LearningaboutGod

The Book of James is a learning tool for all Christians. Dr Ralph, the commentary which you give on the various verses have been very informative. I found myself really re-evaluating a lot of things. I would recommend these studies for anyone that is striving to live for Christ. The lesson on Praying the Prayer of Faith was very interesting. We of course often say, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." The lesson takes on a new meaning about our relationship to our fellowman. Thanks

Reconciliation means we have become sons or daughters of God we have been joined together with him. We were reconciled when we confessed and believed.Our walk with Christ is a daily one. We must always stand on guard for the enemy. Jesus sits with the Father making intercessions for us to the Father.

It is important to recognize that Christ died for us as sinners because it makes us acknowledge that there was nothing we could do to save ourselves. While Satan is the accuser of the brethren if we keep the fact that Christ saved us at our worst it will keep us humble. We can never forget, less we begin to think more of ourselves than we should and therefore make the cross to non effect. I also believe that we will not become puffed up in pride. If he died for us as sinners he would not cast us away when we have become born again.

Perserverance produces what I will label staying power. It is only through trials that we become strong. Character is developed in each Christian so that we can be the light which Jesus asked us to be. Many unbelievers look at believers lives and oftentimes this is the first bible they have ever looked. Often when you try to minister to someone not in Christ, the first thing they tell you is about someone claiming to be a Christian who lives far worst than they do. This is an indication that the person referred to has not developed his or her character. Character is developed often through trials and tribulations. Hope is that nugget which all of us cling to. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evdence of things not seen. We have the faith as Christians that we will be counted righteous in the day of judgement.

Abraham was deemed righteous because he had faith that God would deliver his promises. He was made right (justified) beause of his belief that God would fulfill every promise. We are justified because of our faith in Jesus Christ. His blood was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Justification is our right standing before a Holy and Pure God. There was nothing we could do for ourselves, it was his dying on the cross for mankinds sins.

If faith alone could save us there would have been no need for Jesus to die on the cross. We can do nothing to earn our salvation yet we are saved to do good works. What would faith gain us without the gift of eternal life, this is free for all.

Demons believe that God exists, but the practicing Christian has given their life to Christ. The Christian believes in his or her heart that Jesus is Lord of all, that the Word of God is true, and all the promises of God will come to pass. The practicing Christian takes on the likeness of Christ. The non-practicing Christian evidently has not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are responsible certainly for those of the household of faith but it extends to all mankind. How can we love God whom we have not seen and have no love for our fellowman? We will surely face our neglect of the poor when we face God. We are indeed our brothers keepers. If Christians would truly practice this a lot of hurt and the hyprocrisy labeled at the church would go away.

Every man is given a measure of faith however it cannot grow unless it is exercised. We must act on what we believe from the Word of God, even when the results don't come when we expect them to. If we continue with the same measure, then we have not grown in our belief system. Abraham exercised his faith and was rewarded for it. If we never use it we have deemed the Word of God useless in our lives and threfore don't please God.

I try not to discriminate against anyone, however the Holy Spirit convicted me one Sunday morning that I was indeed falling into this sin. There was a lady who had come to the altar and she had a body odor that you could smell before you got close to her. My natural instinct was to back up but the Holy Spirit convicted me and let me know that if I could not show her compassion I didn't deserve to be at te altar. I immediately grabbed her, hugged her, prayed with her, and we both wept. This let me know that anyone can fall into this trap very easily. Thank god for the Holy Spirit. I believed that the church I had attended was one that accepted those who were downtrodden, however time and time again I saw that those who were well off were treated differently than those who had the least. Without saying I no longer belong to that church.

Trials within themselves cannot cure us of double-mindedness but if we study and meditate on the word of God it will show us the way out. IF we truly believe on the Lord Jesus we know that every Word in the scripture is true. God will be and do what we allow him to do in our lives. Our faith grows by us believing, then seeing God work in our lives as well as others. This does not mean everything is easy but we can endure all things through Jesus Christ. We must remember that everything belongs to God including us.

I believe it is easier to blame anyone but ourselves. God does not tempt us, this does not mean he does not allow us to be tempted. We are created with a free-will. Sinful people are also choosing to do what they do. If we were not allowed to choose good over evil would we have still be agents of free-will. I truly believe that we are drawn away by our own lusts whatever it may be. If thre was no darkness would we have a need for light?

Trials in my life have been many. The most trying I thought, was when 4 people who I really depended on died within a 6 month period. Satan thought he had me because I truly had trouble dealing with this. I often asked how could a God who loved me allowed this to happen. One night he brought to my remembrance when I was a little girl, I was kneeling on the ground drawing in the dirt and made the statement, "I wanted to die before any of my people." God showed me that he was the only one that I needed, it was like he said "Okay, where are they now?" From that minute to this I know without a doubt that as long as I have him I have everything.

The promise we as born again Christians are assured is when we ask God for wisdom he will grant it. He witholds no good thing from his children. We must have been transformed into a new mindset which places God's desires above our own. We must ask in faith for it is impossible to please him without it. Why should anyone ask God for something and believe they may not recieve it? This I believe, is a person that has not truly accepted God for who he is. Trials come to make us strong and to depend on God. Oftentimes we don't see the good when it's happening, but in our Christian walk we learn that he will enable us to endure each trial. We can look back and see that there was a lesson to be learned and we can learn to put every aspect of our life in God's hands. I have gone through many trials and tribulations, yet God has enabled me to see something good in everyone of them. This was not easy at first but I have learned to depend on God, to worship, and thank him even the more.

Hi my name is LearningaboutGod. This is very new to me but I am excited. I believe these lessons will very helpful in my ministry. I am 54 years old, been married for 36 years, have 6 grown children, and love the Lord.