"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT AN UNDERSTANDING AND MEDITATION"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT AN UNDERSTANDING AND MEDITATION"

Psalm 119:27 “Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.”

Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible:

This 119th Psalm, has 150 verses in it. 

They are divided up into little paragraphs with 8 verses in each paragraph.

Except for one of the 150 verses, each verse mentions God's Word in some fashion. 

This verse is both a prayer and a plan by the author.

May we have what he had.

1. God can make us understand the way of His precepts.

Psalm 119:27 “Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.”

As mentioned, this is a prayer.

It's a prayer for God to give understanding

It's as if the writer is saying, "help me understand the meaning of Your commandments”.

That's really what's being said here.

We can pray along the same line.

We can ask God for understanding.

And, we can be sure He will give it to us.

He delights to help us understand His Word. 

He wants to communicate with us.

2. We can meditate on all of God's wondrous works.

Psalm 119:27 “Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.”

The value of having God give understanding is what we can do with it. 

Once God has shown us something in His Word, then we can meditate on it.

Meditation means to ponder, to consider to think upon over and over again.

God's Word reveals to us His wondrous works and miracles.

We can think about God what God has done.

For example when taking a walk, direct your thoughts to His Word.

Think about what You read, or heard from the Bible.

It's amazing what joy and blessing it will bring to Your soul.

Questions:

1. Can you think of anything more worthy of your thoughts than God and His Word?

2. Do you know that God wants to give you understanding about His Word?

3. And, have you ever really tried to think deeply and consistently about what God has shown you?

4. Will you consider trying that this coming week?

5. Will you take clear mental or written notes of what you hear from your pastor, or read from your Bible?

6. Will you then take the time later to really think upon what God has shown you, and said to you?

A Prayer:

Father, Your Word is even placed above Your name. Your Word is life. Your Word is the food for our souls. Thank You for the Bread of Life.

Thank You for Jesus Christ who is the bread of life. And, thank You that You will give us understanding when we ask for it. And thank You for tremendous unrivaled benefit we derive by thinking upon Your Word. It fills and feeds and delights and guides, and comforts our soul.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSING OF PATIENCE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSING OF PATIENCE"

James 5:7 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”

James 5:8 “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

James 5:10 “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.”

James 5:11 “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible:

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Here, of course, we see the Apostle James who was the half brother of Jesus talking to us about the value and importance of being patient.

He has many things to say about patience, and we would be well served to pray for understanding and application of God's Word about patience in our own lives. May God cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.

1. We are simply instructed to be patient until Jesus returns.

James 5:7 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”

How simple is this teaching.

God says to be patient.

Patience means to simply hang in there, stay put, don't run off, but remain under, and in whatever it is that God has you in, and is doing in your life.

We are to pursue patience until Jesus comes back for us.

He is coming back, He has promised that to us.

We are given the example of a farmer to help us understand patience.

Farmers begin their work of planting, and then they wait.

They wait patiently.

They wait for the early and later rain.

So it takes time for them to finish their work.

What a great example for us to help us understand patience.

2. We are not only to be patient but also to establish our hearts.

James 5:8 “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Along with being patient we are to establish our hearts.

This means, to take courage.

We can take courage because God the judge is standing at the door.

3. We need to avoid grumbling against one another.

James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

This is pretty simple isn't it?

Do not grumble, complain, etc, etc. 

Why? Because the Lord is standing at the door watching. .

4. We have the prophets as an example of suffering and patience.

James 5:10 “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.”

We are given a second example of patience, and of suffering.

We have the prophets.

They are all through the Old Testament in great detail.

Detailed also for us in Hebrews 11.

They spoke in the name of the Lord, that was their assignment.

And they suffered for serving God.

But they were patient.

So, in doing the will of God it was not easy for the prophets.

But they were patient as they went along.

They are an example for us to be patient in our sufferings as we do the will of God.

5. We have heard of the patience of Job.

James 5:11 “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

One more example we are probably a little more familiar with, "Job”.

We do count them blessed who endure.

Are you not yourself blessed as you endure a trial and a difficult time, of course you are.

God is reinforcing that truth here. Be patient and be blessed.

We have heard of the perseverance of Job.

Yes we have, that's for sure.

We have also seen what happened at the end of Job's story. 

We see what God intended through all of Job's trials and sufferings.

We have seen in the book of Job two things about the Lord.

He is very compassionate. Not just compassionate, but very compassionate.

He is also merciful.

Some Questions:

1. Are you going through a hard time at this time?

2. Patience is what God will give you and what God calls you to be in the trials of life.

3. Are you familiar with these verses?

4. Will you read them again quickly and then read them again a little more slowly?

5. Do you believe that these truths are for you also?

6. Will you ask God for patience?

7. Do You believe He will give it to you?

A Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, who is so in love with His children here on earth. Before we know it, we will be face to face with You in glory. To be honest, Lord, we can hardly wait. Only You know when each of us will arrive in heaven. But we are promised to arrive.

