Tag: James 1

  • A Prescription For Blessing

    Prescription pad from Dr Jesus - Prescription for blessing

    I’ve never met a person who didn’t want to be blessed in one  way or another. Did you know that there is a clear-cut prescription for how to be blessed in the Bible?

    You are likely familiar with the Beatitudes (the blessed be’s) found in Matthew 5:3-12 in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. That’s a summary of sorts of what the Bible teaches about being blessed. The Bible has a lot more to say on the subject.

    Now, we need to be careful when speaking of blessing, as the term is often misused. There is a form of pseudo-Christianity out there that teaches God wants you to have whatever you want in this life. That’s a heretical lie. God is more concerned about our holiness than our temporary earthly happiness.

    To be blessed is to find peace, hope, and joy in the Lord regardless of what is happening in our earthly circumstances.

    Here is a sampling of what the Bible teaches about finding your blessing.

    And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2

    Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7

    Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
    nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.     Psalm 1:1

    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

    How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Psalm 119:1

    I could carry on and list dozens of verses. From Genesis to Revelation, the Word speaks of the blessing of the Lord resting on those who are His.

    Jesus is the prescription for blessing. His way is narrow and not always easy, but it is the only pathway to true hope, peace, love, joy, and blessing.

    Turn to Him. Know Him. Trust Him. Put Him first and follow Him.

    Hallelu Yah,

    Be blessed,

    Kevin

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  • Moose Lake Ballet

    How grace filled are your words?

    Bull moose in winter
    Bull Moose in Winter

    You’ve heard of the Swan Lake ballet but probably  missed the Moose Lake Ballet. It’s not as graceful as the former, but it’s far more exciting.

    The setting is a dark country road. The players are a moose, a frozen lake (actually a pond, but give me some room for artistic license on that point), a driver, and a car.

    Some years ago, I was driving home from a friend’s house after dark. As I approached a bend in the road, a huge moose was hurrying across the lake headed in my direction.

    At the same time I braked, the moose saw the car. The moose quickly applied its brakes but couldn’t maintain its balance on the ice. Its front legs buckled under him. The moose crashed onto its face with a loud grunt and slid on the ice face first.

    With God’s protection, both driver and moose left the scene of a potentially very dangerous accident unharmed. After I got over the fright of the near miss, I could see the humor in the moose and his fall.

    Moose are not the most graceful animals in the forest, but falling like that is ungraceful even for a moose. 

    Like the moose and his sudden stop, sometimes we can be far less than graceful. Sometimes, that’s a lack of physical grace; more often, it’s a lack of grace in our words. Our words can do tremendous damage. 

    It’s no wonder Scripture is full of admonitions about the tongue.

    There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

    A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 ESV

    If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 ESV

    How’s your tongue? As graceful as a charging moose on ice? Or does it bring forth wells of love, blessing, and life?

    Until next time, may your tongue bring blessings, not curses.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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    Right living or right belief?

    Like skunks in a bucket

    Old porky – God is not a porcupine