glory

FAITH BY ITSELF IS DEAD; IT NEEDS ACCOMPANYING ACTION OR WORKS TO BE ALIVE.THEREFORE IF SOMEONE STRAYS AND I'M ABLE TO HELP THAT PERSON SEE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST ONCE MORE. THEN THROUGH MY LIVING FAITH IN CHRIST I'M ABLE TO HELP SAVE HIS SOUL FROM DEATH .IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US AS CHRISTIANS TO WALK IN LOVE BECAUSE FAITH WORKS BY LOVE AND SO IN ORDER FOR ME TO HELP THE WANDERERS OR THE BACKSLIDDEN I HAVE TO HAVE AN ACTIVE LOVE WALK WITH THE LORD.I'M NOT SURE IF JAMES IS SPEAKING OF PHYSICAL DEATH OR ETERNAL DEATH, BUT THE GREATEST JOY I HAVE AS A CHRISTIAN ASIDE FROM A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH MY HEAVENLY FATHER IS TO SEE SOULS SAVED FROM SATAN'S GRASP AND BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT...GOD BLESS...

THE ROLE OF OIL IN THE HEALING PRAYER IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT . OIL WAS USED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT TO SANCTIFY OR SET SOMETHING APART UNTO GOD; TO MAKE IT HOLY UNTO GOD.IN THIS CASE, THE SICK PERSON BEING PRAYED FOR IS BEING SANCTIFIED UNTO GOD FOR HEALING. THE ROLE OF THE PRAYER OF FAITH IS TO PUT OUR COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD FOR HIS HEALING VIRTUE AND POWER TO FLOW UPON THE SICK AND BRING DIVINE HEALING SO THAT HE GETS ALL THE GLORY. THE FAITH TO BELIEVE COMES FROM GOD AND SO DOES THE HEALING. WE JUST HAVE TO BE YIELDED VESSELS UNTO GOD. THE ROLE OF FAITH IS NEEDED IN THE HEALING BECAUSE BY FAITH WE CALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT AS THOUGH THEY ARE.FAITH PLEASES GOD. WE HONOR GOD WHEN WE TELL HIM WE BELIEVE HE HAS ALREADY PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR HEALING BY HIS STRIPES ON CALVARY.FAITH IS AN ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FACTOR WHEN COMING TO GOD ON BEHALF OF THE SICK. CONFESSION OF SINS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE IT CAN HINDER THE FLOW OF GOD'S POWER IF THE PERSON BEING PRAYED FOR HAS SINS OF UNFORGIVENESS, HATRED, BITTERNESS, RESENTMENT..ETC IN THEIR HEARTS. IT'S NOT THAT GOD CANT STILL HEAL BUT HE CHOOSES NOT TO BECAUSE HE SAYS IN HIS WORD IF WE HARBOR GRUDGES AGAINST OTHERS , HE WILL NOT HEAR OUR PRAYERS....GOD BLESS....

I BELIEVE THE ELDER'S ROLE IN PRAYING FOR THE SICK IS TO PRAY AND SEEK GOD FIRST AS TO WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IN THE SITUATION...EG..SHOULD I GO LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND ANOINT WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF JESUS ?; IS THERE SOME SIN IN THIS PERSON'S LIFE THAT'S CAUSING PHYSICAL ILLNESS AND THUS NEEDS TO BE REPENTED OF? SEEK GOD FIRST FOR THE COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE AND THEN PRAY BOLDLY IN FAITH UNTO GOD ON THE PERSON'S BEHALF.. I BELIEVE THIS MINISTRY OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER SHOULD BE GIVEN TO MATURE BELIEVERS WHO ARE ABLE TO STAND IN THE GAP FOR THE SICK AND ARE ABLE TO DISCERN THE CAUSE OF THE ILLNESS THROUGH THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.SINCE SOME ILNESSES ARE PHYSICAL AND SOME CAN BE CAUSE BY EVIL SPIRITS OF INFIRMITY, ELDERS NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PRAY AND BIND THE ATTACKS OF SATAN AND LOOSE THE HEALING VIRTUE OF JESUS IN SOME INSTANCES.{NOT ALL INSTANCES, OF COURSE}. THAT'S WHY IN ADDITION TO LIVING A GOD FEARING LIFE OF OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD, THEY NEED KEEN DISCERNMENT AND A LOT OF PATIENCE....GOD BLESS....

