James 1:17-27
Our New Testament readings for the next few weeks from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer take us to the Epistle or Letter from James. Most Bible scholars believe that the James who wrote this was the half brother or step-brother of Jesus. Though he was undoubtedly a devout and religious Jew, during the years of Jesus’s public ministry James did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, nor did he follow Him (John 7:1-5). Shortly after His resurrection from the dead, however, Jesus met with James, at which point he became a strong believer (I Corinthians 15:3-8). James became the leader, or bishop, of the church in Jerusalem, and is believed to have been martyred shortly before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. James’s letter to fellow believers is a practical one, giving us direction and counsel on Christian living.
As our passage begins, James reminds us that every good thing we have in our life, every blessing, comes from God (vs 17). This includes not only the good things specific to our life, like our family, friends, home, job, food, but also all of the beautiful things we see in creation. These are all gifts to us from our Heavenly Father. He is a wonderful Father, who never changes.
Next James gives us some advice that we could all benefit from following, and that is to be quick to hear, but slow to speak, slow to anger (vs 19-20). So many of us are just the opposite. We open our mouth and blurt out whatever we think when we should have kept it shut, and we are often quick to lose our tempers. Because our anger is so often self-centered and not upstanding, it doesn’t serve God’s purposes, and leaves a poor testimony. James tells us, in light of this, to get rid of all immorality and evil in our life (vs 21). The best thing to help us is to receive God’s Word in our heart. God’s Word, the Holy Bible alone, is what can save our souls.
James’s next instruction to his readers is a very important one, both then and now, which is to be a doer of the Word of God, not just one who hears or reads it, and does nothing (vs 22-25). This is a very important lesson that God wants us to hear. When we look into the mirror each day, our purpose is to see how we are. Does our hair need a touch-up brushing? Does a little of our last meal still linger around our mouth? Are our clothes on nice and straight? It would be foolish to look in the mirror, see this, and then walk away doing nothing. Are we that way with what we read in the Bible? We read of how the Lord wants us to act, the things that, as believers, we should be doing, we agree with Him, but then walk away and do nothing. James says that we are deceiving ourselves if this is what we are doing. Though the Scriptures are most unequivocal and explicit in stating that we are saved by faith and not works, it is also clear that if there is no fruit, there is no root. In other words, our believing faith will show forth by our actions. James says here that if we are reading or hearing God’s Word, but not putting anything we hear into action, is our faith really genuine, or are we deceiving ourselves? God promises that if we look into His perfect Word and follow it, we will be blessed in all we do.
Next James gives us another warning about our mouth and our word (vs . 26). I know that I can’t be warned enough about that! Here in this verse he is quite blunt, and tells us to put a bridle on our tongue. Just as a horse is brought under control by the bridle we put on him, we need to bring our tongue under control. How often we need to pull back on the reins of our tongue and stop what we’re about to say!
In closing our passage for today, James gives us a couple of good, practical examples of what we, as believers should be doing for the Lord (vs 27). James says that if we say we are Christians, then show it by helping the most needy in society. In his day those were widows and orphans. He also says to not let the corrupted conduct of the world soil us with its sins.
How are we doing? Let’s take a good look into God’s mirror, His Word, see what needs to be done in our life, straighten it up, and then go out into the world and serve Him.
Psalm 146
As we go through life, there are a few things we find to be major concerns for many people, and those are our financial state, the state of our health, and the peace or lack thereof in our country and world. With those usually being big concerns, who are we looking to for our help and support in life? Who is the source for our finances, for our health, and peace? In our Scripture reading for today from the Book of Psalms, we read the answer of who we should be looking to. Let’s spend a moment to take a brief look into this psalm.
To whom or to what are we looking to for our financial well-being? Some may think that it is their job, their boss. They may be trusting in bank accounts, investments, or retirement accounts. Others may be depending on government assistance. As many have seen, these can come crashing down. Our job can be lost in a day, often with no warning. Financial markets and banks can collapse and fail, and our investments with it. Government assistance is never dependable, and can be withdrawn in a moment. None of these can be confidently relied on.
What about our health? Who are we looking to for that? Some may be fortunate, and have a very good doctor and excellent medical insurance. As we know, though, even the best of doctors do not know, and cannot cure everything. Just as our job can disappear, so can that medical insurance. We cannot even rely on always having good health. That can change overnight. As for trusting in our country and government to keep us safe from harm and danger, history shows that is never reliable.
