Jesus loves you

@Livingwater Study 8B...Grace that is unlimited James 4:6-17 What if obeying God is not just dreary duty—going through the motions to avoid God's wrath or earn his favor? What if following Christ is pure joy—living in loving response to a grace so profound that it changes all our motivations and affections? Far from encouraging sin, this biblical understanding of grace fuels and empowers the obedience that God commands. 4 . Clean up your life inwardly and outwardly (verse 8 ) Compare 2 Corinthians 7:1. Now that we are Christians there are things that we must ““put to death”” (Colossians 3:5-9). One translation of James 4:8 is: “”Realise that you have sinned, and get your hands clean again; realise that you have been disloyal, and get your heart made clean once more””; and if you say, ‘‘I cannot do this’’, the answer is that you can, for ““God gives us more grace””! 5 . Stop pulling one another to pieces (verses 11 -12 ) This critical faculty, which we all possess, must ...

@Livingwater Study 8A.. UNLIMITED STORES OF GRACE THE LETTER OF JAMES Scripture Portion: James 4:6-17 Five wonderful words in James 4:6 provide the key to this study – _ ““He gives us more grace””. Here we learn the glorious truth that there is an adequate supply of grace to enable each of us to live a life of victory day by day. At every point of need ““He gives us more grace””. Notice three things here:- (1) The giver is God. What a great giver He is! –- look up 1 Timothy 6:17. (2) What He gives is grace; this is the unmerited favour that God shows to those who are guilty and undeserving. It is God’’s blessing given to His people. There are four kinds of grace: (1) Saving grace (Ephesians 2:8-10); (2) Sanctifying grace (2 Corinthians 9:8); (3) Sustaining grace (2 Corinthians 12:8-9); and (4) Serving grace (Hebrews 12:28). (3) This grace is always available and adequate, and it is ours for the taking. When we receive His grace He says, ‘’Come back again when you need some ...

@Livingwater Happy new month! Study 7B..Coming near to Him.He will take care of your case.... James 4:8,Hosea 6:6 But without knowledge it does not lead to salvation. Now here is the relevance of this thought when we come to this passage in Hebrews 10:19-22 . In these verses there is one main, straightforward command, namely, "Draw near!" That is what this writer wants you to do. Draw near. Look at these verses: there is only one exhortation, once you pull away all the defining and qualifying phrases and clauses. Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our body washed with pure water. 4 . Come near to God with your problem, and He will undertak...

@Livingwater Happy new month! Study 7A COMING NEAR TO GOD: PRECEPT AND PROMISE THE LETTER OF JAMES Scripture Portion: James 4:8-12 In James 4:8 there is a precept, something we are to do – – “Come near to God””; there is also a promise, something God will do when we play our part – – “and he will come near to you.”” In one sense we are always near to Him (Psalm 139:7-10; Acts 17:27-28); in another sense, because He is holy and we by nature are sinful, we are estranged from Him (Ephesians 4:18). The amazing thing is that God invites, urges and pleads with us to come to Him, a fact that is reiterated throughout the Bible, and this is what James is saying. But how can sinful men and women come near to a holy God? There are three requirements:- (1) We must come in faith (Hebrews 11:6). (2) We must come through Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 10:19). (3) We must come sincerely (Hebrews 10:22). The important thing is that we do come near, for then God guarantees that H...

@Livingwater Study 6B .Tongue We will be checking on the wrong and right use of our tongue,the power of death and life is right there on our tongue. 1 . THE WRONG USE OF THE TONGUE (1) Blaming God when tempted to do wrong (James 1:13-14). God never tempts us to sin; temptation arises when a man is lured away by his own lust. (2) Speaking hypocritically (James 1:26). It is easy to do this, and what a terrible statement about this very thing is found in Titus 1:16! (3) Expressing discrimination between rich and poor fellow-believers (James 2:1-4). Discrimination between people’’s colour, background, race and status in life can be thoroughly un-Christian. (4) Speaking unsympathetically to those in need (James 2:15-16). With so much poverty in our world, we need to search our hearts. (5) Boasting and flattering, thus causing a destructive fire (James 3:5). Just one word can cause a family upset or division in a church; see James 3:14. (6) Grumbling against each other (James 4:...