IT SEEMS THAT THE SICK IS INITIATING PRAYER BY REACHING OUT IN FAITH TO CALL ON THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH TO PRAY FOR HIM.FAITH IS AN ACTION BECAUSE ALL THROUGT THE NEW TESTAMENT , THOSE WHO GOT HEALED TOOK SOME FORM OF ACTION BY COMING TO THE LORD BECAUSE THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT HIS MARVELOUS HEALING POWER. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE ALTHOUGH EVERY MAN HAS BEEN GIVEN A MEASURE OF FAITH, SOMETIMES WHEN WE'RE SICK IT'S DIFFICULT TO EXERCISE FAITH FOR OUR OWN SELVES AND THAT'S WHEN GOD USES THE FAITH OF OTHERS TO BRING HEALING TO US.EPHESIANS 2:8 TELLS ME THAT FAITH IS A GIFT FROM GOD AND NOT WE OURSELVES.SO THOSE WHO DO HAVE THE GOD KIND OF FAITH FOR HEALING IS SUPPOSED TO PRAY IN FAITH , BELIEVING FOR THE SICK TO BE HEALED.........GOD BLESS

MOST OF THE TIMES WHEN I GRUMBLE AND COMPLAIN IT'S BECAUSE I'M DISPLEASED WITH MY LIFE, SPOUSE, CHILD..ETC.IT SAYS TO ME THAT I'M NOT TRUSTING IN GOD'S ABILITY TO DELIVER ME OR IN HIS ABILITY TO CHANGE THE SITUATION. SO I'M NOT REJOICING OR GIVING THANKS IN THAT SITUATION BECAUSE I'M EITHER BLAMING GOD OR ANGRY AT HIM FOR ALLOWING THE CHALLENGES.MY FAITH HAS BEEN TESTED SO MANY TIMES NOW THAT I'M WILLING TO LET THE LORD LEAD ME.I FIND THAT WHEN I PRAISE AND WORSHIP HIM THROUGH THE TRIALS I'M ABLE TO MAINTAIN JOY DESPITE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE TRIALS.WHEN JOY COMES IN, COMPLAINING GOES OUT.!!! GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING SAYS THAT I'M PUTTING MY FAITH IN THE WRONG PLACE; WHICH IS IN MY OWN ABILITIES AND WHEN I CANT SEE THE WAY OUT I SOMETIMES PANIC BECAUSE I THINK IF I CANT FIX IT, HOW IS IT GOING TO BE FIXED.IT SHOWS I'M LACKING IN FAITH BECAUSE IF I EVER TRULY BELIEVED GOD AND TOOK HIM AT HIS WORD, I'D BE ABLE TO MOVE MOUNTAINS FOR HIS GLORY. GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING SHOWS LACK OF PATIENCE. THE BOOK OF ECCLESTIASES SAYS IN HIS TIMING HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL.I GOT SAVED AND BORN AGAIN IN HIS TIMING FOR ME; HE KNEW WHEN MY HEART WAS READY TO TURN TO HIM.SO LIKEWISE I KNOW IN HIS TIMING MY SPOUSE AND LOVED ONES WILL BE SAVED BECAUSE HE PROMISES TO SAVE THE HOUSEHOLD..ACTS 16:31.I DO GET IMPATIENT WHERE SALVATION IS CONCERNED BUT I KEEP HOLDING ON TO HIS PROMISES. I'M LEARNING PATIENCE.......GOD BLESS....

IF WE LACK THE PATIENCE TO EAGERLY EXPECT CHRIST'S RETURN THEN WE LOSE THE PASSION AND THE ZEAL THAT WE ONCE HAD FOR DOING THE THINGS OF GOD.MANY TIMES I HAVE BEEN IMPATIENT AND WANTED THE LORD TO RETURN NOW BUT THEN I'D THINK ABOUT MY UNSAVED FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS AND THE LOST SOULS AROUND THE WORLD AND I'D SAY TO THE LORD I'LL GLADLY WAIT.THIS IS WHEN I REALISE HOW VITAL PATIENCE IS. HE WAS VERY PATIENT WITH ME UNTIL I GOT SAVED IN MY THIRTIES. NOW I MUST BE PATIENT AND ALLOW HIM TO BRING THE REST OF HIS SHEEP INTO THE FOLD.......GOD BLESS....

I THINK THE SPIRITUAL DANGER OF OUR DEMAND FOR COMFORT AND LUXURY IS THAT WE CAN BECOME SIDETRACKED INTO THINKING WE'VE MADE IT OR WE'VE ARRIVED AS CHRISTIANS. WE CAN BECOME HIGHMINDED AND THINK THAT WE'RE BETTER THAN CHRISTIANS WHO ARE POOR.IN DOING SO,OUR CONNECTION IS WITH OUR WEALTH AND NOT RELIANCE ON GOD. BEFORE LONG, WEALTH CAN BECOME OUR GOD AND PROSPERITY BECOMES THE RULE BY WHICH WE MEASURE SUCCESS AS A CHRISTIAN. OUR DEMAND FOR LOW PRICED GOODS AND SERVICES CAN LEAD TO OPPRESSION AND CRUELTY TOWARD THOSE WHO WORK FOR US.SO MANY ARE PAID JUST THE MINIMUM WAGE TO DO A MULTITUDE OF TASKS ON THE JOB.PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE TODAY ARE TREATED POORLY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE LOW PRICES WE PAY. BUT IT IS SO VERY WRONG.I'D MUCH RATHER PAY HIGH PRICES OR DO WITHOUT WHEN I REALISE THE CRUELTY THESE LABORERS ENDURE HERE OR ABROAD.WE NEED TO REMEMBER THEY HAVE FAMILIES ALSO TO TAKE CARE OF AND THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS AND NOT MACHINES.TOO MANY MANUFACTURERS TODAY ARE GREEDY AND SELFISH. WE NEED TO WAIT ON GOD AND RELY ON HIM TO HELP US MEET ALL OUR NEEDS, BE IT FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE.WE WANT EVERYTHING RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. NOT SO , ACCORDING TO THE LORD.PATIENCE HAS TO BE WORKED IN US IN ORDER TO MATURE AS CHRISTIANS..GOD BLESS..

