James 1 (ESV)
5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
v. 6 ask in faith, with no doubting That's the implicit trust of a child to his Father. We have grown up too much in ourselves instead of our faith. We think so much for ourselves that we doubt the Almighty. We need that faith of a child. The faith that asks for bread and expects bread, not a stone; asks for fish and expects fish, not a snake (Matthew 7:9-11).
Our wavering must insult the Creator. We can't expect anything from Him if we are like that (v. 7).
Let's not be unstable. Let's be like the Lord Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Malachi 3:2-3 (ESV)
2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.
I've heard about "refiner's fire"; actually, there is a Wilds song about it. But I was reading this tonight and thinking about it.
We are the Levites. A holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). And His refining is our sanctification. So...is the "offerings in righteousness to the LORD" our "bodies a living and holy sacrifice" (Romans 12:1)?
I'm always concerned about context and pretext and no text. Is this reasonable application? I guess I need to do further study.
James 1:2-5 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
v. 2 Count it all joy This isn't a one time thing. It is a consistent joy, a joy that is a once-and-for-all attitude. Joy that God gives that is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
v. 4 let steadfastness (Or, endurance NASB) have its full effect This is a cause and effect relationship.
cause: steadfastness
effect: perfect and complete
v. 5 In the context of this verse, one who lacks wisdom asks God for wisdom facing trials. It is important to remember that. Even though, I am sure there is an application outside that. But it is interesting to note how often it is taken from the context so readily.
To ask for wisdom we have to realize that we are lacking (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). And the first step is clear Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.I've heard the Holy Spirit called the Comforter (KJV) and the Helper, (NASB) but I never knew the Greek word until my Pastor explained it this morning, and I read it in the notes in the NASB.
παρακλητος -- one called alongside to help.
My Pastor brought an encouraging message on "The Power of Praise" last night. He said the outline was borrowed. And although it is simple, it is something we ought to remember.
I think it was Dr. Berg who always told us, to change your emotional state (or how you're feeling, eg. anger --> calm; sadness --> joy), you have to change what you are thinking about. It's a focus problem. That's really what this means too. And as Christians we are supposed to be doing this; in fact, we of all people (we who are redeemed) should have praise on our lips and a song in our hearts.
The verse for today (verseoftheday.com) is 1 Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you."
So let's consider the great things God has done for us, and let's be encouraged in His great love for us!
Here's the outline and a few thoughts that I had from the message:
I actually was looking it up today when I noticed your comment, Stephanie. In the NASB it says "if the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace."
I would say that clarifies the verse. Plus, it isn't literally the house that is worthy but the household (cf. Matthew 10:11).
So Jesus is saying bless this household and house with peace because of their hospitality if they are worthy hosts.
The word "worthy" is axios in Greek, it also has the idea of "deserving" (cf. Luke 23:41; aslo see Romans 5:6 KJV "due time"; this is from the Textus Receptus axios kairos, other MS have kairos kairos, as I understand it, meaning "proper" or "right time").
Blessed are the peacemakers. What does that mean?
How can one become a peacemaker?
Matthew 5:9
Matthew 10:13
let your peace come on it
What does this mean? I am going to look into this.
Matthew 10:34
He brings war not peace
Mark 5:34
go in peace
How can we go in peace?
Mark 9:50
Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another
Among the church, one of our goals is to have peace with one another. Why are there so many divisions? Where is the peace of God in our churches?
The word "peace" is found 429 times in 400 verses in the King James translation of the Bible. This is a study of the words for peace in the Old and New Testament to help us understand what God says about peace. I have used Strong's Dictionary and the NASB, KJV, and NIV. I plan to cross reference with the LXX (Septuagint) sooner or later, too.
shalowm (or shalom)�it is found 236 times in 208 verses. It is the peace that men can have with each other; it is the peace that man can have with himself; it is the peace that man can have with God. It is the peace that God gives to man (Isaiah 26:3) or keeps from man (Isaiah 48:22). Sometimes it is translated abstractly concerning a person's health (e.g. Genesis 29:6 "Is he well?"). In the same way, it is translated as "welfare" (Genesis 43:27). It is translated, "greet" or "salute" (1 Samuel 10:4), for this was the custom of the Israelites. It is translated as "safe" (Job 21:9) or "safety" (Isaiah 41:3). It is translated as "prosperity" or "well-being" (Psalm 35:27). It is translated "rest" or "health" (Psalm 38:3). It is translated "familiar" or "close" in relationship to a friend (Psalm 41:9; aslo see Jeremiah 20:10 "All my trusted friends" [NASB] or "All my familiars" [KJV] or "All my friends" [NIV]; Jeremiah 38:22). It is used to describe God: "The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). It is translated "wholly" to emphasize that something is done completely (Jeremiah 13:19). The Lord has "plans for welfare" (NASB) or "thoughts of peace" (KJV) or "plans to prosper you" (NIV) (Jeremiah 29:11).
More words to come...
jmb
Here is the complete list of these occurrences for your study:
Genesis 15:15 (HG)
Genesis 26:29 (HG)
Genesis 26:31 (HG)
Genesis 28:21 (HG)
Genesis 29:6 (HG)
Genesis 37:4 (HG)
Genesis 37:14 (HG)
Genesis 41:16 (HG)
Genesis 43:23 (HG)
Genesis 43:27 (HG)
Genesis 43:28 (HG)
Genesis 44:17 (HG)
Exodus 4:18 (HG)
Exodus 18:7 (HG)
Exodus 18:23 (HG)
Leviticus 26:6 (HG)
Numbers 6:26 (HG)
Numbers 25:12 (HG)
Deuteronomy 2:26 (HG)
Deuteronomy 20:10 (HG)
Deuteronomy 20:11 (HG)
Deuteronomy 23:6 (HG)
Deuteronomy 29:19 (HG)
Joshua 9:15 (HG)
Joshua 10:21 (HG)
Judges 4:17 (HG)
Judges 6:23 (HG)
Judges 8:9 (HG)
Judges 11:13 (HG)
Judges 11:31 (HG)
Judges 18:6 (HG)
Judges 18:15 (HG)
Judges 19:20 (HG)
Judges 21:13 (HG)
1 Samuel 1:17 (HG)
1 Samuel 7:14 (HG)
1 Samuel 10:4 (HG)
1 Samuel 16:4 (HG)
1 Samuel 16:5 (HG)
1 Samuel 17:18 (HG)
1 Samuel 17:22 (HG)
1 Samuel 20:7 (HG)
1 Samuel 20:13 (HG)
1 Samuel 20:21 (HG)
1 Samuel 20:42 (HG)
1 Samuel 25:5 (HG)
1 Samuel 25:6 (HG)
1 Samuel 25:35 (HG)
1 Samuel 29:7 (HG)
1 Samuel 30:21 (HG)
2 Samuel 3:21 (HG)
2 Samuel 3:22 (HG)
2 Samuel 3:23 (HG)
2 Samuel 8:10 (HG)
2 Samuel 11:7 (HG)
2 Samuel 15:9 (HG)
2 Samuel 15:27 (HG)
2 Samuel 17:3 (HG)
2 Samuel 18:28 (HG)
2 Samuel 18:29 (HG)
2 Samuel 18:32 (HG)
2 Samuel 19:24 (HG)
2 Samuel 19:30 (HG)
2 Samuel 20:9 (HG)
1 Kings 2:5 (HG)
1 Kings 2:6 (HG)
1 Kings 2:13 (HG)
1 Kings 2:33 (HG)
1 Kings 4:24 (HG)
1 Kings 5:12 (HG)
1 Kings 20:18 (HG)
1 Kings 22:17 (HG)
1 Kings 22:27 (HG)
1 Kings 22:28 (HG)
2 Kings 4:23 (HG)
2 Kings 4:26 (HG)
2 Kings 5:19 (HG)
2 Kings 5:21 (HG)
2 Kings 5:22 (HG)
2 Kings 9:11 (HG)
2 Kings 9:17 (HG)
2 Kings 9:18 (HG)
2 Kings 9:19 (HG)
2 Kings 9:22 (HG)
2 Kings 9:31 (HG)
2 Kings 10:13 (HG)
2 Kings 20:19 (HG)
2 Kings 22:20 (HG)
1 Chronicles 12:17 (HG)
1 Chronicles 12:18 (HG)
1 Chronicles 18:10 (HG)
1 Chronicles 22:9 (HG)
2 Chronicles 15:5 (HG)
2 Chronicles 18:16 (HG)
2 Chronicles 18:26 (HG)
2 Chronicles 18:27 (HG)
2 Chronicles 19:1 (HG)
2 Chronicles 34:28 (HG)
Ezra 9:12 (HG)
Esther 2:11 (HG)
Esther 9:30 (HG)
Esther 10:3 (HG)
Job 5:24 (HG)
Job 15:21 (HG)
Job 21:9 (HG)
Job 25:2 (HG)
Psalms 4:8 (HG)
Psalms 28:3 (HG)
Psalms 29:11 (HG)
Psalms 34:14 (HG)
Psalms 35:20 (HG)
Psalms 35:27 (HG)
Psalms 37:11 (HG)
Psalms 37:37 (HG)
Psalms 38:3 (HG)
Psalms 41:9 (HG)
Psalms 55:18 (HG)
Psalms 55:20 (HG)
Psalms 69:22 (HG)
Psalms 72:3 (HG)
Psalms 72:7 (HG)
Psalms 73:3 (HG)
Psalms 85:8 (HG)
Psalms 85:10 (HG)
Psalms 119:165 (HG)
Psalms 120:6 (HG)
Psalms 120:7 (HG)
Psalms 122:6 (HG)
Psalms 122:7 (HG)
Psalms 122:8 (HG)
Psalms 125:5 (HG)
Psalms 128:6 (HG)
Psalms 147:14 (HG)
Proverbs 3:2 (HG)
Proverbs 3:17 (HG)
Proverbs 12:20 (HG)
Ecclesiastes 3:8 (HG)
Song of Songs 8:10 (HG)
Isaiah 9:6 (HG)
Isaiah 9:7 (HG)
Isaiah 26:3 (HG)
Isaiah 26:12 (HG)
Isaiah 27:5 (HG)
Isaiah 32:17 (HG)
Isaiah 32:18 (HG)
Isaiah 33:7 (HG)
Isaiah 38:17 (HG)
Isaiah 39:8 (HG)
Isaiah 41:3 (HG)
Isaiah 45:7 (HG)
Isaiah 48:18 (HG)
Isaiah 48:22 (HG)
Isaiah 52:7 (HG)
Isaiah 53:5 (HG)
Isaiah 54:10 (HG)
Isaiah 54:13 (HG)
Isaiah 55:12 (HG)
Isaiah 57:2 (HG)
Isaiah 57:19 (HG)
Isaiah 57:21 (HG)
Isaiah 59:8 (HG)
Isaiah 60:17 (HG)
Isaiah 66:12 (HG)
Jeremiah 4:10 (HG)
Jeremiah 6:14 (HG)
Jeremiah 8:11 (HG)
Jeremiah 8:15 (HG)
Jeremiah 9:8 (HG)
Jeremiah 12:5 (HG)
Jeremiah 12:12 (HG)
Jeremiah 13:19 (HG)
Jeremiah 14:13 (HG)
Jeremiah 14:19 (HG)
Jeremiah 15:5 (HG)
Jeremiah 16:5 (HG)
Jeremiah 20:10 (HG)
Jeremiah 23:17 (HG)
Jeremiah 25:37 (HG)
Jeremiah 28:9 (HG)
Jeremiah 29:7 (HG)
Jeremiah 29:11 (HG)
Jeremiah 30:5 (HG)
Jeremiah 33:6 (HG)
Jeremiah 33:9 (HG)
Jeremiah 34:5 (HG)
Jeremiah 38:4 (HG)
Jeremiah 38:22 (HG)
Jeremiah 43:12 (HG)
Lamentations 3:17 (HG)
Ezekiel 7:25 (HG)
Ezekiel 13:10 (HG)
Ezekiel 13:16 (HG)
Ezekiel 34:25 (HG)
Ezekiel 37:26 (HG)
Daniel 10:19 (HG)
Obadiah 1:7 (HG)
Micah 3:5 (HG)
Micah 5:5 (HG)
Nahum 1:15 (HG)
Haggai 2:9 (HG)
Zechariah 6:13 (HG)
Zechariah 8:10 (HG)
Zechariah 8:12 (HG)
Zechariah 8:16 (HG)
Zechariah 8:19 (HG)
Zechariah 9:10 (HG)
Malachi 2:5 (HG)
Malachi 2:6 (HG)