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

James 2 (also read Matthew 5:7 and 5:17-20) is fairly difficult to apply in a Presbyterian church. After all, most Presbyterians assume that the seats in the back pew are the seats of honor. In any case, this message encourages sharing the gospel with the poor in word and deed as signs of genuine faith. The two major themes are partiality and works.

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Labels: faith, good works, honor, James, Matthew, partiality

James 1 (like selections from Matthew 7) tells us that believers should ask God for wisdom, believers should hear and do the word of God, and that not all who claim faith have it. James, in particular, tells us that we can deceive ourselves concerning God's character and promises (especially under trial when we might accuse God of tempting us), by hearing and not doing the word, and with worthless religion rather than religion that is pure and undefiled before God (i.e. visiting orphans and widows). May these warnings encourage your growth in the grace of God.

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Labels: faith, James, Matthew, temptation, trial, warning

Luke 1:39-56 is the inspiration for these reflections on the blessed Mary. She was a worthy wife for Joseph, made worthy by God through faith in His word. We do not elevate her to a status of divinity or even some sort of mediator role. But we call her blessed and imitate her faith. The idea of the worthy wife arises from the poem ending Proverbs and from Ruth 3:11. Mary, like Ruth and the Worthy Wife of Proverbs, is characterized by the fear of God (we call faith).

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Labels: faith, luke, mary, proverbs, ruth, wife

Psalm 128 is one of the songs of ascents that would be sung as the people (including Jesus) went up to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus sang this psalm knowing that entering the blessing meant the curse of the cross first. In this psalm we see a parallel to justification by faith -- being pronounced blessed by faith. And then as a blessed people, we do good works from which more blessings flow. More than this, Jesus is the head of the household of God and he says, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Father." And so we follow His lead and believe -- receiving faith and repentance with empty hands and then using those hands to labor in His church.

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Labels: blessing, faith, Psalms, repentance, song of ascents

Psalm 128 is one of the songs of ascents that would be sung as the people (including Jesus) went up to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus sang this psalm knowing that entering the blessing meant the curse of the cross first. In this psalm we see a parallel to justification by faith -- being pronounced blessed by faith. And then as a blessed people, we do good works from which more blessings flow. More than this, Jesus is the head of the household of God and he says, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Father." And so we follow His lead and believe -- receiving faith and repentance with empty hands and then using those hands to labor in His church.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: blessing, faith, Psalms, repentance, song of ascents