Category: Behavior - Jethro TOOLS

Restored

3/16/2025

Romans 6
The old shed on the back corner of our property seemed like a worthy investment. So in the spring, after thinking and planning repairs all winter, I started. The building had settled and rotted its original support beams, requiring the foundation to be rebuilt. Once the shed was level and stable the roof and the door were replaced to keep the structure dry and free from roaming critters. Since the outside was able to withstand the extremes of weather, I turned my attention to the inside to make the shed functional. A simple shelf and some hooks made a once rundown and deteriorated building useful again. In many ways we are like an old shed. God sees us, and purchases us, to restore us to the functional purpose that He designed us to be. In Romans chapter 6, Paul calls this process sanctification. From the point of salvation, God begins a process of removing the practice of sin from the life of the believer. The control of sin is broken (1-14) through what Christ has accomplished on the cross for us. But God does not just leave us there. He wants to restore us to the true servants that He originally intended us to be. There is a change that takes place as the believer no longer serves sin, but gives the control of their life to God (15-23). Gradually, the practice of sin is replaced with purity and a righteous life that pleases God. Sanctification is God’s life long process that He works in us to restore us to His standard. Speaking of our relationship with Jesus, Peter writes, “like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You Shall Be Holy, For I Am Holy. (1 Peter 1:15). What we believe will change the way that we live. What we live will prove what we truly believe.

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Priority of Prayer

10/16/2022

James 5:13-20
Have you ever had someone stop and pray for you? It is amazing how that moment in time can change your perspective regarding the difficult life situation at hand. This week I had someone stop and pray for me, and it encouraged me to pause and trust God yet again for the difficulties I was facing. On the other hand, over the course of this week, I have had the chance to pray with and for others involved in various situations. I realized that I was incapable of bringing a solution to the situation, but by faith I trusted God to work His solution. In these verses, James wants his audience to pray to God about their personal situations (13). However, we as people often do everything else and talk to everyone else but God. James challenges his audience to call others to pray over them when they have been spiritually weakened and have lost faith in God (14-16). He wants his audience to see that faith in God in impossible situations is possible. James illustrates this by giving the example of Elijah as one who prayed and saw God respond (17-18). As James closes the book, he provides an encouragement and challenge to rescue and restore those who have wandered from their faith in Christ (19-20). Today we can still display the reality of our faith by praying in the good and bad times. We can encourage the faith of others who have become weak by praying for them and we can share the burden of restoring the faith of others. Our faith is strengthened when we pray because we practice our belief in God by calling out to Him regarding the situation. May God help us see the value and necessity of a mature faith that prays. Who are you praying for and who is praying for you?

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Priority of Patience

10/9/2022

James 5:7-12
Fall time is here and the garden is just about done producing. Over the course of the summer seeds have been planted and we watched them sprout. With the proper sunlight, fertilizer and water the plants have grown and produced a harvest that we could only dream about just a few months ago. Gardners and farmers: work the ground in preparation for harvest, weed the ground for a pure harvest, and patiently wait for the harvest. All crops take a certain amount of time, water, and sunlight to grow. We just need the patience to wait for them to grow. In this passage James first provides a simple spiritual challenge or exhortation. This challenge is then followed by two examples of how others displayed a patient faith. James then adds two specific ways to practice or exercise patience and thus display their faith in God. The general challenge or encouragement is to live a life of patience (7). This is followed by the example of patience in waiting as seen in the farmer (7-8), and the prophets plus Job and their patience in pain (10-11). James also provides the practical ways to exercise the practice of patience by not grumbling (9) and being reliable in the promises that are made (12). We may struggle at times with a lack of patience, but have we thought about how it reflects our faith in Christ? When we live patiently under trials we will patiently long for the day of Christ’s return. When we speak with patience it reflects our faith in God even in times of frustration. When we live a life of patient faith we are an active witness of God’s transforming power that enables us to endure. This week, may we be patient people who display the greatness of our God.

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Sharing of Resources

10/2/2022

James 5:1-6
Do you know where the monetary coin the penny came from? Originally, the root word itself was used across various European countries to describe a financial coin. Later a powerful Anglo Saxon king named Offa, created the first English penny, around 765-775, that was actually made out of silver. As the years progressed, and pennies were spent in various transactions, the usage of the word eventually spread into literature. In 1522, Sir Thomas More wrote a book titled Four Last Things. In this book ,he is the first one to actually record the famous phrase; “A penny for your thoughts.” The meaning behind this is that one person in a conversation has fallen silent and thoughtful. The other person then gently asks for them to reengage in the conversation by stating, “A penny for your thoughts.” That gentle persuasive tone is not what we see James using as he opens chapter five. Instead James gives a strong warning about the misdirected worldly priorities of possessions and wealth. James calls out to the wealthy in his audience and reminds them that riches have brought misery, which is the result of trusting their wealth and not placing their faith in God (1). James says that their priorities (2-3) and their practice (4) are out of order. They are seeking to save and serve themselves by hoarding what God has given them. The result is that they have missed the purpose of wealth by being Godly stewards (5-6). Instead of sharing the blessings of God with others, they have squandered God’s blessings on themselves. As a result, they are unable to see their coming destruction. For us today a life of faith lives believing that God owns everything, that God provides everything that I own, and that God has called me to manage, not hoard, what He has given. A penny for your thoughts?

