Discuss James 1 Page 20

Does principalities mean government as well as spirits

1. Count it joy, and never be discouraged,

When by trials your life is sorely pressed.

For you know that when your faith is tested,

Your endurance then develops best.

Perseverance must complete its working;

You will need to let it have its way.

When it's done, you'll be complete and perfect,

Having all you need to meet each day.

2. So if any one of you lacks wisdom,

Ask of God, who always hears and cares.

He gives freely without asking questions;

His abundance will become your share.

But when asking, you must never falter,

Like a wave that's blown and tossed about.

If you do, you'll never gain God's blessing;

Double-minded, you'll succumb to doubt.

3. Blest the man who perseveres in trial;

For you know the testing soon will pass.

When it's o'er and you have stood unmoving,

You'll receive the crown of life at last.

But when tempted, never be accusing;

It's not God who leads you from the path.

Your own lusts seduce you and entice you,

Giving birth to sin, and sin to death.

4. Do not let yourself yield to deception;

God's the source of every perfect gift.

He's the Maker of the stars in heaven,

Changing not as shadows move and shift.

For He chose a spirit birth to give you,

Through the Word of truth that you believed.

Thus are you the first-fruits of His labors;

By His grace, salvation is achieved.

Author: Susan H. Peterson

JAMES SPEAKS OF TREASURE (1:17-25): The treasure here is the Bible itself.

A. The source of this treasure (1:17): It came as a perfect gift from the unchanging God, who

"created all heaven's lights."

B. The salvation in this treasure (1:18): We have become his children through this priceless gift.

C. The symbol for this treasure (1:19-25): James compares the Bible to a mirror.

COUNT IT JOY Susan H. Peterson, 1998

When

Sun Jan 17, 2021

Where

nethymn (map)

Do not let yourself yield to deception;

God's the source of every perfect gift.

He's the Maker of the stars in heaven,

Changing not as shadows move and shift. (from James 1:17)

[Jam 1:19] Everyone Should Be Quick To Listen

Everyone should be quick to listen-hear now and heed-

Slow to speak, also slow to anger in word and deed.

Anger does not yield a life praised by the Lord,

So get rid of all sin and humbly accept God's Word.

What assurance do we have from James 1:8.

Our personal relationship with Christ gives us individuals power to do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Phil 4:13 so we give no authority to the enemy to steal our joy or love or peace. Your own blossoming in fruits of the Holy Spirit Gal 5:22 can give you wisdom for your personal journey to defeat all attempts from the evil one and those that do evil. James 1:5. I personally believe Jesus taught us to have less of an eye for an eye old testament mind set to the fulfilling of the law in love so we each in our own spirit are stronger in our armor for our own sake. Eph 6:10-18.

The message is always: FLEE, FLEE, FLEE. 1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."

Other sins may have an impact on oneself, whether immediate or in time. But fornication is sin that has immediate effect on both the body & mind that will eat away & lead to destruction.

But a person won't flee unless it is determined that danger is present. One has to look at the Scriptures, all the way from Israel's behaviour in the Old Testament to some Christians' behaviour in the New Testament, that the warning about sexual sin is everywhere. Once we understand the gravity of this sin, as other sins also, we will not come to the Saviour for salvation & receive His Power to overcome. Mostly we sin when tempted because we enjoy sinning & maybe believe that God cares not or easily forgives us when we do. James 1:15. However, some Christians are not on guard against the enemy's taunts to sin, & easily fall into his traps. Whatever our reason, we must know that any sin displeases the Lord & if we should stumble & fall into sin, there is still a place of repentance & forgiveness for us. 1 John 1:9.

The ways to handle this sin or any sin, is to first know your position as a child of God, purchased at a great cost. You belong to Him & it is God's desire & should be yours too, to refrain from all sin & all appearance of evil. That's not always easy & we can succumb to temptations: we need to strengthen our minds & hearts from God's Word (i.e. read & meditate on it daily); we need to be in much prayer about that area of weakness in our lives, that the Spirit's Power will avail for us at the moment of testing; when temptation knocks at our door, we turn the other way, we run to the Lord; put your mind, your hands, your body to other good uses; even mix with company that don't open up a way of temptation or sin for you, rather ready to support & help you. May God help you.