So who can we look to as our source for our financial stability and health? Our psalmist today tells us very clearly that man cannot be relied upon for help (vs 3-4). Putting our hope in any man to really help us is futile. Even the best of men are limited. God is the only true hope and help of the needy. God is the Creator of the world and all therein, and as thus, He is both omnipotent and omniscient (vs 6). Since that cannot be said of any man, God is infinitely a better choice to look to for help. Man’s trust is best placed in the Creator of heaven and earth.
In verses 6 - 9 the psalmist lists just some of the ways in which we can rely on God to be our source, our help, in every area of our life. First, in verse 6, He is truthful. We all know that is frequently not the case with man. Our bosses often cheat us, and how often is any government truthful to its people? We can count on God for justice, as well (vs 7). That, too, is something we frequently cannot get from neither man nor government, but we can from God. He gives us both literal and spiritual food and freedom.
We can also look to the Lord for our healing (vs 8). That is not to say that we should never see or trust our physicians or the medical field, but our ultimate faith and reliance should be in God. Verse 8 speaks of God opening the eyes of the blind. Restoring the sight of the blind was one miracle never performed in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, performed that many times, both physically and spiritually.
What about the “little people”, the downtrodden, helpless, and those who have nothing or nobody to help them? Who can they turn to? Verses 8 and 9 assure us that the Lord God watches over them. He is their source for help. He lifts up those who are bowed down from any type of oppression, and brings relief to those who have no means of support. Man often cannot or chooses not to help these helpless ones, but God reaches out and helps those in need.
Our psalmist both began and ended his psalm with praise to the Lord God. When we spend time praising God, it takes our focus off of our problems and on to Him. We meditate on and appreciate God’s character. Our eyes need to turn from here on earth to God in heaven, who is our real source of help.
Isaiah 35:3-7
Have you ever been really down and discouraged? The world looks very bleak and grim. It’s especially difficult when you know the bad situation you are in is due to your own fault. The prophet Isaiah had come to the Jewish people, and told them that God was going to judge them because of their sins. Many other prophets had said the same thing. The majority of the people individually, and the nation as a whole, corporately, had sinned against God by following after the pagan gods of the neighboring nations. Now God was bringing deserved judgment, and they had every reason to feel defeated and discouraged. As our Old Testament passage opens for today, Isaiah brings a ray of hope to the people. They may have messed up badly, but God would not completely forsake them.
When we feel depressed and discouraged sometimes it is difficult to get up and do anything. It might feel like our body doesn’t want to even move. Isaiah’s message today was to bring encouragement to the weak, feeble, and fearful (vs 3-4). In the midst of difficult days and judgment, God had good news for His people, and He wanted Isaiah to bring them this hope. The author of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament also used this verse to bring encouragement to the Christians who were suffering persecution (Hebrews 12:12). He gives hope to any who accept Him. Are there those around us who could use similar encouragement, who we could give strength and hope to?
What was this message of hope that God wanted Isaiah to give the people? It was the message that God would come to them and save them (vs 4). He had not forgotten them in their troubles. Maybe the situation they found themselves in was their own fault, but God still loved them. We see this fulfilled in God sending His Son, Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins, and bring salvation to those who accepted Him. God did not abandon His people. He has not abandoned us, either. He sent the Messiah to them, just as He has for us. His desire to redeem us was so strong, He did it with a vengeance, to reverse all that Satan and sin had done to mankind.
There are many around us who are blind and deaf to God’s message of redemption (vs 5). This was the case during the days of Isaiah, the days of Jesus, and today. We need to pray and work to reverse the spiritual condition of those around us. The day will come in the future when everyone’s eyes will be opened and their ears unstopped. Isaiah closes this passage with giving us a brief glimpse of that day. When Jesus returns to earth to set up His Kingdom, spiritual blindness and deafness will be opened, and all will see and recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord and King (Philippians 2:9-11).
Not only that, but the physically blind and deaf will be healed then. Their eyes will be opened, and their ears unstopped so they both hear and see. Those who are crippled will be able to run and leap (vs 6). All physical ailments will be gone for those who live in God’s Kingdom.
