The Simple Life

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James  5:19-20  (ESV)   Our goal in life should be reconciliation, not retaliation. Separation from God is disastrous beyond our comprehension, and, if we have the same mind as that of God, we will wish for all those around us to be reconciled to God.   Often it is difficult for us to live in a world that ignores God. But, unfortunately, those who ignore God act like they ignore God and live for the moment, using what they should love, and loving what they should use. This should not surprise us, but it should break our hearts. This should also motivate living in the context of knowing and loving God to point to Him.   Demonstrating who God is to a lost world is our greatest privilege. We must see this as a privilege and not a burden.   https:/...

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. James  5:16-17  (ESV)   Honest communication with God and one another is vital to our purpose. Elijah was concerned with the condition of the nation and felt helpless. Yet, he knew God could intervene and put these people on the right track. His concern was for the confused, lost, and hopeless. His prayer was simple and to the only one who could make a change. He prayed for crisis so the comfortable would begin to seek the only one that could bring comfort.   God honored his humble, loving prayer.   What are you and I praying for today?   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James  5:10-12  (ESV)   We are all good or bad examples. Those who know God and act like they know God are good examples. Those who do not know God continually demonstrate the "futile life."   Those who know and follow God find this life simple to live. We have one goal, to glorify our God, and to use all our time and resources to do just that. We do not have pages of regulations to check, sound bites to interpret, or legislation to read.   Pointing people to God is a simple task for all...

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8 (ESV)   Regardless of the circumstances, we can be thankful that God holds the future. This life is full of uncertainties, yet, in reality, there are no uncertainties with God. His mercy, love, and grace are always abundantly available, and His children's future is secure.   Those who know God patiently wait for Him to provide and sustain, and they will never be disappointed. Unfortunately, those who do not know God are continually disappointed. It's time to "establish our hearts" and prepare for God to care for our future https://www.podbean.com/relate365

We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and hope you are able to spend time thanking God for His many blessings as you are a blessing to your friends and family.   Psalm 34 (ESV)   I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!   I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.   Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.   Come, O children, ...

You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. James 5:5-6 (ESV)   It is impossible for someone who lives in luxury and self-indulgence to live in harmony with the righteous because they are mutually exclusive. Those who do what is right understand that their "riches" are tools for showing the world who God is, not for self-indulgence.   Once again, we do not promote God as one who does not want His children to enjoy the promised land; however, the fruit of the land rots quickly and is not meant to be hoarded. We are thankful for the fruit and enjoy it, yet our hope is never in the fruit, but in the one who provided it.   It is difficult for those who live in wealthy countries to remain focused on God because of the abundance of blessings we can enjoy. One day, we will all see the purpose of God's provision, and either be sorry ...

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. James 5:1-3 (ESV)   "A philosopher has said, "Though a man without money is poor, a man with nothing but money is still poorer." Worldly gifts cannot bear up the spirits from fainting and sinking when trials and troubles come, no more than a headache can be cured by a golden crown or toothache by a chain of pearls. "Earthly riches are full of poverty." "Biblical Illustrator   Riches, in any form, are to be used, not loved. When they are loved, they are out of place and cause the "lover" to make poor decisions that affect this life forever.   Things that have corroded are things that have done nothing but sit. Our "riches" are to be achieving a...