Yes, we get an indication of the physical Satan in Ezekiel 28:12-19. Though Ezekiel is directing his prophecy to the King of Tyrus, we understand that through the description of his wickedness, the picture of Satan (& specifically Satan's former position in Heaven as a 'cherub' & 'having being in the Garden of Eden') clearly show us a dual meaning to this prophecy. Yes, Satan had beauty & perfection (verses 12,13,17) & as a cherub, that position is normally associated in being in close proximity to God's Presence (as in the Tabernacle on Earth & over the Ark of the Covenant), & in relation to God's Holiness.

Why did Satan go bad? Verse 17 tells us that his heart "was lifted up because of his beauty". Not that he always admired himself 'in the mirror', but his heart was lifted up against the Most High, believing that he was as good or better than God. See Isaiah 14:12-15, & particularly, that he was perfect, Ezekiel 28:15 (sinless, as all the other heavenly beings), until his pride took over & he believed he was better than God. But the big question: how was it possible for Satan to sin, & can other heavenly beings likewise sin? It seems that even by being in the Holy Presence of God & finding complete delight in worshipping Him, there can still be that element of choice. For in his pride & estrangement from God, he also gathered to himself other 'defecting' angels (see 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:7-9; Jude 1:6).

We see Jesus in His humanity, though pure & sinless, He was tempted of Satan (Matthew chapter 4). Jesus resisted Satan using God's Word against him. However, Satan was in the presence of God & His Word in Heaven, yet allowed the thought of grandeur to enter in & develop into sin ( James 1:15) & finally a full blown wickedness that saw him banished from God's Presence & ever since, working against God to bring & keep humanity in his solid grip. But the Cross of Jesus brings us release from that grip - if we can only trust Jesus for it.

"This is something I am sure is easy to answer but I just have wondered about it but when Jesus was on the cross why did he say My God My God why have thee forsaken me. I thought maybe that he was in so much pain he did not know what he was saying? Thanks."

One must first understand the Godhead before one can understand how Christ could pray this prayer. The triune Godhead is comprised of three persons who are one monotheistic God. The scriptures reveal these persons are known as the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. This truth is found in numerous verses in the Bible, Gen.1:26; 3:22,Is.48:16, John 1:1-4, 1 Jn 5:7 to name a few.

The next thing a person needs to understand about the Godhead is that it has three attributes that make it unique. These three self-existent attributes are omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience. The Godhead is everywhere present, all-powerful, and all-knowing. The Godhead is perfect and cannot be tempted by sin, as James 1:13 explains. God required a perfect man to approach Him to redeem mankind, and thanks to Adam's fall, that man did not exist. This is why the Word laid down his self-existent attributes in the Godhead to live as the last Adam with is title as God to be tempted by sin and pay the penalty the law required to redeem mankind.

This truth is found in Is.9:6, Hebrews chapters 1 and 2, 1 Timothy 3:16, and other verses.

Colossians 2:9 explains the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Christ bodily. How do we know this is true? Christ was not omnipresent while on the earth. He dwelt in time and space in a single location(Jn1:14). Jesus was asked about the events of the tribulation, and he told his disciples the Father knew the day, not him( Matt. 24:36). Jesus was not omnipotent stating the Father did all the works through Him( Jn 14:10. After Christ rose he took back his self-existent position back in the Godhead to come dwell in all of mankind, which would require self-existent omnipresence. I hope this helps.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Proverbs 8:11-12 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.

Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 A good name is better than precious ointment;

1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given

As soon as you enter this website is a Search Box. Find answers there.

As you know, God is now speaking to Job (from Job chapter 38 onwards). God gives Job a whole list of things that He does, to which Job & others cannot have input to - all this to show Job that God is in control, not Job - He knows what He is doing & how He looks at things & at people.