There are many parts of the world where water is a scarce commodity. It is a necessity to life, even more so than food. When Jesus returns, Isaiah say that the desert areas on earth will have springs of water flowing through them (vs 6-7). To all those who are who have a covenant with God through the Blood of His Son, Jesus, He will give Living Water, the Holy Spirit. He is much more precious than water in a desert.
Be strong, because God has not abandoned us. He will rescue us, redeem us, and set us free. Sometimes we are fearful, especially when times are tough. Remember, though, God says to be strong, and fear not.
Mark 7:1-23
Most of us have run across hypocrites in our life, and we can say they are an irritating bunch, pretending to be something that in reality they are not. We find them quite frequently in religious circles, often trying to act as if they are better than everyone else. On several occasions Jesus came across religious hypocrites, and in today’s reading from Mark’s Gospel we will see what He had to say to them.
As our passage begins, some of the religious leaders and Pharisees were watching Jesus’s disciples sit down to eat, and they saw that the disciples did not go through the elaborate, ritual hand washing first (vs 1-4). This wasn’t standard hand washing that everyone would do before eating. This was a man-made law; a ritualistic tradition that the religious leaders years earlier had come up with, along with the way they washed dishes, and many other traditions. Over the years there came to be multiple hundreds of man-made ritual traditions that the Pharisees and religious leaders set up over God’s Law. By the time of Jesus’s day, all of these man-made rules had supplanted God’s Word. Following these traditions, even above the Bible, made them feel more holy, more righteous, than other people, and they tried to force others to follow them ahead of Scriptures.
When Jesus heard the criticism the Pharisees were leveling at His disciples, He responded to them by quoting a verse from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 29:13). Even in Isaiah’s day there were those who set up man-made rules and traditions ahead of God’s Word, having thoughtless conformity without a pure heart. The Pharisees were hypocrites because they worshipped God for the wrong reasons. They were not motivated by love for God, but by desire to appear holy, and increase their status. Some people act religious by their actions, but their hearts are not true to God. We too are hypocrites if we follow certain religious practices while allowing our hearts to remain distant from God. Traditions do not make us acceptable to God.
Jesus then brought up one tradition that was frequently practiced, which was particularly abhorrent to Him, and that was the practice some followed of taking money or goods that should be used in taking care of elderly parents, and instead say it was holy, or sacred to God, (Corban), and thus the elderly parents had no means of support (vs 9-13). If a son became angry at his older parents, he could declare his money or goods “Corban”, and then not have to take care of his parents. Jesus strongly condemned the religious leaders because they were cancelling God’s Word (specifically here the command to honor parents) with their own man-made rules.
There are those, who like the Pharisees of old, like to set up religious rules and have others obey them, as well, even though these are not found in Scripture. It is important that we not set up our own man-made religious rules and regulations that have no basis in the Word of God. Jesus condemned it back then, and He would now.
Our passage today closes with Jesus admonishing the crowds around Him about what really defiles someone (vs 14-23). The Pharisees and religious leaders were very particular about what they ate, being sure everything was kosher and prepared properly. Jesus had some important words for those around Him about food, and thinking that what one ate made them righteous and better than others. What a person eats and drinks cannot defile him, but any ungodly words and actions can. It is more important what is in our heart and mind than what particular diet we have or choice of food we eat (Acts 10:9-29). Our diet doesn’t make us holy or any better than any better than anyone else. The core issue comes down to what is in the heart.
Evil actions begin with thoughts. By letting our minds dwell on lust, envy, hatred or revenge, they will lead us to sin. Instead, think of what is right, pure, and good (Phillipians 4:8). A person’s defiled heart is expressed both in what he says and does. External food cannot defile a person internally. External ceremonies and rituals cannot cleanse a person spiritually. Only what is in us will spill out. If it is anger, bitterness, and such, that will come out. If it is the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace, that will come out. Let’s be sure that is what is in us.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Our New Testament reading for today is a passage many might be familiar with, that of the spiritual armor the Lord has provided us with. You might wonder why we would need armor, as that is for soldiers in battle. The Christian life is not one of ease. We have a powerful and organized enemy. The battle we are in is real, not figurative, and so is the enemy. God has not left us defenseless. He has given us the Holy Spirit, and has provided spiritual armor in our battle against Satan.