UNTIL I GOT SAVED ALMOST SEVEN YEARS AGO, I THOUGHT I CONTROLLED MY OWN DESTINY AND THAT I WAS IN CHARGE OF MAKING PLANS FOR MY LIFE.JAMES IS WARNING AGAINST THIS TYPE OF ARROGANCE AND PRESUMPTOUSNESS WHERE WE MAKE OUR OWN PLANS AND THEN ASK THE LORD TO BLESS IT.WE ARE ONLY HERE FOR A SHORT TIME ON THIS EARTH AND I BELIEVE HE'S SAYING TO US THAT WE SHOULD GET GOD'S PLAN AND APPROVAL FOR OUR LIVES INSTEAD OF TRYING TO DIRECT THINGS OUR OWN WAY.IN OTHER WORDS, TRADE OUR PLANS FOR HIS PLANS AND BE WILLING TO GIVE UP OUR OWN AGENDA TO DO HIS WILL. I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN I SEEK GOD FIRST FOR DIRECTIONS AND GUIDANCE BY COMING HUMBLY BEFORE HIM, THAT'S WHEN I'M BOLD AND CONFIDENT .TO BE HUMBLE IN MY PLANNING WITHOUT BEING INDECISIVE AND WISHY- WASHY IS FOR ME TO GO TO GOD FIRST, TAKE MY PLANS TO HIM AND ASK HIM IF THAT'S WHAT HE'S LEADING ME TO DO.I USUALLY HAVE PEACE ABOUT IT WHEN IT'S OF GOD. WHEN I'M DOING THINGS ON MY OWN, THAT'S WHEN I'M INDECISIVE BECAUSE I HAVE NO PEACE ABOUT IT AND END UP BEING MISERABLE OR FEELING FRUSTRATED.....GOD BLESS....

WHEN I BAD MOUTH SOMEONE I'M SETTING MYSELF UP AS JUDGE OVER THE SITUATION . I'M EXERCISING CONTROL AND BASICALLY SAYING THAT THE LAW ISNT CAPABLE OF HANDLING THIS SITUATION; THAT I CAN DO BETTER.IN OTHER WORDS I'M NOT TRUSTING GOD TO VINDICATE ME SO I TRY TO TAKE HIS PLACE AS JUDGE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I'M NOT WALKING IN LOVE BUT HARBORING RESENTMENT TOWARD OTHERS.GOD IS THE ONLY TRUE JUDGE AND I MUST SUBMIT THE SITUATION OVER TO HIM. FOR ME , IT'S TEMPTING TO BAD MOUTH OTHERS WHEN I'M HURT AND FEELING FRUSTRATED BY THEIR ACTIONS. IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER BUT THEN IT MAKES OTHERS LOOK WORSE.BAD MOUTHING OTHERS IS NOT KIND AND ONLY CONTINUES THE CYCLE OF HURT AND PAIN. I'M LEARNING TO CAST MY CARES ON THE LORD AND NOT ON OTHERS. I TRY INSTEAD TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HURT ME INSTEAD OF BAD MOUTHING THEM......GOD BLESS..

THE ACTIONS THAT JAMES TALKS ABOUT ARE VITAL BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LIVE AS CHRISTIANS...BY HUMBLING OURSELVES BEFORE GOD AND SUBMITTING TO HIM DAILY.THESE ACTIONS GO AGAINST OUR NATURE IN THAT WE SOMETIMES WANT TO DO THINGS OUR OWN WAY OR FOLLOW SOMEONE ELSE'S WAY INSTEAD OF DOING IT GOD'S WAY.WE CAN ALL BE PRIDEFUL AT TIMES IN THINKING OUR WISDOM IS JUST AS GOOD AS GOD'S OR EVEN BETTER IN DEALING WITH ADVERSITIES.BUT THE CHRIST CENTERED LIFE IS WHAT GOD IS CALLING US TO AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF HUMILITY AND DYING TO SELF. THE MOST DIFFICULT FOR ME IS SUBMITTING TO GOD. I USUALLY DO SUBMIT TO GOD AFTER I'VE TRIED THINGS MY WAY AND IT FAILED OR AFTER I'VE EXHAUSTED ALL OTHER OPTIONS. PATHETIC, ISN'T IT? I'VE LEARNT THE HARD WAY MANY TIMES DUE TO IGNORANCE OR REBELLION BUT I'M SO THANKFUL FOR HIS MERCY AND PATIENCE WITH ME....GOD BLESS...

