God will heal me, to “I know” God will heal me, to “God is my only hope – he has to heal me because, he said it in his word, I am standing in faith, pressing my way through this crowd and if I can just touch him I know I will be made whole.” This progression should move us completely out of the realm of wavering, and doubt, into a state of walking by faith and not by sight.

This is a progression from immature faith to mature faith.

It is also an example of patience having her perfect work (James 1:4).

As we begin seek God for other things in different areas of our lives, we may start this progression all over again. But be encouraged, keep seeking God for everything. Seeking leads to receiving, and receiving leads to spiritual maturity. Ultimately, that is the goal for every Christian believer.

Be blessed and live abundantly in Christ.