James 3, 4. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

James warns us not to make plans for tomorrow that are outside of God’s will.

Who is a greater planner than God Himself? Allowing God’s will to be in the driver’s seat is like turning your inner Spirit radio on and following it’s instructions.

While working on my daughter’s lawn tractor with my friend Ron, he asked, “How does a musician come up with engineering plans?” “It came up on my mind’s screen,” was my reply.

I’m no engineer, but my God is! He planned and built a universe.

James 2. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

My son-in-law pastors the church I attend. One of his major themes is that we were all made in God’s image. When we meet people, we don’t know how much is in their bank account or how much education they have or what kind of home they live in. We NEED to see that they were made in God’s image and give them appropriate honor for that.

When God chose Mary to birth Jesus, He “regarded the low estate of His handmaiden!” Hey, she was POOR.

Let’s get rid of our hypocrisies and treat everyone well. Start right now. Beware, they might ask you for some help ($$$).

James 1. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

When I place an Amazon order, my item always arrives either the next day or very soon after. Their reliability has generated my faith in their system.

James instructs us that we must have faith that God will give us wisdom when we ask for it. He’s bigger and greater than Amazon. Ask in faith. It’s coming!

Heb. 12 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The Beatles never thought their song would be my headline.

This chapter is a complete discourse on discipline and correction. God says He will shake everything. Whatever remains can endure eternity. So, let the shaking begin.

A significant point: Fathers are in charge of discipline and correction. It’s part of their job description. If dad is not around, then mom steps up and does it. Children NEED correction. You can’t be correct without correction.

When you’re in the shaking it no fun. But, the result is worth suffering for. God WILL have a people who are without spot or wrinkle.

Heb. 11 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Pastor Rod Parsley quoted Lester Sumrall as saying, “Faith is knowing God.”

Apart from God there really is no faith. We receive faith through God’s Word. We hear God’s Word at our believer gatherings when we hear His Word preached. We get to know Him through our personal study of the Bible. It can all be considered getting to know God better.

All of the accomplishments and exploits of the heroes of the Old Testament ONLY came by faith. As we know God better each day, we too can do mighty exploits for God through the faith He imparts.

Let faith arise!

Heb. 9, 10 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Christ is waiting until all His enemies will be made a footstool under His feet. The last enemy to be conquered is death.

Sometimes we have to wait until God’s processes are complete and our enemies are defeated. The waiting and trusting is good for us and makes us stronger.

God left resistance in The Promised Land so His people would become stronger through the warfare. We are in a spiritual warfare. The victory is promised to us, but we may be waiting for our enemy to be put under our feet. We are getting stronger through the process.

Heb. 6-8 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

God can’t remember the sins we committed that were washed in the Blood of Christ Jesus. (v, 12) Isn’t that AMAZING?! They were buried in the sea of His forgetfulness. My mentor, Moses Vegh, used to say that God put up a sign there that said, “No fishing.”

To have our sins forgiven and forgotten is one of the greatest miracles in the universe. Each time I pray the “Our Father,” I lean into “Forgive us our sins AS we forgive those who sin against us.” Then, I try to picture anyone I’m holding in my “despisery.” I purpose there and then to release them from my feeling against them. Try it!

Heb. 5 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Verse 8 of this chapter says Christ learned obedience from the things He suffered. He was perfect, but He had to grow up. Can’t you just hear His mother Mary saying, “Son, don’t touch that fire. It’ll burn You. … ‘Ouch’ … Didn’t I tell You?!”

So it is with us. We teach our children, but the lesson will be reinforced when they discover from their pain that Mama knows best.

We learn valuable lessons of life through our suffering. I trust you’ve said sometime or another, “I’ll NEVER do THAT again.”

Where do you get good judgement? From BAD.

Hebrews 1-5 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The High Priest was … able to exercise gentleness and forbearance toward the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is liable to moral weakness and physical infirmity.

This is an example of how God wants us to deal with others who don’t see as clearly about spiritual things as we do. This is especially critical in the home where children may not have progressed as we’d like in spiritual growth.

The servant of the Lord must be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [2 Tim 2:24, 25]

Christ Jesus is our great High Priest.

Titus 3 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In our current political environment there is much slander going on. I guess politicians feel they have to thump on their rivals to win. There are probably many wonderful, capable candidates who have just refused to go the route of slander. We’ll never hear about them.

I guess this admonition applies to the voters also. We should keep our mouths from slandering the candidates. (I repent. I have done it.)