JAMES REFERS TO CHURCH MEMBERS AS ADULTERESSES BECAUSE WE ARE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST . SPIRITUAL ADULTERY IS SEEKING THINGS AS OPPOSED TO SEEKING GOD. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST AND THEN ALL THE THINGS WE DESIRE SHALL BE ADDED UNTO US. ANY THING THAT TAKES FIRST PLACE IN MY HEART ASIDE FROM GOD IS AN IDOL AND THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD CAN BE TEMPTING TO MANY BUT THE CRUCIFIED LIFE IS WHAT BRINGS TRUE PLEASURE. THE AGGRIEVED HUSBAND IS JESUS CHRIST. FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS ENEMITY WITH GOD. THERE CAN BE NO MIXING OF CLEAN AND UNCLEAN. I'M REMINDED OF KING SOLOMON WHO HAD SO MUCH WISDOM FROM GOD AND YET IN HIS LATER YEARS TOOK MANY PAGAN WIVES WHO INFLUENCED HIM TO WORSHIP FALSE GODS.WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR MIND FOCUSED AND STAY ON ONE COURSE ONLY..THE LORD SAYS BE YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY.FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD AND HOLINESS DO NOT GO TOGETHER..GOD BLESS.......

GOD IS NOT AGAINST PLEASURE .HOWEVER IN GOD'S KINGDOM PLEASURE IS DEFINED DIFFERENTLY THAN IN THE WORLD'S SYSTEM.GOD HAS ALREADY MADE PROVISION FOR US, HIS CHILDREN WHO ARE SEEKING HIM FIRST..MT 6:33.THEREFORE WE DO NOT HAVE TO WAR AND FIGHT OR **** AFTER THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD.GOD HAS MADE COMPLETE PROVISIONS FOR US AND THEREFORE WE CAN REST IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED IF WE'RE PUTTING CHRIST FIRST IN OUR LIVES.TO DO THIS HOWEVER, WE CANT BE SELFISH BUT WE HAVE TO GIVE UP THE CARNAL LIFESTYLE AND CRUCIFY THE FLESH DAILY.WE CAN LIVE TO INCREASE OUR OWN PLEASURES BUT I THINK IT'S THE MOST MISERABLE LIFE SERVING MYSELF ALL THE TIME....GOD BLESS.......

I BELIEVE WE CAN USE LOVE, WISDOM FROM ABOVE AND THE WORDS OF OUR MOUTH TO SOW PEACE INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS.IF WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WE CAN HAVE PEACE IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS DAILY INSTEAD OF STRIFE AND CONFUSION. THIS PRODUCES A RIPENING CROP OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE WE ARE DOING IT OF OF LOVE AND NOT SELFISHNESS. WE ARE CHOOSING TO WAIT ON GOD FOR HIS WISDOM WHICH IS PURE, PEACEABLE, GENTLE, FULL OF MERCY AND WITHOUT HYPOCRISY.WE'RE USING GOD'S INSIGHT AND NOT OURS. THIS CROP GROWS IN US AND THOSE AROUND US ARE INFLUENCED BT IT........GOD BLESS....

CHRIST HAD ALL AUTHORITY WHEN HE WALKED THE EARTH YET HE REMAINED THE MOST HUMBLE, NOT EXALTING HIMSELF OR BOASTING OF THE FACT THAT HE'S GOD .HE NEVER COUNTED HIMSELF BETTER THAN OTHERS BUT RATHER SERVED OTHERS, EVEN THOSE WHO HATED HIM. NOW THAT'S TRUE HUMILITY WHEN YOU CAN STILL SERVE YOUR ENEMIES!!!!.THIS IS THE DIRECT OPPOSITE OF THE SELF- LIFE WHERE I EXIST FOR MYSELF, MY AMBITIONS, MY PURPOSES.WHEN IT'S ALL ABOUT ME I END UP ENVYING THOSE WHO HAVE MORE OR DO BETTER THAN ME, BUT WHEN IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM I'M NOT COMPETING WITH OTHERS ANY MORE BUT SERVING THEM WITHOUT CONSIDRERING THE BENEFITS TO ME. IF I DENY ENVY AND SELFISH AMBITION WHEN I KNOW I SHOULD CONFESS MY FAULTS TO THE LORD AND ASK HIS FORGIVENESS, THEN I'M DECEIVING MYSELF AND THEREFORE NO HEALING CAN COME TO MY HEART. THE LORD CAN ONLY HEAL THE AREAS OF MY LIFE THAT I SURRENDER TO HIM. HE NEVER FORCES ANYONE BUT WAITS UNTIL THEY'RE READY TO ADMIT THEY NEED HELP. BOASTING ABOUT ANTHING WHICH IS PRIDEFULNESS KEEPS GOD AWAY BECAUSE GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.BOASTING ABOUT SELF IS PUTTING ME FIRST WHEN GOD SHOULD BE FIRST ALWAYS.BUT IF I HUMBLE MYSELF BEFORE GOD HE WILL HEAL ME OF SELFISHNESS AND ENVY SO I'M NO LONGER EXERCISING GODSHIP OVER MY OWN LIFE.....GOD BLESS.........

