“In the long run we are all dead,” said John Maynard Keynes of ‘buy now pay later’ fame. If death is the end of it all, then humanity’s long term outlook is dismal. But, hope can only spring from an unlimited, everlasting, all caring God. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13 KJV).
Joy
Thankful To Whom?
“1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5 KJV).
Suffering and Glory
Suffering as a Christian is not a strange thing, even with our constitutional forgetfulness and ignorance multiplying our sorrows. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1Peter 4:12-13 KJV). But, rejoice because those who suffer with Jesus will also be glorified with Him. No suffering, no glory.
Blessing of the LORD Makes a Person Rich
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22 KJV). Is God promising to make all His children financially rich? Certainly any disciple who is enriched must account for it from our Father’s blessing. Are we to limit this promise to financial blessings only? No, for we would be preventing God from granting us spiritual blessings, which far exceed the luster of money. If Yahweh has given you the faith to claim this promise to meet a financial need in your life, then “according to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29 KJV). Be sure to claim all the promise: “and He addeth no sorrow with it” (10:22). I take that to mean it is a blessing that brings joy with it. What a blessing to receive spiritual or financial blessing with the joy of the LORD!
Today Is The Best Day Of Your Life
Today is the best day of your life. Some may say it was the day they became a disciple, got married, or had kids. Scripture says, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 KJV). Yesterday is past. Tomorrow may never come. Today is the only day you have in which to live. Use it as God’s gift to you. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Thank you LORD, and thanks Jeff for the insight!
James 1 Commentary
Practical Christian Wisdom from the New Testament Book of James
A Letter of Practical Christian Wisdom
Introduction (1:1)
Verse 1: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings” (James 1:1 NIV).
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NIV) tells us that the writer of this letter was James, a younger half-brother of Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 13:55). Once a bonafide skeptic (Mark 3:21) of the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) of his Older Brother, James had now been transformed to become His ardent supporter, humbling himself not only as a “servant [Greek, doulos, slave] of God” (1:1 NIV), but equally, a bond servant by choice of Jesus, who he now admits to be the Jewish Messiah and his master. James’ choice of calling himself a “servant of God” (1:1 NIV) is consistent with the teachings of Christ. “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me” (John 12:26 NIV). We are servants of the Lord with the benefit of God directing our choices in life. Remember, we are not here to figure out how to use God, but how He can use us. This epistle or letter was addressed to the “twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (1:1 NIV), since the Early Church was originally Jewish converts returning to their homes from the Acts 2 Pentecost, as well as, to the converted Jewish brothers and sisters “scattered among the nations” (1:1 NIV) by the persecutions of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1). NT scholars date this epistle as sometime before 62 AD, when James was martyred by King Herod (Acts 12:2). The Romans did not destroy Jerusalem and the Temple until 70 AD. “Greetings” (1:1 NIV) is the expected salutation, since this is a letter.
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