Jeanette B's Blog – January 2009 Archive (17)

(Whoa!! This one’s a biggen!! I dug into my archives and found this entry that I made back in June07. I find it good to that, because it is so easy to forget the lessons I learned, and end up asking the same questions again. So here it is, as I see it:)



“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10,… Continue

Here's where I'm up to in James 3... (I'm using the New Living Translation this time.)



** WHAT IS WISDOM? **

Notice the two types of wisdom.



~~ Firstly, there is the worldly wisdom, which James says is NOT God's kind of wisdom. And note the seven characteristics in the bold print...



"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (NKJ says… Continue

Bingo!! I've found it!!



I've just discovered the key to the perfect man!!



I'm studying James 3, and in a previous post, I was musing over the meaning of verse 2. "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body." And in the verses that follow, James pointed out that NO ONE is able to tame the… Continue

Isn't Bible knowledge is wonderful? I love it!! I love the Word, because it is God's personal letter to me. And I can tend to be a bit of a Bible freak!! I can't get enough of it!!



But here is something I've learned from from an online buddy, and he's always challenged me on this one.



When someone asks a question, it is so easy to give a pat answer, an answer from the Good Book. What I say probably does mean something to me (I've had a revelation on it), but to someone… Continue

I used to love them as a kid ... just as long as you had someone to see-saw with, and just as long as it wasn't a mean kid, who'd jump off when you were in mid-air!!



But, as a grown-up, I've discovered that see-saws aren't that much fun... well, the ones I've tried lately haven't been.



I'm talking about the see-saws of indecision, and not knowing really what the Lord wants us to do. Most of it has been related to finance, and I know many are in the same spot. Making right… Continue

I was finding things a bit tense at present, with about 60 million things to do!! So I say to myself, time to lighten up!! So here's a couple of funnies!!



A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!'



While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty… Continue

According to James, no person can tame the tongue. We have to admit that so often our tongues get us in trouble. We think, after it's too late, "I shouldn't have said that!!"



So, for us, our trying is futile!!! But I think we all need to come to that point of realizing how corrupt we are. And really, the tongue is not what is the problem. As Jesus said, it is out of the abundance of the heart that our mouths speak. (See Matt 12:33-37) So we need to get to the heart of the… Continue

Can that possibly be?? Can *I* be perfect?



I'm still looking at what James says in chapter 3. And he says that if we don't stumble in what we say, we are PERFECT!! (See 3:2)



He said early, that we are made perfect through various trials that befall us, which are actually tests to our faith, and that in turn produces patience. Patience, he says, has to do its perfect work in us so that we can, in turn, be perfect and complete. (See 1:2-3)



So, I am wondering if… Continue

It's a stinkin' hot day here. About 37C!! No energy to do anything much, so watching TV seemed a good option.



I came in at the end of an old war movie about Nazi Germany. (Don't ask me the name of the movie.) A trial was on, and a young German soldier (the accused) was giving his defense. He spoke a message to the youth of Germany. It started out with words that pleased his accusers, saying that he had learned his lesson about rebelling against the authorities.



But he… Continue

Jesus said:



"Do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ." (Mat 23:10)



What did He mean by that??



Obviously, there ARE teachers in the Church. Isn't it one of the spiritual gifts? We read in other parts of the Bible that God gave some to be teachers, along with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors. (See Eph 4:11.)



Perhaps the important word in what Jesus said is CALLED. "Don't be CALLED teachers." God might place us… Continue

I'm sitting here amazed at how the Lord works. The remarkable way He brings people together from all around the globe! People of like mind and heart! People with a love for God!



And I'm observing how we often strive to make it happen. We see the internet as a wonderful tool to spread the gospel and to unite Christians, so we try and figure out ways and methods how we can do it.



But hey, my experience is very different to that. I am so thankful for a prayer group that I am… Continue

Okay, back to James 3...



"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers..." (v1)



Why does James say that? What was he referring to? What does he mean?



Well, if we go back to chapter 2, we find he was addressing the problem of partiality. It would seem that those was a real problem with snobbiness. Those who had looked down on those who didn't have.



And seeing that they thought themselves better, they presumed they should teach those who were "less… Continue

Just a little interlude...



I promise I will get back to the discussion about teachers ... as James says that not many of us should be teachers. So the question is who does qualify and what is the criteria for a teacher in the church? But hey, I haven't had time to get my thoughts on paper yet.



So for now, sit back and enjoy this old story!! Ya gotta love it! I used to read it to the kids, but only remembered the bit about the sky falling. I think there's some lessons in… Continue

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?''

The mother replied, "Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life."

The child thought about this for a moment then said, "So why is the groom wearing black?"

Continuing on from the last blog, and looking at James 3:1, where it says: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."



What does James mean about that stricker judgment? And why is it more severe for teachers? Could seem a bit unfair!?



Anyhow, I've been doing a bit of study, but I'm not finished yet. But here are the bare bones of what I've found. I thought you might like to look at it for your study. So, here it… Continue

A friend and I have been doing a study on James via email. It's been quite an adventure!! I must share some insights from chapters 1 and 2 sometime. Things like counting it all joy when trouble comes... and not being double-minded ... and faith without works is dead... etc.



Anyhow, that will have to wait, because now we're up to another sticky topic in chapter 3. The first verse certainly made me take a step back. Here's James 3, verses 1… Continue

The words, “God is faithful, and He will do it!” came to mind when I was looked at this photo. It needed a text to put in the corner.



But then I asked, “He will do WHAT??” I thought I should look up the context…



The NKJ says:



“Now may the God of peace HIMSELF sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“He who calls you is… Continue