But down here, Lord, we need so much help. You are the giver of all good gifts. Patience in a sense is a gift, it's actually part of Love, the fruit of the Spirit. May we see this aspect of love in our lives, Lord. It's what You call us to. In Jesus’ name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HUMILITY AND GRACE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HUMILITY AND GRACE"

James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 4:9 “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Man has so many problems, and they come from the problem of sin, and the lustful and selfish desires that dwell within our fallen natures.

But God has all the answers to all of our problems.

This section of James deals with those answers, what they are, and how we receive them..

1. God gives more grace.

James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

Here we are told what God gives.

He gives more grace.

We have many problems, and many sins.

But God has and gives more grace than our problems and sins.

2. God resists the proud.

James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

Now we see how we access or how we can receive what God has for us.

It's not hard to do.

It's actually very simple.

It does take a decision of our will

God resists the proud.

But He gives grace to the humble.

That's the answer right there.

It's called humility.

To bow our hearts and lives before God.

3. Submit to God and resist the devil.

James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

4. Draw near to God.

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Another wonderful promise is given us here.

If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

How blessed we can be by simply drawing near to Him.

Also, God calls us to cleanse our hands.

If we are doing things that are dirty, we ought to stop doing those things.

We can cleanse ourselves by repenting of what we were doing.

Asking God to forgive us. 

This cleansing includes our hearts or our inner life.

So, both on the outside, and on the inside, God calls us to be clean or holy, or set apart to Him.

5. Lament and mourn it's good for us.

James 4:9 “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

This is the pathway to blessing.

It has to do with dealing properly with our sin.

Sin is silly and destructive.

We are to weepand lament and mourn over our sins.

Let our laughter be turned to mourning.

Let our joy be turned to gloom.

In other words as the NLT put it: “Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.”

6. Humble ourselves before God.

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Again from the NLT: “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.”

Humility is a great virtue to pursue.

Pride is a dangerous attitude to maintain.

Leave pride.

Pursue humility.

It will bring God's blessing.

Some Questions:

1. Do you know the true meaning of grace?

2. It means God's unmerited, undeserved favor.

3. Have you ever read what God resists and what He is drawn to?

4. Would you take another look at these few short verses?

5. Will you prayerfully consider your own life at this moment in relation to what is said in these verses?

A Prayer:

Father, You are the God of all grace, and we thank You that You give grace to us, for we need it desperately.

You are the God who resists pride, but You give grace to the humble. So, Lord, would You please teach us to forsake our pride, and to pursue humility that we might enjoy Your "More Grace”.

We thank You that there is a way out of the sins and problems we create, and a way into the untold blessings of God. 

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WISDOM AND PEACEMAKERS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WISDOM AND PEACEMAKERS"

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

James 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

These two verses help us know what God's wisdom looks like. It's in contrast to the wisdom from the devil. Which is found in the verses just before these two. May the Lord bless us all with a simple ability to know when we have or don't have God's wisdom.

1. Wisdom does come from heaven.

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

Earlier in the first chapter of James we were promised that God would give wisdom to those who ask Him for it.

Here in this third chapter James has some more to say about God's wisdom.

He describes it as "the wisdom that is from above”.

Isn't that a beautiful picture in your minds eye.

God is wisdom

Jesus is made unto us wisdom.

The Bible is God's wisdom.

Wisdom comes down from heaven.

Our Father sends His wisdom all the way from heaven to our hearts.

2. Wisdom from heaven is described in great detail for us.

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

So, here is the detailed description of God's wisdom.

It is pure.

It is peaceable or peace loving

It is gentle at all times.

It is willing to yield to others.

It is full of mercy.

It is full of good deeds.

It shows no partiality.

It is always sincere.

That's a true Godly measurement to use to know if we have God's wisdom or have been tricked into devilish wisdom.

3. A word about peacemakers.

James 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Righteousness has fruit.

Righteousness is sown in peace.

Righteousness comes through those who make peace.

Peacemakers are the people who plant seeds of peace.

Peacemakers are also the people who reap a harvest of goodness.

Some Questions:

1. Who does not need wisdom?

2. I can't think of anyone can you?

3. Isn't it wonderful that God promises to give it to us?

4. And, isn't it wonderful that He helps us know what it looks like when we have it?

A Prayer:

Father in heaven, where we will one day be. We need Your wisdom now here on earth. Thank You for promising to give it to those who ask in faith, and thank You for showing us in detail what it looks like. We can get very confused down here. But, You can help get us on the right path. And when You have us on the right path, then we can be those who sow seeds of peace and those who reap a harvest of blessing and goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR EARS, TONGUES AND WILLS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR EARS, TONGUES AND WILLS"

James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”

James 1:20 “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

James 1:21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, applications and a prayer:

This is, of course, more simple practical teaching from our Lord on how to live our lives in Christ.