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS SAYS AS A MAN THINKETH IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE OR SO HE WILL BECOME.OUR THOUGHT LIFE NOT ONLY SHAPES OUR LIVES BUT ALSO OUR WORDS FOR OUT OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS. IF I'M THINKING NEGATIVELY I END UP SPEAKING NEGATIVE THINGS.IF I THINK POSITIVELY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS I SPEAK POSITIVE THINGS.IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS TONGUE CAN ONLY BE TAMED TO SAY THE RIGHT THINGS IF THE HEART IS PURE AND CLEAN.AND THAT IS WHERE THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES IN. HE IS OUR HELPER; ONE CALLED ALONGSIDE US TO HELP BRIDLE THE TONGUE.FOR IN MY OWN SELF DWELLS NOTHING GOOD BUT MANY TIMES I'VE HAD TO ASK THE LORD TO PUT A GUARD ON ON MY MOUTH SO THAT I'LL SAY THINGS THAT ENCOURAGE AND BUILD OTHERS INSTEAD OF TEARING THEM DOWN AND HE HAS ALWAYSDONE SO AND I GIVE HIM THE GLORY.

TEACHERS HAVE A HEAVIER RESPONSIBILITY THAN THE CHURCH MEMBERS AND THEREFORE JAMES IS GIVING A WORD OF CAUTION TO ASPIRING TEACHERS. TEACHERS ARE ABLE TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE AND DESTINY OF THOSE WHOM THEY'RE TEACHING,BUT IF THEY'RE NOT STUDYING THE WORD AND ASKING THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE TO TEACH THEN THEY CAN EASILY LEAD BELIEVERS ASTRAY.SO MANY TIMES I HEAR SCRIPTURES BEING EXPLAINED BY TEACHERS AND SOMETIMES IT'S SO CONTRADICTORY THAT I END UP GETTING CONFUSED AND HAVING TO GO TO THE LORD FOR MYSELF AND SEEK HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCRIPTURE. GREATER STRICTNESS IS APPROPRIATE WHERE TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTIBILITY ARE MUCH HEAVIER . THEREFORE THEY SHOULD BE SETTING GOOD EXAMPLES BY THEIR CONDUCT AND LIFESTYLE HABITS SO THAT OTHERS CAN HAVE A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW. I HAVE SET VERY HIGH STANDARDS FOR MYSELF BUT HAVE MADE MANY MISTAKES AND HAVE HAD TO REPENT AND ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS.SO EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SET HIGH STANDARDS FOR MY PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY I NEVER PUT THEM ON A PEDESTAL BECAUSETHEY'RE HUMAN AND LIABLE TO MAKE MISTAKES AT TIMES.GOD BLESS.........

PAUL SAYS WE'RE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH AND NOT OUR OWN WORKS WHILE JAMES SAYS FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.CLEARLY TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORKS.ACCORDING TO PAUL, NO MATTER HOW MUCH OF GOOD WORKS I DO, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE OR UNMERITED FAVOR THAT I WAS SAVED.SO MY SALVATION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME BEING A GOOD PERSON WHO DID GOOD WORKS AND LOOKED GOOD ON THE SURFACE. IT WAS THE DIVINE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF GOD IN MY LIFE AND MY HEART THAT BROUGHT ME TO CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOUR. NOW, BECAUSE THE LORD HAS TRANSFORMED ME AND PUT HIS SPIRIT WITHIN ME,IT'S NOW I WANT TO DO GOOD WORKS THAT JAMES TALKS ABOUT. THIS TYPE OF WORKS COMES FROM THE FAITH THAT'S IN MY HEART. WHEN FAITH IS ALIVE YOU WANT TO GO OUT THERE AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS UNLESS YOU HAVE DEAD FAITH .SO JAMES IS SAYING THE SAME THING AS PAUL. YOU CANT WORK FOR SALVATION OR EARN IT IN ANY WAY; CHRIST ALREADY DID THE WORK FOR US ON THE TREE. BUT NOW, BECAUSE HE HAS DONE SO AND FAITH NOW LIVES IN MY HEART, I DESIRE TO DO MIGHTY WORKS FOR HIS KINGDOM TO THE HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER IN HEAVEN....GOD BLESS...

I THINK DEMONS INTELLECTUALLY AGREE THERE IS A GOD AND HIS NAME IS JESUS; THAT'S WHY THE BIBLE SAYS THEY ALL BOW TO THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. WHETHER THEY CARE TO BELIEVE OR NOT, WHEN WE CALL ON THAT NAME IN FAITH THEY HAVE TO FLEE BECAUSE ALL AUTHORITY AGAINST THE ENEMY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US.WE BELIEVE AND THUS WE CLING TO TLE LORD AND TRUST AND RELY UPON HIM FOR EVERYTHING WHILE THEY RUN IN FEAR BECAUSE THEY ARE DESTINED TO ETERNAL DAMNATION BY CHOOSING TO FOLLOW SATAN RATHER THAN THE LORD JESUS. I THINK NON- PRACTICING CHRISTIANS HAVE NEVER TRULY SURRENDERED THEIR LIVES TO GOD. THEY MAY SAY THEY DO BECAUSE THEY MIGHT GO TO CHURCH AND READ THE WORD AT TIMES BUT DONT HAVE A DAILY RELATIONSHIP WITH A LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER; IT'S ALL RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND MAY LOOK GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE BUT GOD SEES THE HEART AND THE TRUE MOTIVES OF SUCH PEOPLE..I KNOW SOMEONE LIKE THIS BUT I DONT SEE THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN HER LIFE OR ACTION BEING EXTENDED TOWARD HELPING OTHERS IN LOVE....I GUESS WE NEED TO PRAY FOR THEM TO BE FREE FROM RELIGIOUS SPIRITS....GOD BLESS....

I BELIEVE WE'RE RESPONSIBLE TO HELP THE POOR AND THE NEEDY NOT JUST IN OUR CHURCH BUT IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. IF WE CANT PERSONALLY MEET A FINANCIAL NEED THEN WE CAN AT LEAST PRAY THAT GOD WOULD SEND OTHERS TO HELP MEET THE PERSON'S NEED.I LOVE TO HELP OTHERS BUT LATELY I'D BEEN WONDERING IF SOME PEOPLE HAD TRUE NEEDS OR JUST LYING IN ORDER TO USE THE GIFTS FOR THEIR OWN SELFISH PURPOSES. WE TRAVEL A LOT AND SOMETIMES AT THE HOTEL I RUN INTO HOUSEKEEPERS WITH A LOT OF NEEDS. I'M VERY FRIENDLY AND TRY TO BE COMPASSIONATE TO THEIR NEEDS, BUT SOMETIMES I THINK THEY BELIEVE I MAY BE WEALTHY AND TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION BY LYING ABOUT NEEDS THAT MAY BE FALSE. SINCE I WANT TO KEEP MY HEART OF COMPASSION OPEN, I CONTINUE TO HELP BUT PLEASE PRAY FOR ME...THAT TLE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD LEAD AND GUIDE ME WITH HIS WISDOM.. GOD BLESS........

FAITH IS A GIFT FROM GOD. BUT FAITH NEEDS ACTION IN ORDER TO STAY ALIVE.GOD SAYS WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM.I BELIEVE IN ORDER TO PLEASE GOD WE HAVE TO PUT SOME FEET TO OUR FAITH.IN OTHER WORDS DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN GO TO CHURCH AND RECITE BIBLE VERSES.EVERYWHERS JESUS WENT HE PUT HIS FAITH INTO ACTION BY DOING FOR OTHERS...FEEDING THE MULTITUDES, HEALING THE SICK, GIVING OF HIS TIME AND HIS LIFE TO OTHERS. OUR FAITH HAS TO BE LIKE HIS...SACRIFICIAL, OTHERWISE WE'RE JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN BUT THE HEART IS STILL BEING DECEIVED.WE CHRISTIANS MUST REACH OUT TO THOSE IN OUR PATHWAY WHO ARE IN NEED IN ORDER THAT FAITH WILL CONTINUE TO BE ALIVE IN US. WE NEED LIVING FAITH. FAITH MAY LOOK ALIVE IN SOMEONE WHO GOES TO CHURCH REGULARLY, READ THE BIBLE, ETC..BUT WITHOUT ACCOMPANYING ACTIONS OF REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY IT IS DEAD FAITH BECAUSE IT'S ONLY SURFACE CHRISTIANITY...GOD BLESS..

I THINK THAT WHEN I SHOW PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO THE RICH I'M ACTING AS JUDGE WITH EVIL MOTIVES .I'M EXTENDING FAVOR TO THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR POSSESSIONS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME IGNORING THE POOR BECAUSE OF THEIR STATUS.GOD IS COMPASSIONATE TO ALL; HE'S GRACIOUS AND FORGIVING TO ALL.WHEN I DISCRIMINATE, I'M BEING JUDGEMENTAL FROM AN UNCOMPASSIONATE HEART.I'M NOT EXTENDING MERCY TO THE RICH OR POOR WHEN I ACT LIKE THIS...I'M ACTUALLY BEING SELFISH AND DENYING MERCY TO ALL INVOLVED.THE LORD IS MORE INTERESTED IN ME HAVING A LOYAL HEART THAN A PREJUDICED ONE.THE LORD IS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE STATE OF THE HEART THAN WEALTH OR RICHES. I THINK THE CROSS IS AN EXAMPLE OF MERCY TRIUMPHING OVER JUDGEMENT.CHRIST SHOWED MERCY TO ME ON THE CROSS BY ATONING FOR MY SINS ,THUS I MUST ALSO EXTEND MERCY TOWARD OTHERS EVEN IF THEY DONT DESERVE IT. I MUST BE COMPASSIONATE INSTEAD OF JUDGEMENTAL BECAUSE IF I DONT SHOW MERCY I WONT RECEIVE MERCY. JESUS SAID THAT HE DESIRES COMPASSION, NOT SACRIFICE.I BELIEVE THIS MEANS THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE GIVE OF OUR TIME, MONEY AND OF OURSELVES, IF THERE'S NO COMPASSION IN THE HEART IT'S MEANINGLESS.IT'S JUST A BUNCH OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES.HE DELIGHTS IN MERCY; I BELIEVE HE DELIGHTS IN US AS WELL WHEN WE EXTEND MERCY.I AM TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON HIS MERCY DAILY......GOD BLESS.

JAMES REFERS TO THE GREAT COMMANDMENT AS THE ROYAL LAW BECAUSE ALL THE OTHER LAWS HINGES ON THIS PARTICULAR LAW... WHICH IS TO LOVE GOD FIRST AND THEN TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.THIS IS REFERRING TO CHRIST- LIKE LOVE TOWARD OTHERS, AGAPPE LOVE WHICH IS SELF- GIVING AND VERY REWARDING SINCE IT'S MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE.IF WE KEEP THIS LAW , WHICH IS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL THE OTHER LAWS, THEN WE WILL TREAT OTHERS EQUALLY. BUT WITHOUT KEEPING THE LAW OF LOVE, WE ARE COMMITTING SIN . THIS LAW OF LOVING OTHERS MORE THAN YOURSELF IS MORE ROYAL THAN MOSAIC LAW BECAUSE THIS LAW WAS FULFILLED BY JESUS HIMSELF WHEN HE MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION AND GAVE HIS LIFE SACRICIALLY BECAUSE HE LOVES US SO MUCH.SINCE HE DIDNT SHOW PARTIALITY ON THE CROSS, WE SHOULDNT EITHER. SHOWING FAVORITISM TOWARDS THE RICH BREAKS THE ROYAL LAW BECAUSE I'M NOT OPERATING IN CHRIST- LIKE LOVE ANY MORE BUT ACCORDING TO WORDLY STANDARDS. IN OTHER WORDS I'M IN THE FLESH AND NOT WALKING IN THE SPIRIT.SO I'M BREAKING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS BY PUTTING MORE VALUE ON THE WEALTHY.I'M REALLY BEING SELFISH INSTEAD OF SELFLESS. I'M BREAKING THE ROYAL LAW IN REGARD TO THE POOR PERSON BECAUSE I'M BEING PREJUDICED AND SHOWING PARTIALITY WHICH IS SIN.I'M SAYING TO THE POOR YOU DONT HAVE AS MUCH VALUE OR WORTH AS THE RICH BECAUSE YOU DONT POSSESS MATERIAL STUFF.SO I'M JUDGING PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR WEALTH AND NOT LOOKING AT THE HEART. NO WONDER JESUS LOOKS AT THE HEART AND NOT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE......GOD BLESS...

