Newsletter 270 November 20, 2011
James 1:19-25 King James Version
One commentary, I consulted, suggests that this must of necessity be the first New Testament book to be written, and that James, the half brother of Jesus and a pillar of the church in Jerusalem, wrote it for the benefit of the Christians who had been scattered from Jerusalem as a result of the persecutions under Herod Agrippa 1, which followed the death of Stephen. Josephus, the Jewish historian, said that James was martyred in the year 62 a.d. That would have been eight years before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 a.d.
James deals with the practical day-to-day need of these scattered Christians from the Jerusalem church. I think of it as being a “handbook” where the letters of Paul to the churches went into greater depth and detail for the churches that had by that time developed specific problems. Both, in perfect agreement, deal with the needs of the church of their greater acquaintance.
SWIFT TO HEAR - SLOW TO SPEAK
That means that we need to be good listeners, but not to jump into a conversation with our ideas until we are sure of them. One of my professors used to say, never say “I think.” No one wants to know what you think, but be positive about what you know to be true. We know God’s word is true, so, use the word of God, but if someone does not understand it as you, don’t get angry about it. You can not change a person with angry words.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(1 John 2:21, Acts 1:15, James 1:2, James 1:16, James 2:1, James 2:5, James 2:14, James 3:1, James 3:10, James 4:11, James 5:12, James 5:19, Proverbs10:19, Proverbs 17:27, Proverbs 16:32, Ecclesiastes 7:9)
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Angry words, won’t convict a person who does not want to believe something.
(Matthew 5:22, Ephesians 4:26)
BOLSTER YOUR THOUGHTS WITH THE WORD
I have seen many old church homes that have been bolstered physically
to keep them from crumbling. Likewise, let us “back up” our faith with the Word.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
One version says, “putting aside all filthiness, and all that remains of wickedness” of which the commentary compares this line as one would put aside all his dirty clothes and put on clean. That of course means we must put off our old sinful thoughts and ways, and replace them with clean and pure. The way to change a habit is to replace it with a new one. It does not work to stop sinning, if you don’t replace with other actions and thoughts.
BECOME DOERS OF THE WORD
The Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10) should never be replaced with self-centered activities. Hearing is good, but we are just fooling ourselves if we allow that to be our only commitment, faith is linked with action. Faith and works are twins that are always found together.
(Ephesians 4:22, 1 Peter 2:1, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Peter 1:22)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
(Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49, Romans 2:13, James 1:22-25, James 2:14-20)
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:
(1 Corinthians 13:12)
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.
(John 8:32, Romans 8:2, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 6:2, James 2:12, 1 Peter 2:16, John 13:7)
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR
NOVEMBER
20th. Sunday – Ezekiel 35, 36, James 3, Proverbs 28:1-14
21st. Monday – Ezekiel 37, 38, James 4. Psalm 130
22nd. Tuesday – Ezekiel 39-40:1-31 James 5, Psalm 131
23rd. Wednesday - Ezekiel 40:32-41:1-28, 1 Peter 1, Psalm 132
24th. Thursday - Ezekiel 42, 43, 1 Peter 2, Proverbs 28:15-28
25th. Friday - Ezekiel 44, 45, 1 Peter 3, Psalm 133
26th. Saturday - Ezekiel 46, 47, 1 Peter 4, Psalm 134
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 797 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
- James 3:24
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
Lines That Make You Smile
1. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
2. Wrinkled Was NOT One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up!
3. Procrastinate Now!
4. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
5. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
6. A journey of a thousand miles must, begin with a cash advance.
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
7. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
8. He who dies with the most toys, is nonetheless DEAD.
9. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
10. Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
THE URGENCY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Newsletter 269 November 13, 2011
Hebrews 6:1-8 King James Version
JESUS COMMANDED TEACHING DOCTRINE
In the great commission of our Lord Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16) The instruction and emphasis is “whatsoever I have commanded you.” The basic facts spoken of in these two references are basic to faithful Christianity.
In (Hebrews 6:1,) Paul calls them “the principles of the doctrine of Christ.” This is the reason that I edited a booklet of the scriptures presenting these and other basic doctrines, and titled it Christian Doctrines. With brief introductions, I put it together almost totally of scripture, as a workbook requiring the student to look each text up and complete the words I wanted to emphasize, in the spaces left for them. The final page had ten places for the addresses of friends. This worked beautifully in that requests simply rolled in, especially after I made it available in all the official languages of the country, and more from other countries. South Africa alone has eleven official languages and dialects.
These are basic doctrines, which explains why I was really shocked when a minister and customer in our book store made the statement, “Oh I never teach doctrines.” If that is so, what does he preach? These are the foundation. On the other hand there was the street evangelist, who taught his listeners the scriptures on baptism, and then brought 25 of them for me to baptize, with his assistance in the baptistery of our chapel.
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Philippians 3:13, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 5:14, Hebrews 9:14)
BASIC DOCTRINES
From these basic doctrinal scriptures, one can go on to study more deeply. At one time while our fellow missionary was still living, he made this booklet a requirement for new students in the minister’s training school he headed. This was particularly true if they came from another background. Some of the best ministers came with this introduction.
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (John 3:25, Acts 19:3, Acts 6:6, Acts 17:31)
3 And this will we do, if God permit. (Acts 18:21)
SECURITY IN THE FAITH
Scripture, correctly understood and taught, brings light into darkness. Once, one has learned of the scriptures, and received the Holy Spirit in baptism, (Acts 2:38) his life is enlightened, filled with light, and the promise of Heaven is his. Christ Jesus brings light, and shows the way to His Father God.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Hebrews 10:32, John 4:10, Ephesians 2:6, Galatians 3:2, Hebrews 2:4)
Regretfully, there will be those who let their light go out, they have “tasted the word of God,” but have not appreciated what they have been given nor of the “world to come.”
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (1 Peter 2:3, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 2:5)
Not realizing what they have been given, they fall away back into sin, and forfeit Heaven. They make the sacrifice of our Lord forfeit for the sake of the world.
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Matthew 19:26, Hebrews 10:26, 2 Peter 2:21, 1 John 5:16, Hebrews 10:29)
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: (2 Timothy 2:6)
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Genesis 3:17, Deuteronomy 29:22)
That one’s life can be either a blessing, or a curse, is illustrated here. The same portion of land can bear crops or thorns and briars. As a child, we lived on a small farm of small fields. Much good land was lost by those fences. One can till only so close to a fence or either side, and that is where we went to pick wild blackberries from the briars that grew there. Now, most of those are now gone and that space is farmed as well.
The doctrines of the Bible unite, but the doctrines of men divide. Don’t be like the minister who never taught doctrine, be like the one without benefit of a building, who taught truth, and reaped abundantly.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
NOVEMBER
13th. Sunday – Ezekiel 21, 22, Hebrews 11:1-22, Psalm 124
14th. Monday - Ezekiel 23, Hebrews 11:23-40, Psalm 125
15th. Tuesday – Ezekiel 24, 25, 26, Hebrews 12:1-11, Psalm 126
16th. Wednesday - Ezekiel 27, 28, Hebrews 12:12-29, Proverbs 27:21-27
17th. Thursday - Ezekiel 29, 30, Hebrews 13, Psalm 127
18th. Friday – Ezekiel 31, 32, James 1, Psalm 128
19th. Saturday - Ezekiel 33, 34, James 2, Psalm 129
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 798 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching,” Hebrews 10:24-25
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
I Wonder...
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are going dead?
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Hebrews 6:1-8 King James Version
JESUS COMMANDED TEACHING DOCTRINE
In the great commission of our Lord Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16) The instruction and emphasis is “whatsoever I have commanded you.” The basic facts spoken of in these two references are basic to faithful Christianity.
In (Hebrews 6:1,) Paul calls them “the principles of the doctrine of Christ.” This is the reason that I edited a booklet of the scriptures presenting these and other basic doctrines, and titled it Christian Doctrines. With brief introductions, I put it together almost totally of scripture, as a workbook requiring the student to look each text up and complete the words I wanted to emphasize, in the spaces left for them. The final page had ten places for the addresses of friends. This worked beautifully in that requests simply rolled in, especially after I made it available in all the official languages of the country, and more from other countries. South Africa alone has eleven official languages and dialects.
These are basic doctrines, which explains why I was really shocked when a minister and customer in our book store made the statement, “Oh I never teach doctrines.” If that is so, what does he preach? These are the foundation. On the other hand there was the street evangelist, who taught his listeners the scriptures on baptism, and then brought 25 of them for me to baptize, with his assistance in the baptistery of our chapel.
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Philippians 3:13, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 5:14, Hebrews 9:14)
BASIC DOCTRINES
From these basic doctrinal scriptures, one can go on to study more deeply. At one time while our fellow missionary was still living, he made this booklet a requirement for new students in the minister’s training school he headed. This was particularly true if they came from another background. Some of the best ministers came with this introduction.
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (John 3:25, Acts 19:3, Acts 6:6, Acts 17:31)
3 And this will we do, if God permit. (Acts 18:21)
SECURITY IN THE FAITH
Scripture, correctly understood and taught, brings light into darkness. Once, one has learned of the scriptures, and received the Holy Spirit in baptism, (Acts 2:38) his life is enlightened, filled with light, and the promise of Heaven is his. Christ Jesus brings light, and shows the way to His Father God.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Hebrews 10:32, John 4:10, Ephesians 2:6, Galatians 3:2, Hebrews 2:4)
Regretfully, there will be those who let their light go out, they have “tasted the word of God,” but have not appreciated what they have been given nor of the “world to come.”
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (1 Peter 2:3, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 2:5)
Not realizing what they have been given, they fall away back into sin, and forfeit Heaven. They make the sacrifice of our Lord forfeit for the sake of the world.
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Matthew 19:26, Hebrews 10:26, 2 Peter 2:21, 1 John 5:16, Hebrews 10:29)
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: (2 Timothy 2:6)
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Genesis 3:17, Deuteronomy 29:22)
That one’s life can be either a blessing, or a curse, is illustrated here. The same portion of land can bear crops or thorns and briars. As a child, we lived on a small farm of small fields. Much good land was lost by those fences. One can till only so close to a fence or either side, and that is where we went to pick wild blackberries from the briars that grew there. Now, most of those are now gone and that space is farmed as well.
The doctrines of the Bible unite, but the doctrines of men divide. Don’t be like the minister who never taught doctrine, be like the one without benefit of a building, who taught truth, and reaped abundantly.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
NOVEMBER
13th. Sunday – Ezekiel 21, 22, Hebrews 11:1-22, Psalm 124
14th. Monday - Ezekiel 23, Hebrews 11:23-40, Psalm 125
15th. Tuesday – Ezekiel 24, 25, 26, Hebrews 12:1-11, Psalm 126
16th. Wednesday - Ezekiel 27, 28, Hebrews 12:12-29, Proverbs 27:21-27
17th. Thursday - Ezekiel 29, 30, Hebrews 13, Psalm 127
18th. Friday – Ezekiel 31, 32, James 1, Psalm 128
19th. Saturday - Ezekiel 33, 34, James 2, Psalm 129
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 798 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching,” Hebrews 10:24-25
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
I Wonder...
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are going dead?
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
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