In Psalm 1:3 the person whose delight is the law of the Lord is compared to a tree planted by streams of water. Fresh streams result in fruitful seasons and healthy growth. Being Grounded in Truth & Growing in Grace provides the same spiritual benefits. The constant stream of truth from God’s word, coupled with His grace provides healthy spiritual growth - Christ in us, the result of the cross. Truth and grace are essential ingredients as we seek to make disciples of one another at LJBC and of others within our sphere of influence.
These first four words of the Bible have always gripped my attention. God doesn’t seek to explain or describe Himself. He merely states His existence and then begins to educate those reading about the Genesis (beginning) of the heavens and the earth. It’s profound when you think about it. God continues explaining the creation account, and the willing learner discovers much about God and His interaction with mankind. It is no surprise, that the veracity of the Genesis 1-12 has been attacked and debated for a long time. After all, didn’t the Serpent guide Eve into questioning God’s word in the Garden of Eden? Likewise, wasn’t that his plan of attack while tempting Jesus after 40 days of fasting? If the enemy can deceive you and I into questioning God’s Word about God’s creation account and the activities of mankind up through Abraham, he will have done his job well as the deceiver.
Beginning September 2023, we will consider the texts of Genesis 1 through 12. Our approach will be a literal interpretation, laying a foundation for the rest of God’s inspired word which tells the story of redemption for those who believe and follow Him. Among the things we will consider are:
In The beginning, God,
God’s creation account,
Mankind – created in the God’s image,
Knowing good and evil,
Out of the garden and into the world,
Demonic activity among men,
Noah’s adventure,
The original rainbow,
The Tower of Babel.
Join us as we embark on a journey together that begins In the beginning.
James uses strong language in chapter 4, verse 4 where he says, 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Several time in James, we find him giving his readers a truth to use as a tool to assess the genuineness of one’s faith. This verse declares those who are friendly with the world make themselves an enemy of God. In chapter 1:27 we find that, 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. To be stained or spotted by the world is different that being a friend of the world.
Here are some questions to help the believer assess if you are a friend of the world or if the world is seeking to woo you into a friendship.
1. Do I cultivate a lifestyle that resembles the world in my interests or pursuits?
2. What REALLY excites me? Or what do I seek first? Does the flash and glamour of the world drown out the spiritual?
3. Do I find myself undoing, or rationalizing Scripture in order to justify social norms of the day? This can easily be seen in the modern versus biblical definitions of sexuality. Or, within the Christian community, justifying not assembling with believers because I can worship God anywhere.
4. Which list characterizes my life? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control or biblically perverted relationships, arguing & bickering, drunkenness, envy
5. Who or what defines my roles in life? As a boy/girl or man/women, as a husband/wife, as a father/mother? Popular opinion? Washington or Hollywood? God’s Word?
6. How do I respond to life’s difficulties and disappointments? This is what James 4:1-6 addresses.
James challenges his readers to consider the genuineness of their faith in chapter 2:14-26. He likens useless faith to that of the demons who believe and tremble in verse 19. We invite you to listen to this 20 minute consideration of James 2:19, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” as you allow God to examine the genuineness of your faith. Click to listen: Is my faith genuine?
Upcoming Events
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