James 3 (along with Matthew 5:9 and 12:33-37) show us the greatness of the tongue. It is a spark that can set a forest on fire. Some people enjoy setting fires (pyromaniacs). Some people are not consistent -- bearing olives and figs at the same time, blessing God and setting fires with the same mouth. And yet others will see a harvest of righteousness from their words that will give them assurance of faith. If we could just get the tongue under control, we could exercise self-control over the whole body. But what is impossible for us is possible for God.

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Labels: assurance, faith, James, Matthew, self-control, speaking

Ephesians 1:1-14 models passing the peace (1:2) and a prayer of adoration (1:3-14). Thus I reflected upon worship and how prayer is an essential element of worship and the passing of the peace is appropriate too. All worship is according to the pattern revealed in the word of God just as all prayer should be according to the pattern revealed in the word of God. The model and summary of right prayer is the Lord's Prayer and expanding on its first three petitions we have here a model prayer of adoration. It is a prayer blessing the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ because of election and adoption in Christ, redemption and reconciliation in Christ, and for the assurance of our inheritance. God tells us these things not only to give His people assurance but also so that all of the glory would go to Him alone.

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Labels: adoption, assurance, blessing, election, passing the peace, prayer

3 John shows us the apostle John like a grandfather/father figure to Gaius. Walking in the Spirit is here described as walking in the truth. And Gaius demonstrates that he is walking in the truth through his loving provision for missionaries. By way of contrast, Diotrephes does not welcome the message or messengers of God. The third person mentioned, Demetrius, is commended for walking in the truth. John knows that for Gaius that "it goes well with your soul" (3 John 1:2). Do you have the assurance that comes through walking in the truth?

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Labels: assurance, demetrius, diotrephes, gaius, john, mission, missionaries, soul, spirit, truth

3 John shows us the apostle John like a grandfather/father figure to Gaius. Walking in the Spirit is here described as walking in the truth. And Gaius demonstrates that he is walking in the truth through his loving provision for missionaries. By way of contrast, Diotrephes does not welcome the message or messengers of God. The third person mentioned, Demetrius, is commended for walking in the truth. John knows that for Gaius that "it goes well with your soul" (3 John 1:2). Do you have the assurance that comes through walking in the truth?

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: assurance, demetrius, diotrephes, gaius, john, mission, missionaries, soul, spirit, truth