So in Job 39:13, God refers to the peacock & ostrich, who carelessly leave their eggs buried in the earth, ignorant that something can pass by & crush those eggs. God says that He has deprived these animals of 'wisdom' to know or to look ahead as to the other possibilities of the eggs' survival. The bird only knows to lay its eggs & bury them; she gives no further thought about their further protection. Like the proverbial ostrich which buries its head in the sand, believing that no one can see it, since it can't see anyone.

Job was not to be like such animals devoid of understanding (you will need to look for this truth as you read the Book of Job, as it would be too much to write here). Rather Job needed to realize his humanity, his lack of wisdom & need to accept God's actions & dealings with him.

After this great dialogue by the Lord, Job finally realized that his wisdom lay in his being quiet before the Lord ( Job 40:3-5). As James 1:19 says: "let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath".

Ephesians 4:2 - With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Thessalonians 4:11 - And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Titus 3:2 - To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Psalms 25:9 - The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Isaiah 57:15 - For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

1 Timothy 6:11 - But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

2 Timothy 2:25 - In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;

James 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Ephesians 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Let us pray for this nation often. We don't always think of how blessed we are compared to Christians suffering in Countries that hate them; and kill them, for believing in Jesus.

God help us to protect what we have, with strong prayer. To not turn blind eyes away from those who are not free; who suffer peril and hunger every day. Amen.

You're quite correct in your observations about the many, who for reasons known only to themselves, promote themselves or their errant teachings to the deception & detriment of many gullible believers. But how can we judge them in all truth? Each one of us will have to stand before God for the Truth we hold onto & disseminate to others. And particularly so to those in leadership & appointed to care for our spiritual well-being ( Hebrews 13:17).

What made me wonder was when Peter wrote about despising government, and the Angels who have more power and might bring not railing accusations against them before the Lord. Made me wonder it it was something other than false Christians who have entered the church. I think I see these types on Television. Many of these preachers I used to watch on Television would say things that were not Biblical, such as Copeland saying God is the biggest failure of the Bible. You can watch that clip on You Tube. Jesse Duplantis claims he counseled God, Joseph Prince who says repentance is a change in your attitude from thinking negatively to thinking positively. These dudes twist the gospel message to fit their own type of Theology that better fills their purses. Copeland with what he says makes me wonder how he ever got to where he got to. How can people sit there and listen to his blasphemy and heresy? Thanks for your response!

I think you are referring to 2 Peter 2:10-12, Spike. If so, Peter is warning believers about the false prophets in the world & specifically the false teachers amongst them, who were of their number (verse 1). So enraged was Peter over their pernicious beliefs, teachings & despicable acts, that he has devoted a whole chapter to denounce them & warn believers to identify them & turn away from them.

Peter shares things about those false teachers which we today might not have specific knowledge of, but Peter's readers would know quite well what Peter was referring to as they connect the dots. With Peter's help, it would have become abundantly clear to them about these teachers' fleshly, corrupt, unbiblical teaching that they were overwhelming believers with, in the light & contrast to what the Scriptures had to say. What made it worse, was that their teaching became even more believable as great oratory skills using enticing words, were employed (v 18).

I agree with you, that this passage can appear confusing, so we need to look a little at its history.

The requirement for male circumcision was ordered by the LORD under the Abrahamic Covenant ( Genesis 17:11-12) & this was one of the signs (a token) of God's Covenant between Him & Israel. The Israelites were in bondage in Egypt, so this rite was either not performed or not done correctly there; but before reaching the Promised Land, Joshua had to re-circumcise all the males: Joshua 5:2.

With that history in mind, when we look at Exodus chapter 4, we see Moses, after disputing with the LORD about going to meet Pharaoh, finally preparing to return to Egypt to secure the release of the Israelites there. Then in verse 24, we read while Moses' family was travelling & in the Inn, "that the LORD met him (Moses), and sought to kill him (Moses)." Some interpret the "him" as Pharaoh's firstborn son, but that wouldn't make sense, as he was to be the bargaining tool to secure the Israelites' release. Nor could it apply to Moses' son, as at that age (?), the parents were still responsible for having the circumcision performed. It's doubtful that the LORD would have followed through with killing Moses, rather that GOD showed His extreme displeasure in no uncertain terms.