@Livingwater Study 6A THE RIGHT AND WRONG USE OF THE TONGUE THE LETTER OF JAMES Scripture Portion: James 3:1-12 It was the late Canon Guy King who used to say that the subject expounded in James 3:1-12 was in everybody’’s mouth! What a vital subject this is, and how much we need to take note of the teaching of God’’s Word about the right and the wrong use of the tongue! The fact is that our tongues may be used helpfully, for the glory of God and for the blessing of others; or they may be misused, bringing sorrow and tears to others, and in the process hindering the testimony of the Lord. The fact that throughout his letter James has much to say about this matter suggests that those he had in mind were guilty of committing what Matthew Henry calls ‘’tongue sins’’. So James shows us very pointedly that the tongue of a Christian is the indicator of that Christian’s spiritual health. Our speech reveals what kind of a Christian we are. In order to emphasise this fact James uses thre...

@Livingwater Study5B..Act of Faith James 2:14-26 Do you know you've been given a very special gift? It's faith! The Act of Faith prayer captures its essence. With faith God gives each of us supernatural grace to trust in Him and in His word completely. 3 . Saving faith begins when we hear the message of the gospel and believe that Christ is both able and willing to save us . Romans 10:17 is an important verse; we hear the message of the gospel (for example, John 3:16), and we believe it; we read 1 Timothy 1:15, and we believe it; we read Romans 10:13, and believe that Christ is the only Saviour and that He will save all who come to Him and trust Him to save them. So far, however, faith (believing) is only a matter of the head, an intellectual assent. Will this belief save us? No! We can believe all that, and remain unsaved. For example: (1) The woman who touched (Mark 5:25-34). When she came to the Lord Jesus she believed He was able to heal her, but this believing di...

@Livingwater Study 5A... FAITH THAT DOESN’’T WORK IS DEAD! THE LETTER OF JAMES Scripture Portion: James 2:14-26 It is fruitless for us to say that we have faith if our faith is not demonstrated by good works. This is what James is saying in James 2:14-17, 20, 26. Our faith must work, otherwise we have no right to say that we have faith. Martin Luther was very concerned about the Letter of James, and even called it ‘‘an epistle of straw’’. Undoubtedly one reason was that he felt it contained no exposition of the gospel, and seemed to contradict Paul by making out that salvation is not by faith but by works. At first sight James does seem to contradict Paul; for example, compare what Paul says in Romans 4:1-5 and what James says in James 2:21-24. How do we reconcile these, when one says we are saved and justified by faith apart from works, and the other says that “a person is justified by what he does”? There is no contradiction here, as we consider this:- 1 . Faith in Christ ...

@Livingwater Study 4B..True and pure religion James 1:27 Another portion of living a life of pure religion would be keeping oneself unstained or unspotted by the world. What does it mean by unstained? Paul wrote to Timothy “ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ ” (1 Tim 6:13-14). The context of being unstained is staying free of things that would bring reproach upon a person. Of Christ it was said that “ it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Heb 7:26) so being unstained is refraining from becoming filthy in the sins of humanity. You can do all kinds of good for the widows and orphans but it if your life is stained by reproachful sins, then you cannot be pra...

@Livingwater Study 4A RELIGION: THE TRUE AND THE FALSE THE LETTER OF JAMES Religion is the WORST thing that has ever happened to this world; Countless Billions of souls have been doomed to Hellfire by false religion. Learn what the Bible has to say on the matter. I expose many false religions... not to be unkind... but because the truth has been hidden from the world's masses. Just remember, religion didn't die on the cross for you—Jesus Christ did! Scripture Portion: James 1:26-27 The word ‘‘religion’’ is used in one good sense in the New Testament –- here in one of our key-verses. Nowhere in the Bible are we exhorted to preach religion, but always to preach Christ. Look up and compare Acts 8:5 and 8:35. Pure religion is the outworking of that which God first of all works in us. Everyone is religious, because all are born with a religious instinct, but to say that we are religious is not necessarily to say anything good about ourselves. Dictators have been known for...

@Livingwater Study3B...Implanted Word of God James 1:18-25 Last time we were able to do a thorough study on the Implanted word of God,His benefits,blessings that back it up....we will continue on the same study. The word of God as a mirror.take your time and go through,it has the ability to change and transform your life.God bless you. 4 . We are to come to the Word of God and use it as a mirror to show us our true state ; then we are to adjust our lives accordingly In verses 23-25 James uses an interesting simile. It is of a man looking at his face in a mirror; he sees that it is dirty, but he does nothing about it. He might just as well have not looked into the mirror. What should we do then? How should we use God’’s Word as a mirror? We should peer into it, as we see from the meaning of the words in verses 23-25. We should look at ourselves in the mirror of the Word, not casually, but with a view to seeing our true state –- because we can only see our face with the help of ...