This is an important part of James because it deals with several parts of our lives that can be used in a way that either builds up or tears down.

1. We are to be swift to hear.

James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”

Here we are being instructed about being quick to do something.

That something has to do with our ears.

We are to be swift to hear what God has to say to us. 

Or to put it another way, "We are to be quick to listen to God”.

In fact, it sure wouldn't hurt to be quick to listen to anyone speaking to us.

But for sure it's good and helpful to be ready to listen to our Lord.

God has so much to say to us.

2. We are to be slow to speak.

James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”

Now on to our tongues or our speech.

We are to be slow to speak. 

Listen more carefully, and speak more slowly.

How many times have we wished we had not said what we just said?

This is a good thing for us to pray about.

Asking the Lord to help us be more careful to think before we speak, and not be in such a rush to talk.

3. We are to slow to wrath.

James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”

James 1:20 “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Now on to another subject entirely. 

Wrath or anger.

Simply put, God is telling us to be slow to get angry.

It's so easy to get angry.

Even over the simplest and smallest of things.

But, here God is saying be slow to get angry.

Take your time with your thinking and your heart

Try to not let anger just well up in you and come out. 

How many times have we had to say "I'm sorry”?

If we are more attentive to this teaching, we will not be so quick to get angry.

There is a reason given to us about this.

It's because anger can never make things right in God's sight.

4. We are to use our wills to lay aside sin, and receive God's Word into our hearts.

James 1:21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

This has to do with putting sin out of our lives.

Laying aside means to get rid of.

Filthiness does not need any definition.

We all know filth when we see it have a part in it.

So, God says lay it aside.

What is "overflow of wickedness" mean?

It means evil.

So, filth and evil have no place in our lives. 

It's not pleasing to God to allow them to remain in our lives.

Finally, we are to receive God's Word into our hearts

We are to humbly accept the message that God has for us from His Word.

Some Questions:

1. It's not too hard to relate to these verses is it?

2. Our ears, tongues and hearts are what we are made of if you will.

3. Let's ask the Lord to help us take His instruction and put it into practice.

A Prayer:

Heavenly Father, our Comforter and Helper, please help us to assimilate these verses and put them into practice.

These are powerful parts of our lives and powerful verses from Your Word.

We desire to honor You and need lot's of grace and help to do so.

Will You please help us, Lord?

In Jesus’ name we pray amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING THROUGH TRIALS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING THROUGH TRIALS"

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

James 1:3 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

James 1:4 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

James is a very practical book. In fact, it's interesting that the name of Jesus is not even mentioned in the five chapters.

However, it's all about how to walk with Jesus Christ. It covers so many subjects. It's kind of like a New Testament version of Proverbs. 

Today in these two verses, we learn about trials.

1. Trials come to christians.

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

There is such joy when one gets saved.

But not long after, a trial or difficulty will come into their lives.

This is always a surprise.

But christians soon learn that trials come to believers, and God intends good through them.

2. Trials are to be welcomed by Christians.

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

Notice what is said.

Count it all joy.

Not be joyful that there is pain or difficulty.

But rather take joy knowing what God is going to do through the trial.

In other words, take the attitude of letting the trial be an opportunity for joy.

Hang in there, God is going to bless you through the trial. 

That's why you can welcome them with joy, and count them as joy.

3. Trials can come in a variety of ways.

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

Just as no two snowflakes are alike, neither are any two trials exactly alike.

Trials come in various shapes, sizes, and colors if you will.

God knows exactly what trial will fit the need in our life to help us grow.

4. Trials are allowed by God for a purpose.

James 1:3 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

What happens is this.

Your faith is being tested and is being given a chance to grow. 

That's the goal God has through trials.

They start out with difficulty, but they end up with a faith that has grown.

5. Trials are an opportunity for us to cooperate with God as we go through the trial.

James 1:4 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Here's our part.

God chooses the time and the trial or testing of our faith.

What He simply wants us to do is to trust Him, and be patient as He works in our life through the trial

You can see from the verse that it is our faith that is being tested.

Part of the test is simply letting God do what He wants to do.

Questions:

1. Are you going through a trial right now?

2. Have you just come through a trial recently?

3. Can you remember what happened the last time you went through a trial?

4. What did the Lord do in your life through that trial?

5. If you are in a trial, I encourage you to let God do what He wants to do.

A Prayer:

Father, how kind, loving, and gracious You are. Thank You that You want to grow us up in our faith.

We don't like it when a trial comes, but once we realize what is happening then we know, okay, God is at work, and I want to work with Him, and let Him do whatever he wants to do. Father, may that be the prayer and attitude of our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia