GOD IS GENEROUS BUT....

James 1:5-8 (NLT) ⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Verse five says God will not rebuke us for asking for wisdom. God is generous however the stipulation is the condition of our heart and mind. If we are wishy-washy when it comes to God verse seven says not to expect to receive anything from the Lord. Wow! That is an interesting piece of info. Perhaps God doesn't want to waste the wisdom. Perhaps this is a disciplining measure. However have you ever noticed that when people refuse to learn the lessons they are unstable in everything they do?

REJOICE WHEN PROBLEMS COME

James 1:2-4 (NLT) ² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.


Now I know I have a long way to go but one thing I know for sure that I am making improvements in handling problems. I am learning to rejoice in problems. I have the only Toyota 4-Runner that my mechanic knows of to blow an engine. I rejoice. I have learned to rejoice with a son in Iraq and now in San Diego, [not coming home for dinner very often], I have learned to rejoice when the less that appreciative parishioner is well unappreciative towards the role of such a sweet pastor. I have learned to rejoice when the tax bill comes around, and around, and around. I have learned to... well as I look back at what I am writing the truth is I am learning, the tax dill, man, that really well... is hard to rejoice over.

Truth is all the problems I have faced...are teaching me to rejoice. James 1:2-4 really works. What about you? Are you learning to rejoice?

SLAVE

James 1:1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!

This is an interesting verse that begins the book of James. James doesn't see being a slave as a bad thing. He identifies himself as a slave. He is writing to the 12 tribes of believers that have been scattered and he says Greetings or actually he is saying Joy to you all...

How can that be that being a slave is ok and pronouncing joy on people that are scattered, forced away from their homes.

I think the answer is and we will discover in James a relationship with the Master Jesus is so good it is good to be a slave and circumstances are never so bad that Jesus is not good when we are in Him....

What do you think?

MY KIDS MOM

My kids would be missing a whole lot of guidance, example and knowledge if it was left up to me in the raising of my kids. Of course they are raised now, but as I reflect back on our at home with the kids days without Susan they would of missed out on some essential things for life.

They would of missed out on perspective. Susan just has the ability to look at things from a healthy perspective. The glass is always half full with Susan. Hope is always present. Difficulties are not forever with Susan. With me not so much.

They would of missed out on understanding. Susan always was able to understand the pains and hurts of her children. She was always able to give an answer that helped. She was always able to listen when they needed to be listened to. She was always able to say the right things when the right thing needed to be said. With me not so much.

They would of missed out on some getting along with others education. Susan is just able to get along with people. She has always had a way of being with people that are not always easy to be with and be OK with being with them. With me not so much.

They would of missed out on some self-esteem training. Susan is ok in her skin. She doesn't need to be someone else to be secure or at peace. With me not so much.

My kids would really be in a mess if it were left up to me. I am thankful to God for my kids mom.

MOTHERS DAY

Tomorrow is Mothers Day. Mothers day is one of those difficult sermon topic ideas for pastors. Mothers day is not a great day for everyone. It's not a great day for ladies who aren't able to have kids. It's not a great day for people that did not have a good experience with their mom. It's not a great day for those who have lost their mom recently. Lot's of emotion is wrapped up in mothers day. To make matters worse people expect something special on mother sday. We pass out flowers, give gifts, all kinds of stuff, sing special songs etc.. and all this and no reference in the Bible to have a special day for moms, or dads for that matter, or Christmas or even Easter. I mean you really can't find anything in the bible for a special day except to keep the sabbath holy...yet we do it anyway...

But, we honor Moms the second Sunday in May every year. The card and flower companies love it. I guess moms love it. Just kind of wonder what God thinks about it all...

WHY DIDN'T THE PRIEST AND THE ASSISTANT HELP

Luke 10:30-37 Jesus replied with an illustration: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. [31] "By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. [32] A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. [33] "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. [34] Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. [35] The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, 'I'll pay the difference the next time I am here.' [36] "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. [37] The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

So why didn't the priest and the assistant stop to help? Think about it for a moment. I think the number one reason they didn't help is they thought. Man these guys are beating and robbing Jews I ain't going to hang around here very long.

To help people we must be willing to take risks. Helping people can be messy and getting involved difficult on our schedules, time, and plans. But Jesus is clear we are to go and do the same.

DRAFT DAY