Don’t cash in your sanctification because you idolize your zip code. – Mike Fabarez
Author Archives: Jen O'Sullivan
James 1:9-11 “Both Rich & Poor”
Both Rich & Poor
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. – James 1:9-11 (ESV)
The readers James is writing to have been displaced from their homes as they have been scattered. The word lowly refers to their financial state. He was talking about those who were poor financially. Also during this time around 60-70 AD there was great famine so most of his readers were not just poor but extremely poor, hungry, and facing great difficulty just to stay alive. He is encouraging them to know that they DO have something to boast about. They are exalted or lifted up because of Jesus. The word exalted means the heavenly realm where Jesus ascended. See Philippians chapter 3.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. – Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)
He is telling them not to worry about the rich because riches pass away. The rich, if they are right with God will boast in their humiliation. He is not saying that the rich will be judged BECAUSE of their riches. He is not writing from an ironic perspective that they had it good here on earth therefor they will have it hard in the afterlife. No. He is talking to believers both poor and rich. James is giving a warning to the rich and a reminder to not put their faith in their riches because they are not stable like God’s word. They must be constantly on guard and are often humbled by this trial. Wealthy Christians are to constantly remind themselves that while in men’s eyes they are high, they are not high in comparison to God. This becomes a struggle and so to boast in their humility before God may be what James is getting at. Both poor and rich must look at their lives from a godly and heavenly perspective and not a worldly one.
Our perspective needs to be God centered and not world centered. Regardless of if we are rich or poor we all must come back to our true center which can only be found in the heart of Jesus himself. The only true position in which we can boast.
I struggle with these types of verses and looking further into it I now feel more understanding. My wealth or my poverty is there to guide me to my true center: the heart and will of God. Being wealthy has its struggles and difficulties just as being poor does. With constant monitoring of who I am and what my purpose is within God’s will can guide me to true wealth in Christ and my salvation. Money is here on earth as a great trial. I will continue to strive to grow and invest in the LORD’s Wisdom.
Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)
Study through the Book of James with HolyJustLove.com!
James 1:2-3
James 1:4
James 1:5
James 1:6
James 1:7-8
James 1:9-11
James 1:7-8 “Double Souled”
Double-Souled
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:7-8
The word double-minded (dipsychos) means double souled which James may very well have coined. James is calling for single mindedness and views the double minded man is an unbeliever. Unbelievers will receive nothing from the LORD. I must put my love hope and faith always in God. When I ask anything I must trust in him and hope in his will. Thank you, God that you are daily making me more and more settled and stable in my understanding, hope and acceptance of your will. I desire to always trust in you. Hope in you. Love in you. Have faith in your will. Your perspective is not my perspective. Thank you for taking that huge burden from me.
Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)
Study through the Book of James with HolyJustLove.com!
James 1:2-3
James 1:4
James 1:5
James 1:6
Quote of the Day ~ The Consecrated Man by D. L. Moody
“The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully consecrated to Him.” D. L. Moody
Modern Parable ~ Blind Obedience
Sometimes I need my 5 year old to just simply obey something I ask him to do: Don’t cross the street yet… Eat your veggies… Go to bed… Don’t eat the entire bag of Halloween candy at once. While his little 5 year old mind cannot fathom any good reason to follow any of these ridiculous rules, he does. Why? Somehow in his 5 long years of life he has figured out that going against what I say as a direct command usually goes badly… sometimes very badly. So, here I sit. Almost 40 years old, still whining to God about this rule and that rule. “Why can’t I just…” on this command and that command. In my bible study today, I was reading and dissecting one verse in 1 Peter. Yes, sometimes it is important to dig into the Bible one verse at a time and digest it fully before moving on. So, here is what I studied this morning:
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, (1 Peter 1:14, ESV)
God is commanding me to not be conformed to all the things of this world that are sin and that are against His law. But get this, the first part of that sentence is “as obedient children.” This context is like a child is obedient to his father. Like my child is obedient to me. Blind obedience at times. Kicking and screaming but still obedient obedience. I hung my head low this morning as I reflected on my desire to mature in this one point. With the help of the LORD I will prevail!
~ Jen O’Sullivan
www.HolyJustLove.com
Printable Memory Verse Card ~ “Do Not Be Anxious” Card 5 of 8
One of my favorite hobbies is to take photos and try to match them with some of my favorite memory verses. I will be releasing one printable card per week every Sunday for the next 8 weeks as my way of saying thanks for visiting my blog and also a way to bless God through memorizing His Word.
Book Club Discussion: “Can I Be Sure I’m Saved” by R.C. Sproul
Starting today we will be going through R.C. Sproul’s book “Can I Be Sure I’m Saved.” You can download a copy of the book for FREE at the below link. It is a very short read with only 5 chapters. We will be commenting and discussing one chapter per week for the next 5 weeks. Join the conversation. The official conversation is on our Facebook Fan Page, however you are welcome to comment on this post as well.
Have No Fear by Philip DeCourcy
Click HERE to watch the sermon by Philip DeCourcy.
Quotes from the Sermon:
“Fear is fueled by the unknown. Fear is fueled by ignorance. I remind myself of truths concerning God. That gives me a place to stand.” – Philip DeCourcy
“If you are battling fear you have to fight your fear by taking account of how God has been faithful to you in the past.” – Philip DeCourcy
“Fear is a false prophet. What do we do with false prophets? We stone them to death.” – Philip DeCourcy
Application Questions:
1. What are some of the things that cause us to fear? Specifically, what are things that cause you to fear?
2. What is the difference between healthy fear and unhealthy fear?
3. List and affirm some truths about God. Then discuss their relevance to the fearful heart.
4. Why is it important to keep alive the memory of God’s past actions?
5. How is worship the antidote to fear?
6. Discuss the idea that courage is fear which has said its prayers.
7. Think about the promise of future grace. How does it relate to the subject of fear?
Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27, ESV)
Attributes of God: He is Omnipotent
God Is Omnipotent (He has infinite and unlimited power.)
How precious is your power. How it is needed every second of every day it is! I am weak but you are all powerful. I ache and have pain yet you have power. I long for the day when I get to see you and your power. For now I am thankful for your power thorough my life. Through your Holy Spirit I am able to gain access to your power. Please Lord give me your power; even just a grain of sand worth. I cannot seem to make it through this day without you. I fumble even when I am obedient. I am saddened by my lack of power. Please give me a tiny piece of you to get me through today.
Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. (Psalm 68:28, ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
I am a failure…broken…a mess
How is it possible that we can try our hardest and work at keeping all our ducks in a row and balls in the air and then all it takes is a simple breeze to mess us up. Satan relentlessly pursued Jesus with temptation after temptation after temptation. All he needed was for one small tiny mess up and the entire plan of God would be finished. Jesus did not mess up even once. He is my example. Yet here I sit. A failure… broken… a mess. I hang my head at my mistakes knowing there is always tomorrow.
Holy. Just. Love. 