What we don't read in verse 24, is how the LORD was dealing with Moses about his failure to circumcise his son. Because of Moses' failure to do this prior to returning to Egypt, God's Anger was kindled & He had showed them both that Moses' life was at stake. Zipporah, his wife, immediately took the initiative & circumcised their son, & in anger called Moses, 'a bridegroom of blood' (her husband's failure to have their son properly circumcised forcing her to do the job). Moses may have had his reasons for not circumcising (it's suggested that he didn't want it done in the Egyptian manner which was different to what God prescribed), but his failure to do so, brought on God's displeasure & anger against him.

Does the bible say specifically that the Lord sought the life of Moses for not having his son circumcised or does it say that the Lord would seek the life of the child.

Any idea to who Peter is referring to or talking about in 2 Peter 10-12? Thanks

If a question on a particular scripture is needed: you can sometimes get it by googling.

Type in the google box:

1. Proverbs 6 commentary. Or

Proverbs 6 teaching

That way you'll get the entire chapter

2. To just get one verse only of scripture-

Proverbs 6:1 (commentary or teaching, or definition

Always ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the Word of the Bible. He can open a verse or book like no one else can. He is always my "go to Teacher" on everything I read.

Just defeat your nerves and shyness and Ask Him to open the mysteries of the Bible to you. He is God too, and you will quickly fall in love with his manner of teaching.

Mishael

God bless you brother Nigel

Yes, definitely. But what is the Sabbath? The Sabbath is Jesus Christ. He is our rest. Every day of our lives we should strictly live a life of devotion towards our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is our all in all, and the true Sabbath. The true rest.

Matthew 11:28

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Love in Christ

Is it necessary to strictly keep the Sabbath Day ?

It is not necessary to "hide God's Holy Name" for it has been revealed many times over throughout Scripture & there is no Scripture to forbid us doing it. God has revealed Himself in multiple forms of His Name & this was so that we might know Him & love Him more for Who He is.

However, for the Jew, they are forbidden to speak God's Name, lest they mistakenly break the third Commandment, "Thou shall not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain". Yet we are to praise His Name as we often see in the Psalter: e.g. Psalm 69:29,30; Psalm 96. I think that 'authority to hide God's Name' is from man's zeal & inclinations & not from God or His Holy Word.

Can you tell me where in the bible the reference is ....the lion shall lay down with the lamb....

Why is it necessary to hide God's holy name? I've read the scriptures and I find nothing that support this action. Also, who gave man the authority to hide it?

There are two aspects to consider. First, due to the fallen nature of mankind brought on us by Adam's sin, people have desires for many things that are outside God's will for our lives. We all have what we call a carnal sin nature, or the flesh. Different people have different fleshly desires. Simply to be tempted in our weakness is not sin.

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ( Romans 8:10-14)

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. ( James 1:12-16)

Our second consideration is the act itself:

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. ( Leviticus 18:22)

This means the LORD finds it repulsive and those who engage in it have rejected God.

Blessed Assurance:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ( 1 John 2:1-2)

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ( John 3:17)

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. ( John 6:37-40)

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ( John 10:9-10)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ( Romans 8:1-2)

Saved, sanctify, or set apart means that one puts on the armor of God. The armor is God's laws, statutes, and commandments in which one applies to their life therefore saving you from the evils and wickedness of the world. Doing these laws, statutes and commandments will bring upon blessings and the ultimate reward, eternal life.

Levitcus 20:7 reads Sanctify yourselves therefore, be ye holy: for I Am the LORD which sanctify(save, set apart) you.

james 1:25...But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

john 3:15-21...15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

BELOVED Brothers and Sisters, Father God gave Us two ears and one mouth and a Wise, Revolutionary Mind like Our Victorious Brother Jesus Christ ( Revelation 1:18). "Wherefore, my BELOVED brethren, let every man [and woman] be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." - James 1:19. Amen.

James 1:9? Did you read Revelation before making a comment?