James Introduction (P1)

Have you ever asked your teenage child a question and then listened to him/her talk for a good 30 minutes and tell you absolutely nothing?    Has your spouse ever thought he/she told you something but the message was so veiled you had no idea what was being said?  Has a friend ever told you what you wanted to hear ... instead of telling you what was true?  Have you ever been the one to communicated in these ways?  I am guilty ... on both ends - the giving and the receiving.  And I don't like it.

I love working with people that say what they mean.  I don't have to second guess their comments or intentions.  The communication is straight and clear.  Of course we know straight, plain talk is no excuse for rude, hurtful talk.  Paul is clear in his admonition to believers in Ephesians 4:25, 29:

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor ... Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  

As we approach the book of James, we will be listening to communication that is straight, plain, practical and for our good.  Beth Moore says in her study of James, "We are going to love this book if we can stand it!"

The author whose name is on the book, James, was the brother of Jesus, not the apostle.  The actual, same family, same household brother of our Lord.  Do you ever wonder what that was like - growing up in Jesus' family?  Families are messy - and we have no reason to think that Mary and Joseph's household was not messy as well.  From Matthew 13: 55 - 56 we find that Jesus had 4 brothers, names are listed, James is listed first, and sisters.  As befits that society ... girls' names are not mentioned so we don't know how many of them there were.  But this represents a house full of kids!  It was not a family of means.  Nazareth was a poor village.  Nazareth was small-town.

The little bit of information we can glean from scripture about James is that he made a remarkable journey in a few short years.  He moved from being an unbeliever (John 7:5) to a leader of the church, the believers, in Jerusalem (Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19, 2:9)  Was it his brother's teachings that convinced him?  Was it witnessing some miracles?  Was it the resurrection?  We don't know the details of the when and why and how ... but the conversion happened ... James, the physical brother of our Lord, became James, the spiritual brother of his Lord.

One point to remember as we begin this journey ... James did not loose his Jewishness.  He was still fully Jewish ... and fully Christian.  It seems he had no time to mince words ... he got right at it as he wrote to Jewish believers all over the known world at that time.

Let's do the same ... let's get right to it.  Your assignment before you come back here?  Read the book of James ... straight through.  Read as if you received it as a letter ... not as a document to study.  Just get the "feel" for it

And may God bless our journey!

Philippians - Conclusion

Paul closes his letter with "greetings" to his friends in the Lord.  (Philippians 4:21)

I don't want us to blow past that word too fast.  Most of us only know our own culture and language and it shapes the way we read and think.  Now for us ... the word "greet" often means no more than to speak to.  In fact, can you follow this scenario?

Person 1:  Hello.  How are you?
Person 2:  Fine, thank you.  And you?
Person 1:  Just fine.

And that is called a greeting.

The Greek word that Paul uses is aspazomai.  It means more than we generally think about when we hear the English word.  Consider the nuances associated with the word aspazomai:

• to draw to one's self
• to salute
• to bid welcome
• to wish well
• to receive joyfully  

Paul wanted all the Philippian church to receive his heartfelt "greetings."
I find myself wanting to "greet" each of you reading this!

As we close our study ... consider what we have learned from each of these chapters:

1. From Chapter 1 ... we learned the importance of the "single mind".  We cannot afford to have split focus and a divided heart.  Paul emphasizes his own single mind and challenges us to copy him.
2. From Chapter 2 ... we learned the importance of the "submissive mind."  Paul painted a beautiful picture of Jesus Himself ... God in flesh ... and the way He chose submission.  Paul challenges us to copy Him.
3. From Chapter 3 ... we learned the importance of the "spiritual mind."  Our salvation and position with God is a gift from Him and comes through faith.  Paul then challenges us to live like it.  Live like people saved by grace.  Make it practical and visible.  
4. From Chapter 4 ... we learned the importance of the "secure mind."  Anxiety and discontent can truly be put to rest.  And we can rest securely in the arms of our Lord.  

So ... I want to offer you the words of Paul ... 

To our God and Father

be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

be with your spirit.  

Amen.

Philippians - Contentment, Part 2 (Lesson 7, Post 4)

Philippians 4: 10 - 20

continued from Lesson 7, Post 3

I see another thing in these verses that helps us with the heart disease of discontent.  Paul commended the Philippian believers for being generous toward him.  He wanted them to know that he did not "need" their gifts, but he was grateful to them for the gifts.  What I find most interesting is the reason why Paul was grateful - and it had nothing to do with him.

He loved these people.  He loved that church.  And Paul knew that being generous was good tonic for their own hearts.  He knew that giving was medication for the disease of discontent.

Warren Wiersbe says,

"Paul thanks the Philippians for their gifts and assures them that the spiritual meaning of their gifts is far more important to him than the gifts themselves.  What a blessing it is to know that our gifts are looked upon as spiritual sacrifices to the Lord that rejoice His heart!"

Do you find yourself struggling with a spirit of discontent?  Try giving.  Practice generosity.  Look for ways to give ... of yourself, of your money, of your time, of your talent ... give it away ... expecting nothing in return.

Begin to make lists ... ways that you can be a "giver" today.  This is just between you and God.  He will put creative ideas into your mind.  Post some of your ideas about being a "giver" on this site.  Let's begin a collection of ways to give.  Of course, money is the most obvious.  And it is so important for each of us to give of our money.  We must learn to "release" our grip.  We act as if the money actually belongs to us!  The amount is not as important as the act.  And then start getting creative.  How about "giving" that close parking space at WalMart to the car behind you?  How about  giving the car that is trying to get into the traffic flow a spot in front of you?  How about giving a neighbor a plate of homemade cookies ... for no reason at all?  Can you think of other ways to intentionally practice the art of giving so that your own heart is vaccinated against the disease of discontent?

Reflect on the following wisdom from God ... and ask yourself, 'Do I believe Him?'

Proverbs 18:16

"A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great."

2 Corinthians 9: 7 - 11

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ... your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

One commentator has said, "God is the source of everything good.  Believers are called to be generous because of the example of the Lord of life.  A stingy Christian should be an extinct species.  Generosity proves that person's heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant spirit of Jesus Himself.  That is why acts of generosity result in God being praised."

Our homework?  Practice generosity ... every day!  It is part of the road to contentment.

Philippians - Contentment, Part 1 (Lesson 7 - Post 3)

Philippians 4: 10 - 20

In the first half of Chapter 4, Paul addresses the problem of anxiety - that perennial human problem that plaques our minds and robs us of peace and rest.  In Posts 1 and 2 of this lesson, we considered those instructions from Paul.  It is important for us to remember that they are indeed 'instructions' ... not thoughts or ideas or possibilities ... instructions for the believer.

Today, as we consider the second half of this final chapter, Paul addresses the problem of discontent - another perennial human problem.  And a problem that I believe is exacerbated in western culture.  Who can deny that those of us who live in the United States are bombarded on a regular basis with the message of more and bigger and better and newer.  You are not thin enough or rich enough or smart enough or good enough or important enough or anything enough.  We are encouraged to live in a constant state of discontent with self, with life, with relationships, with organizations. Now there is a sense in which discontent can be a catalyst for needed change.  Paul uses that sense of the word when talking about constant striving for more of Christ, for being more like Christ.  But that is not the sort of discontent Paul addresses here.

When he says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (4:12), he was speaking to the physical circumstances of life - plenty or need, much or little.  He had 'learned' to be at rest in his own spirit in regard to physical things.  That means it is a learn-able skill!  That means you and I can learn it ... if we want to.

Thomas Benton Brooks said, "He who is not contented with little will never be satisfied with much."   There is nothing more unattractive than a person who can never be satisfied!

Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) says,

"Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said, 'I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.'"

That was the confidence that Paul radiated in his statement.  That was the security that gave Paul a settled mind and heart in his circumstances.

Have you learned this art of contentment?  If no, where are you on the learning curve toward contentment?  How can you practice this week?

My prayer for us all ... God, teach us this beautiful art form.  Give us hearts to want it.  Give us minds to learn it.  Give us eyes to see Your hand in our every day, indeed, in our every circumstance.  And there, may we rest in You.

(Continued)

Philippians - Antidote to Anxiety (Lesson 7 - Post 2)

Continued ...

Philippians 4: 2 - 9

We continue our examination of Paul's instructions for doing battle with anxiety.

Number 4 ... Pray.  Look again at verses 6 - 7.  Pray.  About anything.  In everything.  Can you see the discipline in this instruction?  It is a decision you make to pray.  Utilize this phenomenal resource!  Paul tells us that part of prayer is supplication.  Part of prayer is laying our requests and needs - our cares - before the Lord.  We do it in faith ... trusting the sovereignty and faithfulness, the love and mercy of God.  Another part of prayer is thanksgiving.  Look for your own places of gratitude in whatever circumstance you are in.  Look for your own places of gratitude in relationships you are in.  And tell God ... express thanks ... pause long enough to look for and express your gratitude.  Prayer is the umbilical cord that keeps you connected to God the Father.  Don't cut it!

Number 5 ... Select the things upon which you will focus your mind.  Look again at verses 8 - 9.  Paul lists for us the kinds of things that will help produce healthy thinking and reduce stress and anxiety in our minds.  The list is so beautiful.  Things that are ...

• true
• noble
• right
• pure
• lovely
• admirable
• excellent
• praiseworthy

Paul says to think about those kinds of things.  Why is it so much easier to see flaws, to see the ugly, to criticize the imperfect, to moan over the failure than it is to focus on the beautiful and excellent? What is it about us that draws us in that direction?  I don't want to be that way!  

 Now, I want us to get practical.  Take a piece of paper right now.  If you are married, list some things about your spouse that fit the categories Paul lists.  If you have children, whether young or grown, list some things about them that fit these categories.  If you are a part of a church family, list some things about it that fit these categories.  If you have a paying job, think about that work and list some things about it that fit these categories.  OK.  You have created your own "think about" lists!  You have developed your own 'mental focus' items.  So ... practice.  Today.  

I know that every one of us longs for peace of mind and life.  Therefore, we must do battle with anxiety.  It robs our mind of any chance for peace.  Paul gives us solid, practical, doable instructions to enter the battle and come out victorious.  Are you willing to do it?  If not, why not?  

Lord, may we have the courage and the mind to pursue this wisdom from your servant, Paul.  You came that we might have abundant life ... and a life riddled with anxiety is not even close to abundant.   I pray for each of us considering these things ... give us the desire to rid our lives of anxiety and the willingness to take the steps You gave us.   Amen.