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Submission of Life

9/25/2022

James 4:11-17
The cool morning air caused me to grab a jacket on the way out the door. During my normal morning trail walk with the dog I met one of the regular walkers who smiled and said, “I did not recognize you, but I recognized your dog.” We shared a good laugh and then continued on our separate ways. As I walked away I began to think about what had just been said. As a believer in Jesus Christ, God wants my life to be so in tune with Him and submissively under His control that others see Him first. My conversation reminded me to be submissive to God in all areas of my life so others will see Jesus first before they see me. In the closing part of James chapter four, we are reminded to submit our life to God in two areas that we struggle with even today. The first area is our speech and specifically judging others (11-12). When we judge we demand that others conform to our imperfect standard rather than God’s. In doing so we elevate our selves to be more important than others. However, a life of faith willingly submits to God’s view that we are all sinners in need of God’s perfect correction through His perfect grace. Secondly, James addresses the worldly issue of self sufficiency that seeks to be in control of life (13-16). James helps us see that a life of faith will humbly submit to God who knows all and His perfect plans. Living by what God has made clear is a life submitted to Him and His authority (17). James reminds us that a submissive life lives by faith by trusting God’s authority in what is right in the present and His plans for our future. When others look at us who do they see? Do they see Jesus first?

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Submission of Desires

9/18/2022

James 4:1-10
In a number of combat or wrestling type sports there is a universal term and signal for submission called a “tap out.” This submission is the result of one opponent being placed in a position that chokes them or strains an arm or leg joint. The one under the control of their opponent taps the other person or the floor several times with their hand before further injury is sustained. This tap signals to the referee that they have given up and are submitting the victory to their opponent. As we move into James 4 the emphasis is now on submission to God and not our worldly selfish ways. Our worldly way of thinking tells us to insist on our own way. However, that form of thinking and operation is selfish and lacks faith in God. James opens this chapter by asking his audience about the source of their conflicts (1). He points out that conflict is the result of worldly personal and selfish desires (2-3). Worldliness is a love for the power, possessions, and positions of this world over and above a love for God. James says that a love for the things of the world and a love for God can’t exist together. In saying this he challenges the spiritual unfaithfulness of his audience (4). Thankfully, he does not leave his readers without hope. In verses 7-10 James gives the solution to this conflict. He notes that the selfish condition of worldliness finds its cure only in the grace offered through Jesus Christ and humbly submitting to His authority. Today, our situation is not all that different. It is easy to allow the self-centered attitudes of our world to influence our thoughts and action. We need faith to let God be the authority in our life and the humility to submit. That is what you call a spiritual tap out.

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Control of the Heart

9/11/2022

James 3:13-18
Years ago I remember reading Famous Monkey Last Words by Paul White. This book is part of a children’s series where the author uses animal characters to teach a spiritual truth. The main characters are a wise giraffe, a friendly but strong hippo, and a mischievous monkey named Toto. Through out the various stories Toto is the one who places himself in difficult circumstances all because he has not acted wisely. In Famous Monkey Last Words, the curious Toto wanted to see a zebra. The giraffe, as his teacher, had told him to never stand behind a zebra. However, Toto did not listen and walked right up behind the zebra and smacked it with some thorns. Well, you can imagine what happened! The zebra kicked, and the little monkey Toto went flying. He had been taught and reminded, but he did not apply the knowledge to his life. In the final verses of James 3, the author records a thought provoking question by asking, “Who is wise?” (13). James says that wisdom is proven by living out what you know to be true with humility. True wisdom does not act in self centered ways (14) which point to an ungodly alliance with Satan (15) and leads to a life of disorder (16). The alternative for disorder is living by God’s wisdom (17). The rule of God and His wisdom in our lives is displayed through the purity of an upright life that seeks God’s peace (18). James wants his audience to see that the internal issues of the heart directly impact our speech and life. God’s wisdom will change our speech and life as we allow God to change our heart and thoughts. There are many things that may cause us to lack peace. When we ask God for wisdom, (see James 1:5), and submit by faith, believing that His ways are best, He will give peace.

