Tag Archives: James 1:5

Christian

Study and Verify

I believe the best way to learn God’s law is to read about it in the Holy Bible King James Version yourself. You can even pray for guidance and understanding as you read and study. James 1:5

When a preacher or teacher says, “the Bible says…”, you are better prepared having read the Bible to verify that statement. Don’t be afraid after Church to ask for a direct verse if you have a question about one of your pastor’s points. Send an email or make a phone call. They may even appreciate your interest.

There is a lot of errant doctrine out there and ultimately you are responsible for your own salvation.

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Christian

A Smothering

I have heard various preachers say that you need a covering. You need to be under a preacher or teacher. I’ve also heard people describe someone as their spiritual father. What’s wrong with either or both of these?

Under a covering? When I hear someone teach on this, this is what usually comes to mind: Matthew 23:15 KJV says Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

What should come to mind is 1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV which says, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

We don’t need a covering. Thanks to Jesus’ actions in becoming the sole sacrifice for sins and our High Priest there is no intermediary between man and God other than him.

A spiritual father? Jesus said call none Father but God. Matthew 23:9 KJV says
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Through Jesus you can go directly to your Father for wisdom. James 1:5 KJV says If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

It’s okay in my opinion to have spiritual influences here on Earth, the Bible does say iron sharpeneth iron. But remember who your spiritual Father should be: Jehovah himself.

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Christian, Inspirational

Malpractice

The Bible says in Luke 11:52 KJV
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Who are the lawyers? Any teacher or preacher of the Word of God is a lawyer. It is impossible to teach or preach the Word without practicing law. Unfortunately, Christianity is rampant with malpractice.

How do they prevent others from entering into the Kingdom of Heaven: misinformation and incorrect doctrine. They bring people to the door. They teach a “Prayer of Salvation” and do not usher the people through the door.

Baptism is crucial to salvation. Mark 16:16. It is being born again. Only after baptism do you enter into the Kingdom of God.

Be careful to not place anyone between yourself and the door of Heaven. Study on your own to show yourself approved. 2 Timothy 2:15. Remember James 1:5 KJV,
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Christian, Inspirational

Stuck

In Revelation 2:25 KJV, the Lord warned the church in Thyatira, But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

The problem is most denominations today heed this advice not discerning the truth. Their preachers cling to what they were taught in seminary or preaching school. I once heard someone jokingly call it cemetery – and I’m not sure that’s far off the mark.

Which is a commandment of God:

A. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

Or

B. Thou shall not use musical instruments in a worship service.

The correct answer is A. All the Ten Commandments are still valid and even reiterated in the New Testament. What theologians who divide the law argue is that the law of Moses has ended while we are now under the law of Christ and the New Testament. To which I say read the New Testament correctly and you will see Jesus and his disciples keeping the Sabbath. Read the Old Testament correctly and you will see Moses received the law from Christ.

In Matthew 5:17 KJV, Jesus says, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

There are plenty of examples of musical instruments in the Old Testament being used to worship the Lord. If you’re holiness is composed only of singing acapella in church services, I point out, Matthew 5:20 KJV For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Cling to the truth. If you have problems discerning it while you’re in school or reading the Bible at home, pray to the Lord for understanding.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Christian, Inspirational

CLE

Lawyers take CLE, continuing legal education, classes yearly to keep their bar credentials valid and current.

The idea – in keeping current, there’s always room for improvement. We’re never too old to learn new material or to refresh our memory of something we have already learned.

Galatians 3:25 KJV says But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Faith then is our diploma.

Faith, primarily my faith, calls me to try to read the Holy Bible daily. We could call that continuing legal education. God himself recommends CLE. See 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, and 1 Peter 3:15 KJV … be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:.

My faith tells me the Holy Ghost will teach me himself. There are things in the Bible I still don’t understand. There remains wisdom to gain everyday. And there remains room to grow in faith.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Mark 9:24 KJV
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

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Christian, Inspirational

Denominational Deafness

I am of the opinion that most people, like myself, attend church based on parental influence. It’s hard to leave a group you’ve known since childhood. The Church of Christ I attend is given over to denominational deafness. They are no different than thousands of other churches. At the base level I think people pay for what they like to hear, comfortable words.

When people would not hear Jesus, he bluntly told them they could not hear because their father was the Devil. He said, if your father were God, you would hear me. John 8:43-47. I am not Jesus to say this of someone, but I wonder greatly. If a person is partially deaf to the truth, does that show they have given room to the Devil? What level of deafness can cause loss of salvation?

The following ways to fight deafness are crucial.

Question the actions that occur at your denomination. Are they biblical? Is their scriptural interpretation accurate?

There are only two ways that I know of to answer these questions. Study and prayer. Read the Holy Bible on your own and pray for wisdom that you may understand it.

Acts 17:11 KJV … they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Inspirational

Power of God

2 Timothy 3:5 KJV
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This verse I think describes many churches. They sing psalms, they pray, they offer the Lord’s Supper, but do they believe in the power of God?
The following are a few things I have heard and observed at the Church of Christ I attend:
Miracles are ended because Jesus is perfect and he has already come. 1 Corinthians 13:10. This is misinterpretation and contrary to James 5:14-15 that tells us God will do miracles in the Church if you follow his word with performance.
I believe perfection of a man occurs only in Christ. He can provide the strength to help us be sinless. Philippians 4:13 Yet, a member did not believe Christ could help us walk perfectly. I say believe. His intent in dying was to show us how to live.

When discussing the gift of wisdom, one member said God grants it through study not miraculously. I do not say do not study, but the Bible says in James 1:5 the Lord giveth wisdom to those that ask. Therefore ask and believe.

The preacher once said of God when he said he hardened Pharaoh’s heart it doesn’t actually mean God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but rather Pharaoh set his mind against the Lord. Why do you doubt scripture? Why argue against the Lord? If the Holy Bible speaks, listen. Your own interpretation is not better. If you cannot believe God has the power to harden a man’s heart and to heal, do you really truly believe God has the power to Save? Or sadly are you just going through the motions? Does your church have the form of godliness, but not truly believe in God’s power?

I say again to you and to me Believe!

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