Even though Satan has been ultimately defeated through Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection, there are still fierce battles that Satan fights against believers. We must be prepared and equipped, using every weapon God has given us (vs 10-13). Satan uses crafty and clever methods. He is cunning and deceptive. His ways are used by the evil system of the world over which he rules through sinful and immoral practices, worldly enticements, and false theology and religions. The demons under Satan’s control and leadership have the goal of defeating the Church. Those we fight against are the powerful evil forces of the fallen angels who united with Satan (vs 12). They try to turn us against Jesus, and back into sin. Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side.
Now that we know we are in a real battle against a powerful and hateful enemy, what are we to do? What chance do we have? God has given us some very special armor and weapons. We must be ready and willing to use it, though. To withstand the attack of the forces of evil, we must put on and use every piece of armor God has given us. We mustn’t fight in our own strength, but in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. The word “stand” is repeated in this passage three times. We are to stand firm against our enemy without wavering or falling.
The first piece that God has given us is the Belt of Truth (vs 14). A belt goes around the waist, keeps excess clothing from getting in the way, and holds everything up and together. In just the same way, God’s truth will hold everything together.
The second piece is the Breastplate of Righteousness (vs 14). For a Roman soldier, a breastplate was a fitted piece of armor, constructed in segments, and protected vital organs. God’s righteousness and holiness is what protects us. It is our chief protection against Satan. A lack of holiness leaves us vulnerable. The breastplate was not heavy or cumbersome. Jesus’s righteousness is an easy yoke (Matthew 11:28-30).
Our third item are the Shoes of Peace (vs 15). Soldiers need good, sturdy boots. They provide a good foundation, and ability to carry out the soldier’s duties. Our foundation is the good news that through Jesus we have peace with God, and He is on our side. This allows us to stand firm against Satan, knowing we have peace with God through our salvation.
God has also provided us with the Shield of Faith (vs 16). Roman shields were large enough to shield the whole body. The soldiers could crouch behind them and be safe. The word “faith” here is not the body of doctrine, but basic trust in God. Trust and faith is absolutely necessary to protect us from temptations, which are the fiery arrows Satan shoots at us. Doubt and fear are some of the fiery darts of Satan, and they can wound us. Faith is our strongest defense against them. Faith and trust in God keeps us safe.
Our fifth item is the Helmet of Salvation (vs 17). The head is a major target, as hitting it is often a death-blow. Paul is speaking to people who are already saved, so this is not attaining salvation. Satan seeks to destroy a believer’s assurance of salvation with doubts and discouragement. Knowing we are saved keeps us secure against doubt and despair.
The last item is our only offensive weapon, and that is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (vs 17). God’s Word is our only weapon against Satan. It is used both to fend off Satan’s attacks, and offensively to destroy the enemy’s strategies. As good soldiers of God, we need to really learn the Word of God, just as a Roman soldier had to learn to use his sword.
Satan does still put up a fight, but the battle has already been won by Jesus. It is easy to forget that an invisible war is raging around us. Our inattention makes us prime candidates for attack. We need to recognize Satan’s attacks, and know his goals. Be trained for battle, and don’t give the enemy a foothold. Christians need to hold on to the Word of God, standing firm in righteousness. Evil will not prevail!
Psalm 15
There are many places that have entrance requirements, things one must do or be in order to gain entrance. In our psalm for today, David asks the question of who, or what type of person will be allowed to dwell with God, and be allowed into His heavenly presence.
In this psalm, David, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives about ten or so characteristics of this person. They are upright and righteous. They are honest, and kind in their speech to or about others. They keep good company, keep their word, are kind to the poor, and won’t take bribes. As we look over this brief list of those requirements, it might look impossible to fulfill all of them, and it is. When we know how far we have fallen short of God’s holiness, and always will (Romans 3:23), we will realize our great need for a Savior. In order to achieve this level of holiness, we must depend on Jesus. He is the only one who can prepare us to abide with the Father.
That being established, let’s look at these requirements and see what we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, need to strive for. People around us may say not to bother trying to live an upright life, but as we see, the standards and morals of this world have become corrupted, and are getting worse each day. As followers of Jesus, our standards should not come from this world’s society, but from God.
In verse two we read of someone who walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speaks the truth. Looking at ourselves, are we trustworthy and honorable in all we do? Are we truthful? How blessed it would be if others could speak of us as being an honest man or woman.
