Prison Ministries

Posts Tagged ‘James 1’

Read James 1, Psalm 92
The Growth Pill Called Pain

“He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:2

Whether in plants, churches, or people, there is one universal growth principal of nature and of God that we all need to know. It is called pruning.

Any gardener or plant husbandry expert will tell you that you get bigger and better fruits or flowers by regularly pruning excess branches so that all of the nutrients from the soil, water, and air will be channeled into fewer branches.

Every church or body of believers is a living organism that will wither on the vine and eventually die out if all of the distractions and excess baggage of human agendas and self-centered motives are not cut out so that all of the talents and resources can be focused on the great commandment and the great commission.

In the journey of life of every believer, God’s recipe for growing into the fullness of Christ will always include pruning. Before we can be “fruitful in every good work for which we were created,” there are many excess branches that need to be trimmed or cut off so that we will be healthy and bear good fruit in abundance.

We believers need to understand and respond to the failures, disappointments, and heartaches of life with the joy of knowing that God is using them to develop our character as He conforms us into the image of Christ.

Only the supernatural grace of God working through the power of the Holy Spirit can give us the grace and the peace to “count it all joy.”

If our trouble is not a consequence of sin, we can be assured that it is God’s character- building program at work within us, and we can have the joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding even in times of trouble.

Father, give me the grace to “count it all joy.”.In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read James 1, Psalm 26
Pruning or Punishment

“But I know! I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9 NLT

Whether we are being disciplined by God as punishment for our sins, or pruned by God in order that we may become more fruitful, it hurts just the same. Read the rest of this entry »

Read James 1, Psalm 107
Is God a Legalistic?

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“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10, 11

Where does anyone get the idea that God is a kill joy? Nothing could be further from the truth. Rather than rob us of joy and pleasure, God’s moral code is designed to lead us to know joy to the fullest.

In the area of sexuality, university studies show that people who live out their sexuality God’s way report 39% higher sexual enjoyment, far fewer divorces, and far fewer problems with adultery, disease, and guilt.

When it comes to enjoying life to its fullest, Jesus reminds us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Financial wealth has no real value apart from a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:21 NLT).

If we parents, being evil, try to protect our children by setting limits for them, how much more does our Heavenly Father protect us by providing us with a moral code designed to help us live life to the fullest God’s way.

God blesses us when we are meek, humble, and pure in heart, when we thirst after righteousness, and when we are peacemakers.

Would a kill joy come to earth as a man, live a perfect life, and suffer the torments of hell in order that we might escape the torments of hell?

Father, thank you for loving me enough to not only die for me but to show me how to live life to the fullest in Your peace and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read James 1, Job
Tested and Approved

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Download to your iPod or iPhone Tested And Approved.mp3

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” 1 Peter 1:6 NIV

Job has been a book of encouragement to believers for generation after generation. The example of one, who was dearly loved and approved by God, being subjected to such tragedy, pain, and suffering as a test of faith is something we might all take to heart when testing comes.

Whenever you get down and depressed, look at the restoration and reward of Job for His faithfulness, and you will receive encouragement and strength to persevere.

The perseverance of the Saints is a principle tenet of our faith and life in Christ. It is God’s character-development course for spiritual fitness.

God brings or allows tests in order to inspect, detect, correct, and perfect our total faith and trust in Him. Also, He uses tests to reveal His strength and His faithfulness to us.

There is no way we can better experience God’s strength than when ours fails and no better way to experience God’s mercy than when we receive it. We cannot grow into the fullness of Christ without experiencing some of the pain and suffering He endured for our sake.

When trials come, we need to first judge ourselves. If our self judgment reveals no reasons for being chastened, we can be assured that God is at work conforming us into the fullness of Christ.

We must always remember that God never wastes a hurt, and that He sometimes even uses the hurts inflicted upon us by others for His working all things for our good and His glory.

Pray with me..
Father, thank you for Your promise that You will not give us trials without Your all-sufficient grace and more than adequate strength to persevere through them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.