Listening and doing!

James 1: 16-27

Interpretation
Can the Word really save you?? No of coarse not. but those who obey what it says and believe in Jesus and his teaching can. I think one of the main messages in this passage is that when we read the word and really soak up what it is saying to us and not just reading it to be a "good Christian", then our lives will reflect what we read and we will remember what it says about our lives. It also says that when we do that we will also be blessed from the father
I think that what it says here can go along with the fist few verses of James, that when we read the scripture and we are indulged in it, we will be more readily equipped for when we are faced with trials and temptations.

Application.
I think that manyof us can take a lesson from this passage. to read our bibles more often than on sunday morning in the sermons. For me this is a great way for me to get back in the word and keepgrowing and following in way the lord has set before me. I would say that when he speaks of religion, that yes i do believe Christ is the son of God who died for our sins , yet to be deeper rooted in my faith i need his word to open up things that iwould not know appart from reading his word.
im not sure this makes sense to anyone,but it does to me.

trials and temptations

James 1:1-15


Observation
vs 10 he gives a really intersting word analogy. showing how seeds are planted in us when we are first Christians and we keep growing in Christ.

Interpretation
vs 12 sums these few verses up very well. " 12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
showing us that there is eternal rewards for doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord and for standing firm in what we believe.

Application
So often it seems we dont do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. yet itexplains very clearly that sin leads only one way and that is to death. This passage makes me think twice about watching those shows that i know will have a negative impact on me and lead me to sin. it makes me think twice about what i say when people ask me about why i belive in God or why am i a Christian. but the reality is, is that God smiles on us when we do face these temptations and when we do stand up for what is right. Even when we think these things are just to hard, we need to remember that there is eternal rewards for us in heaven.

Romans 13 vs 8-14

Love. it makes it sound so easy. i believe its true, that when we have Love we dont think of doing the things it list here murder, steal, covet, and commit adultry. another verse that comes to mind when i read this passage is Colossians 3 vs 7-10 "7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
its interesting to see how it speeks of love, and how if we live a life with out it our life is lost and is being ruined. yet we have been made in the image of our creater, and because of that we need to show his love to others.
for me it can be hard to show that kind of love 24/7. there are those times when i get rather upset with people. yet we need to clothe ourselfs with compassion, humility, kindness, gentleness, and patience ( colossians 3 vs12)