Our words are important (vs 3). How we use our words reflects on our relationship with God. Are we able to control our speech? We need to be sure we speak the truth in everything. How about the way we speak about others? Believers should never take part in slandering other people. Our speech when talking either to or about others, should not be sharp, cutting, or scornful. That is not the way Jesus spoke to others. Before we speak, we should be very careful in our choice of words (James 12:1-12).
Another requirement that the Lord has given is in verse four. Here we are told to be very careful about who we keep close association with. God has told us throughout Scripture that someone who despises Him and spiritual things will have a bad impact on our walk with the Lord (I Corinthians 15:33). We emulate those we spend time with, so those who are our good friends should be fellow Christians.
How are we when it comes to keeping our word? A follower of Jesus should be known as one who keeps his promises, not as the opposite (vs 4). When we take an oath or make a promise, our word should be good, or as this passage says, “swears to his own hurt”. Our word should not change every time we turn around. Instead we should be men and women of integrity.
In the final verse of our psalm, David tells us that God is not happy if we make a profit on loans to the poor and needy. We should help our Christian brothers in need, not expecting a reward. Watch out that we don’t become obsessed with money, and that it doesn’t become a controlling force in our lives. If so, it may harm ourselves and others, and destroy our relationship with God. The Word of God here also warns us against either taking or giving a bribe to be dishonest in our judgment or corrupt our conduct.
This is a pattern of the way a believer in Jesus should behave in his daily walk. As mentioned earlier, no one in their own strength can ever achieve this. However, when we’ve asked the Lord Jesus to be our Savior, and are depending upon His strength and power in us, we are able to live for Him. God loves us so much. The fact that He does should cause us to desire to live according to His high moral standards.
Deuteronomy 4:1-9
Our Old Testament reading this week from the Lectionary of The Book of Common Prayer takes us to the book of Deuteronomy. The people of Israel have spent the last forty years traveling through the wilderness after the Lord God brought them out from slavery in Egypt. Now they are camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River, and Moses is going over and reviewing the laws that the Lord God gave them.
The successful conquest and full enjoyment of life in the land the Lord was going to give the people was based on submission to God’s law (vs 1). Our salvation is through our acceptance of the Lord Jesus and His death on the cross for our sins, and not by doing good works or following any set of laws. However, we are blessed in our life when we follow God’s Word.
One very important warning that Yahweh gives us in this passage is that we are never to add or subtract anything from God’s Word (vs 2). The Word of God is complete and sufficient for us. We cannot, and should never attempt to add to or take away from the Scriptures (Revelation 22:18-19). No human being has the wisdom or knowledge to add to God’s Word. His Word is to remain unchanged. To make changes to God’s Word is to assume a position of authority over God. The religious leaders at Jesus’s time did exactly this. They elevated their laws and words to the same level as God’s Word. Many false cults start when their leaders try to add to the Bible with their writings. We also see those who try to remove passages in the Bible that they disagree with or consider offensive. God warns us that this is wrong. His Word is to remain intact, without adding to or subtracting from.
As Moses continued in his message to the people, he reminded them that the people of the surrounding nations are watching them, and their obedience or failure to obey the Lord is a reflection on Him (vs 6 - 8). This is the same today. Our obedience to God’s Word is a testimony to the world that God is near His people, and that His laws are righteous. Our actions and behavior are either a good or bad reflection on God. Many of us might have heard our parents or grandparents admonish us to behave in public, and not bring shame to our family name. The same goes even more for our Heavenly Father. We are to be a godly reflection of our Savior, a light for His love and goodness to the world, drawing and leading the world to Him. There are some people we encounter every day who will never open up or read the Bible. They do observe us, though. Our conduct and lifestyle is the only “Bible” they will “read”. We must make sure we are truly reflecting the Lord Jesus.
In closing our passage, Moses instructs the people that it is so important that they teach their children and grandchildren the Word of God (vs 9). As we teach our children and grandchildren God’s Word we are passing on it’s truths from one generation to the next. The world is bombarding our young people with its vain, dangerous, and false philosophies every day. It is so very important that we reach them with God’s truth from the Scriptures as soon as we can.
How good are we doing in following these instructions Moses gave? They aren’t just for the Hebrews in his day, but are equally applicable to us today. God has strongly warned people in all eras to neither add nor subtract from His Word. He wants us to be sure our behavior will be a good witness and testimony to the unsaved around us. And lastly here, the Lord wants us to be sure we tell our children all about Him.
