Live By Faith

I was reading the book of Habakkuk and it was continually impressed on me that this could be written about America.

Our land is filled with wickedness and evil. There is the blood of the innocent on our hands. People (and the government) take what is not theirs. We scoff at the righteous. Wrong judgement proceeds from our courts.

There is hope though! We know that at the appointed time, Christ will reign! He will come back and sit on the throne of judgement. We must not grow weary in waiting because He will come!

Wars and Fighting

James 4:-6

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Many ask why God allows war if He is such a good God. Well, He gives us free will and war occurs because of selfish desires. We desire more than what we have so we fight and kill. Even if we do ask God for something, we won't receive it if we ask out of selfishness. We can not desire things of the world and things of God at the same time. If we want "success" in the eyes of the world, then we will be against the Lord.

However, if we humble ourselves before God, He will show us grace. We must make a choice-our pride or God.

Bring to the Storehouse

Fire from Heaven

Sermon from 12-6-15 at Morey Community Church

Handwriting Practice Review

I received a copy of Handwriting Practice to review.

Handwriting Practice

I chose to have my five year old complete the book. She could write her letters, but they weren't very neat. Handwriting Practice is perfect for her! She is learning how to properly form each letter and having fun at the same time. She is already showing improvement! She enjoys coloring the pictures on the pages and is looking forward to when she is writing the sentences that are further in the book.

The book is great for me as well. As a busy mother, it helps me to know that she is getting quality practice in forming her letters properly. She can just grab the book and go with very little guidance from me. Another benefit is the price. Right now it is just over $3 and if you have Amazon Prime, you'll get the free shipping and have it at your door in just two days. This is much more economical than printing the "free" worksheets that are so readily available on-line. Not only is it more economical, but it is all contained in one book instead of having lots of loose paper all over the house.

I was already using the Cursive Handwriting Workbook by Brookdale House with an older child and was loving it so I was sure I wouldn't be disappointed--and I wasn't!

Spiritual Gifts

Who is Wise?

James 3:13-18

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Wisdom

We all seek it. We all want to be known as wise. Here we are told to prove our wisdom by not showing off, but by living as a wise person.

A truly wise person is not full of bitterness, envy, or strife. Those thins are all of this world and stem from a life of selfishness.

True wisdom comes from God. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, giving, and easily lived. If you are truly wise, then you will not talk one way and live another. Your walk will demonstrate our wisdom.

Another benefit to true wisdom is that you will live peaceably with those around you.

May we seek true wisdom and strive to live it.

Thankfulness

Blessing and Cursing

James 3:7-12

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

When God created man, He put him in dominion of the earth--over all creatures. Man has been able to tame many animals-dogs, horses, birds, fish, etc., but man has yet mastered how to tame the tongue.

Our tongue can be very wicked. Many times we will curse others with our words. However, can we then turn around and praise God with that same tongue?

In all creation, everything is made for a purpose-an apple tree for apples, a spring for water, a dog to bring forth dogs. In no instance does a thing bring forth something not of itself.

If we praise God, we should not turn around and curse others with our tongue. It just shouldn't be.

I pray God would help me remember this and help me control my tongue.

Our Tongue

James 3:1-6

 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

I'm sure all of us have had moments when our tongue has gotten us in trouble! Our tongue may be a small part of our body, but it can do much damage.

James tells us that anyone who does not offend someone with their words is perfect. Controlling the tongue is a difficult matter and since Christ is the only perfect man on earth, we can only pray to control our tongue through His strength.

Our tongue can start a great fire; it can be a destroying fire or helping someone become on fire for God. Let us be careful of what we allow to come out of our mouths. May it lift and edify and be to God's glory.