I BELIEVE THAT WHEN I SHOW FAVORITISM I'M JUDGING PEOPLE ACCORDING TO MY OWN STANDARDS THAT I HAVE SET FOR THEM. IN OTHER WORDS I'M PLAYING GOD, I'M WALKING AFTER THE FLESH AND I'M NOT CONSIDERING WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY ABOUT PEOPLE. I'M NOT LOOKING AT PEOPLE EQUALLY AND SHOWING LOVE AND KINDNESS TO ALL; JUST SOME. I NEED TO CONSTANTLY REMIND MYSELF THAT HE DIED FOR US ALL.THIS IS AN AREA I NEED TO CONSTANTLY TAKE BEFORE THE LORD. I DO DESIRE TO WALK IN LOVE TOWARD ALL PEOPLE DESPITE THEIR BACKGROUND BUT I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DO SO IN THE PAST WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. FAVORITISM MAKES ME A JUDGE WITH EVIL THOUGHTS BECAUSE I'M BEING SELFISH AND SELF- RIGHTEOUS , LIKE THE PHARISEES. I'M BEING HYPOCRITICAL WHEN I LOVE FELLOWSHIPPING WITH THE RICH AND SCORN THE POOR.I'M BEING RELIGIOUS BECAUSE I WANT PEOPLE TO FOLLOW MY SET OF RULES AND NOT WALK IN GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS.I'M REALLY JUST WALKING IN THE FLESH WHICH STINKS ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD.NO WONDER PAUL THE APOSTLE SAID WE MUST DIE DAILY; CRUCIFY THE FLESH DAILY....HELP ME LORD JESUS......GOD BLESS..... P.S. A VERY TINY PART OF MY ANSWER CAME FROM AN ARTICLE SENT TO ME ON" GODSHIP".

I THINK FOR MOST OF MY LIFE I'VE BEEN OFFENDED AT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CLASS, COLOR, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND,RACE, ETC. I'M NOT PROUD TO ADMIT THAT ,BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I'M NOW LEARNING HOW TO TRULY WALK IN LOVE TOWARD THE POOR, THE DIRTY, THE RICH AND THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF PEOPLE I MEET DAILY.I' VE ALWAYS LOVED MAKING FRIENDS, TALKING WITH PEOPLE, GETTING TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR CULTURE AND BEING FRIENDLY AND OPEN WITH THEM , BUT SOMETIMES BENEATH THE SURFACE I TEND TO GET EASILY OFFENDED AT THEIR WAYS WHEN IT DIFFERS FROM MINE.I GUESS I'VE BEEN SELFISH AND ALSO THOUGHT EVERYONE SHOULD DO THINGS IN A CERTAIN MANNER JUST LIKE ME, WHICH IS NOTHING BUT PRIDEFULNESS. MY PRAYER HAS BEEN THAT THE LORD WILL BREAK THE SPIRIT OF PRIDE AND SHOW ME HOW TO WALK IN TRUE HUMILITY. THE CHURCH I GO TO DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TRYING TO IMPRESS ANYONE . THEY ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD THE SERVICE WHICH IS AWESOME. FOR MYSELF, I USED TO TRY TO IMPRESS PEOPLE WITH MY CHRISTIANITY BUT THROUGH CIRCUMSTANCES IN MY LIFE I'M NOW FINALLY WANTING TO PLEASE MY HEAVENLY FATHER MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.WHAT A BURDEN HAS BEEN LIFTED FROM ME, PRAISE GOD.!!!! THANK GOD FOR HIS PATIENCE TOWARD ME AND HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.IF GOD LOVED ME THE WAY I LOVE SOME PEOPLE, I'D BE IN TROUBLE...PLEASE PRAY FOR ME....GOD BLESS........

LOVE IS NOT JUST A WORD, LOVE IS AN ACTION . LOVE IS GIVING SACRIFICIALLY OF YOURSELF .THE BIBLE SAYS GOD SO LOVE THIS WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON...HE LOVED THE WORLD SO HE GAVE...LOVE GIVES...THAT'S WHY WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF THE POOR, THE ORPHANS AND THE WIDOW AND TO SPEAK KIND WORDS TO ALL.IT'S VERY HARD FOR ME TO CONVINCE ANYONE I'M A TRUE CHRISTIAN IF I AM CONSTANTLY PUTTING DOWN OTHERS BY BELITTLING OR CRITICISING THEM.IF CHRIST IS TRULY LIVING IN MY HEART I WILL BEAR GOOD FRUIT.FOR OUT OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS.SO I MUST GIVE KINDNESS TO ALL AROUND ME BY MY ACTIONS AND THE WORDS OF MY TONGUE. I AM TRULY ENJOYING THIS BIBLE STUDY CAUSE I'M MORE AWARE NOW OF MY SHORTCOMINGS. I STRUGGLE WITH MY LOVE WALK AND DAILY HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HELP ME KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT AND ALLOW HIM TO KEEP A GUARD ON MY TONGUE. I REALISE THAT I CAN MINISTER LIFE OR DEATH TO A PERSON BY THE WORDS I SPEAK SO I'M TRULY WANTING TO CHANGE THE WAY I SPEAK TO OTHERS.I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE GOD IN MY ACTIONS, NOT JUST IN MY PRAISE AND WORSHIP. QUIET TIME AND WORSHIPPING THE LORD IS NECESSARY, BUT IF AFTER I'VE SPENT HOURS IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD I NEGLECT THOSE AROUND ME AND SPEAK UNKINDLY ALL THE TIME, HOW IS MY FAITH IN CHRIST EVER GOING TO HELP ME WIN THE LOST AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS? PLEASE PRAY FOR ME.GOD BLESS.....