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How Faith Behaves Under Influence

7/31/2022

James 2:1-13
In the heat of summer going to an Ice Cream shop is a treat. Behind the glass case is wide selection of cold ice cream just waiting for you. There are choices of candy flavors, chocolate flavors and fruit flavors. If you are like me it is hard to make a choice, but we always seem to go back to the certain flavors that we prefer. What flavor would you choose? We like flavors that not only taste good but also in some way make us feel good. Perhaps a specific flavor brings back a memory of a special time or a special place. We choose what we do because we like it and the benefits it brings. However, do we treat people in much the same way? Of all the types and personalities of people which ones are we attracted to? Typically, we like the ones that like us and that benefit us. That problem, favoritism, is the problem that James addresses as he begins chapter 2. He starts with a command to not allow faith to be incorrectly influenced by favoritism (1). Historically this was a problem in the church as people would show preference to the important and wealthy (2-4). James points out that honor based on wealth is incorrect (5-7). Instead, James says, true love is shown without partiality (8). Our service is not to be based on what someone can give. Instead our service is based on the correct understanding and practice of mercy (12-13). The problem is our world promotes that we deserve more of what we like. We must remember that we are undeserving and that our blessing comes from God. We should always seek to elevate Christ and His mercy, and also seek our blessing from God as we serve unconditionally just as Jesus served us.

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Responding to God's Word

7/24/2022

James 1:19-27
Have you ever put dish soap in your dishwasher or washing machine? You may have run out of regular soap and thought that this other which is called soap will do the same job in cleaning. The difficulty is that regular dish soap is concentrated and needs only a small bit to make a sink full of suds that help clean dishes. Dish soap can become over activated and produce a bunch of useless foam. The correct soap will act appropriately and clean without all the mess. Like using the correct soap we also need to correctly use the word of God in the mess of life’s trials and temptations that we face daily. That is what James is trying to help his audience understand and then put into use. In the final portion of chapter 1 James describes how a stable faith will use the word of God. We must willingly receive the message of God’s word without debate (19-21). He challenges his readers to accept the truth of God’s word and allow it to grow. This leads to a personal response to the truth of the word and application of it (22-25). The measurement of true spiritual growth is found in not only accepting, but personally applying the word of God to life. James moves on by stating that the truth of God’s word in us must be seen through us (26-27). In other words, our claim about being saved by Jesus and being spiritually changed is not to be kept to ourselves. The problem that James is addressing here is still in existence today. We must receive the word, respond to the word, and then reveal the truth of God’s word to others. Our lives are like useless foam when we do not allow faith in God and His word to transform our life and action.

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The Problem of Temptation

7/17/2022

James 1:13-18
Earthquakes can be very dangerous because you never expect them. The ground heaves and shakes all because of the seismic shifts happening deep below the earth’s surface. The various tectonic plates that our world sits on shift and ever so slightly the surface that we live on also moves. However violent the initial earthquake, the aftershocks, or following quakes, may be just as deadly. Weakened or damaged buildings can collapse under the continued movement and stress. Just as in an earthquake weakens buildings so the temptation of sin has a way of weakening our resistance and it ultimately leads to death (15). But God desires to work His positive purpose over temptation in our life. James provides a warning that sin deceives us into seeing it as good (16), but God is the only one who gives what is good (17). God does not change and works His will to bring life to a life that was spiritually lifeless (18). His desire is to transform us so we begin to show the resulting fruit of His work in us with the promise of more to come. The problem for us today, like the scattered audience of James, is that we have a tendency to blame God for the temptation we face. That is a big spiritual earthquake that will lead to other continued problems. God is not the source of temptation and sin (13). In blaming God we inaccurately believe that God is faulty and we are shaken again in our weakened position by the evil of temptation (14). What is influencing your life and decisions right now? Is it God and His power to bring His good result out of your life or the lure of temptation to sin? James is reminding us that temptation should never shake us off the stability that our faith has in God who gives what is good.

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The Purpose of Trials

7/10/2022

James 1:1-12
Do you know what an anagram is? An anagram is when you take a word or phrase and rearrange the letters to make a different word or phrase by using all of the letters only once. For example, some simple ones would be heart that turns into earth, part becomes trap, or secure that becomes rescue. Try it with any word and see what you can come up with. In fact why don’t we try one together! Let’s take the word trial. An anagram of trial could be trail. As we begin a new study in the book of James, we see that the author wants his audience to develop a faith that is lived out in everyday life and displayed through their actions, and attitudes that motivate their actions. James begins the first chapter by noting that faith in Jesus Christ brings stability to life in the midst of trials. A trial is simply God allowing difficulty and or pain to deepen and encourage our confidence in Him. James notes that trials have the purpose of growing an enduring faith in God (2-4). The practice of faith in trials causes us to seek God’s wisdom (5-8) which requires personal humility (9-11). James says that God will reward this life of faith (12). To summarize, James is not interested in his audience simply stating that they have faith. His desire is that they have a faith that impacts their behavior. Perhaps put another way, James wants his audience to view trials as a way to walk the trail of faith that God has for each believer. As we walk by faith down the trail of trial we humbly depend on God for the wisdom and strength to endure. This week may your faith impact your perspective of your trial so you can see that this is God’s way to grow you as you walk His trail.

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