Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
We might read this passage and miss the incredible gift that God, through Jesus Christ, has given us. What veil are we continuing to hold over our face?
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Is there anything that is weighing you down where you feel there is no hope or no way out? I know we have heard this statement many times, ‘bring it to Jesus’ and it has become a cliché to our ears. When you are tempted to doubt God when life brings you situations that seem impossible and you are about to give up, think about the faithful men and women in the Bible who chose not to give up and brought their life circumstances to God.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Envy (jealousy) - Oxford dictionary
A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).
Selfish ambition - dictionary.com
Devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
Miriam-Webster.com
Synonyms for SELFISH: egocentric, narcissistic, egotistic, egomaniacal, solipsistic, egotistical, self-centered, etc.
How are things going in your life? Do you find yourself in disorder? Do you find that no matter how successful you are there is always a longing for more? Or no matter what you do the results are not what you hope for? Take some time today to assess your heart and mind and see if there is any possibility that you are operating in the spirit of envy or selfish ambition. Maybe that's why your life might be in disorder and your decisions might be leading you toward evil practice instead of Holy practice according to the words of God. Let's remember, ambition is different from selfish ambition. To have ambition to accomplish goals and dreams in your life is not a sin but the motive that inspires or drives you to the ambition can lead to selfish ambition. Allow God’s compass to guide your heart and attitude and watch his power transform your life of disorder to serenity.
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
As I study James chapter three which I have read on numerous occasions, I felt this heavy burden. I started pondering how we use our tongue for many good purposes in our lives, yet if we are not careful, this important/special sense can lead us to eternal fire. How do we avoid using our tongue to produce " a world of evil"? Jesus, in Luke 6:43-45, tells us what we store inside of our heart will be the result of our speech. I have heard this statement as a young child that resonates with me, it takes seconds/minutes to make a mistake, but it takes a lifetime to fix it. The words that we speak matter. Our salvation depends on them. Let us think about how we can use our tongue wisely. That is why scriptures say, "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” Mathew 12:37. Let's be more intentional on how we used our tongue.
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Jesus wrote this stern rebuke to address the heart and mindset of the Laodicea church. This scripture is very much applicable to our lives today. Jesus is reminding us that being rich in this world can easily lead us to worship our position in life and disregard the God who provides the "rich and affluent" life that we live. Are you in a position where you feel that you have reached the top and are in no need? Has your success become the focal point of your life? The scripture above is a reminder if our lives are not God focused, we are doomed for eternal disappointment.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.
As you read this scripture, you might be experiencing a difficult trial where you are discouraged and feel defeated. You might find yourself saying, why am I not in perfect peace when I trust in God? This passage makes me think of the story in Mathew 14: 22-33 when Peter walked on water. The scripture says Peter got down and walked on water but when he lost his focus on Jesus and started focusing on the wind that is when he started sinking. The question we need to ask ourselves during the difficult times in our lives is, who or what are our thoughts fixed on?
