Thoughts on James 1:2-4

Friday, 10 September 2010

Brothers and Sisters, calculate the value with great satisfaction when, without restraint, you give in to various kinds of unwise or immoral acts (especially those that hold a promise of reward through enticement or seduction).
Know that the proving of who and what you believe to be the truth about God causes you to make mental, physical and spiritual decisions that will help or hinder you in being productive and accomplishing whatever God has assigned for you to do.
It's important to see where you stand when you make these decisions because what's in your heart comes out in your words and actions. If love is there, it will manifest. If hurt is there or anger, it will show itself in how you react to others.
When trouble arises, see to it that you go through with calm endurance, tolerant understanding of the outcome God promises (ALL things work together for our good...Romans 8:28) and an uncomplaining nature - whether it is the result of your own doing or not.
Realize that in doing so you will lack nothing and will become unblemished, unimpaired, untainted and blameless in God's sight.
When you let things work in God's timing you will be unlimited in where He will take you and what He will do with you. You will no longer feel deficient, inadequate or ineffective in your walk with Him.

Things to ponder:

1. Have you seen growth in yourself after having gone through a trial or situation?
2. Has God given you several chances to make a change in your life but you have either ignored it or keep putting it off?
3. Do you think what you believe about God makes a difference when it  comes to the decisions you make?
4. What difference does your attitude make when going through difficult times, whether they are of your own doing or not?

As A Man Thinketh, So Is He...Proverbs 23:7

You've heard it said, "you are what you eat". Well, biblically speaking, "you are what you think."'

Everything you do in your life has its roots in how you think. Good, bad or indifferent, how you view yourself, and your environment has a huge impact on your life's outcome.

The most important reason for how your your life plays out is directly related to how you view, or don't view God.

Most people have some idea or thoughts about God and who He is. Whether it be that He is indifferent to man and has no real input into our everyday lives or if He is a totally hands on God who directly intervenes or someplace in between, those of us who believe there is a God have our own ideas of who or what He is and does.

Some people base their thoughts about God on what they've heard or what they've been taught while others have a more intimate relationship with God and know Him from personal experience.

Today's topic is GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

It's vital in our Christian walk to understand that God has unconditional love for us. Nothing we do or say can make Him love us any more or less. His love is not based on our performance or non performance of what we think is required to be a "good Christian".
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
 John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

But having unconditional love for us doesn't mean that God is okay with everything we do and say.

There are things we do and say that God is downright angry about. And He will do/allow what He deems necessary to get our attention or challenge us to change. To change, as a Christian, means there should be forward movement. Too many times in our walk we become stagnant and sometimes even go backwards. It's during those times that God's unconditional love is most noticeable. 


Jesus promised He would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b) That means not ever, not even for a moment. He's always there watching over us, urging us to walk on His path. Even though it may seem as though God isn't there, He most definitely is.

The really good part about God's love for us is that He's able to give us unconditional love because He sees our hearts - the motives behind our words and actions that no one else sees. 

Isn't that remarkable?

Here are some thoughts to ponder.

1. Can you think of any specific instances where you saw God's unconditional love in action towards you?
2.  Has there ever been a time when you KNEW that God had protected you or forgiven you for something you KNEW was wrong, even in the midst of doing it?
3. How do you really view God? Is He a bully, full of impossible rules and regulations or a loving God who disciplines out of His love for you?
4. Is He terribly judgmental and unfair or does He try to guide you to the right path even though sometimes it's hard and/or painful?