@Livingwater Study 3A ACCEPTING THE IMPLANTED WORD THE LETTER OF JAMES Scripture Portion: James 1:18-25 It is significant that in his letter James includes a section about the nature of God’’s Word, and the way in which believers are to use it each day. It is impossible to live a life that is well-pleasing to the Lord unless we know how to use our Bible properly. Carefully study James 1:18-25 and notice the following:- 1 . Three ways in which James describes the Word of God (1) ““The word of truth”” (verse 18). The definite article is here: the Bible is not ‘‘a’’ word but ‘’the’’ word of truth, which tells us that it stands alone; it is unique (Psalm 119:160), and compare Psalm 119:43; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15. The word of truth is the whole of God’’s verbal communication which has been given to man and which is now contained in the inspired canon of Scripture. (2) “”The word planted in you”” (verse 21). Notice the definite article again. There is only...

@Livingwater Study 2B..True wisdom James 1:5-8.. We have been able to  looked upon the first and second point of this study,by the grace of God we have been able to know what the true wisdom is and also know may be we need it.after all these we shall continue to check  on how do we get this particular wisdom .what made it particular is the true added to it.that mean there are varieties of wisdom.God bless you as you study..... 3 . CAN WE HAVE IT ? Yes, we can! Notice that James says, “”If any of you…”…” The reference is to every Christian, or as verse 2 reminds us, to ““my brothers””, to those who are children in the family of God – look up John 1:11-13. Not only can we know that God wants us to be pure, holy and peaceable, but we can actually be like this. It is God’’s will that we should be so. We can have the heavenly wisdom, we can translate into our daily lives the truth we learn from God’’s word, so that our lives demonstrate the truth –- look up Titus 2:10. 4 ...

@Livingwater Study 2A TRUE WISDOM AND HOW TO GET IT THE LETTER OF JAMES Scripture Portion: James 1:5-8 James 1:5-8 might be described as a classic passage. It is a well-known section of scripture and contains basic Christian teaching. The subject is clearly defined and may be entitled, ‘‘Heavenly wisdom: what it is and how to get it’’. A careful look at these verses will prompt several important and practical questions, each of which is clearly answered in the passage. 1 . WHAT IS IT ? We must understand what James means when he says, “”If any of you lacks wisdom…”…” What is this wisdom? Is this a promise for guidance in times of perplexity? Is this a promise for special insight and illumination when this is needed? Is the reference to intellectual knowledge or learning alone? These are most certainly included in the wisdom which we read about here, but this is a very practical thing and it has to do with the way a Christian lives. So it is not only intellectual: it is experi...

@Livingwater Study 1B...Spiritual maturity.. James 1:1-4,12 Jesus came to offer life to the fullest (John 10:10) and He invites us to follow Him towards that end. If we know that we need help and that help comes from listening and following Jesus then as we reach out for Him He will lead us into spiritual maturity. Here are the remaining few step to spiritual growth...God bless you 4 . We must take our place as a slave. When James calls himself ““a servant of God”” he means that he is His slave. This implies absolute obedience. A slave knows no law but the word of his master. He has no rights of his own. His master literally owns him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). To be a slave also implies utter loyalty –- pledged to his master. His own profit, and even his comforts, do not matter. What a privilege to be a slave of the Lord Jesus! 5 . We must expect our faith to be tested , and must submit to the Lord in all His dealings with us . James takes this up in verses ...

@Livingwater Series 14 Study 1A THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY THE LETTER OF JAMES There are many ways that people can grow in spiritual maturity but there is one major step to take before any of it can happen! We have to first make the step of recognizing that we need help. Found in the Bible in Mark 2:17 Jesus tells his listeners, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Scripture Portion: James 1:1-4, 12 It is generally accepted that the writer of this letter was James, a brother of the Lord Jesus, known to the early Church as James the Just. He, with others in his family, were opponents of Christ, as we learn from Mark 3:21 and John 7:1-10. His conversion came about after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). Later he believed, and became bishop, or leader, of the Jerusalem church. His letter was written to the whole church, for the reference to “”the twelve tribes”” in verse 1 is a symbolic descript...

@Livingwater Study10B...His return.. Song of song 8:14 Here, then, is the picture of the Bridegroom. He is altogether lovely, He is the outstanding one among ten thousand, He is the Beloved One, He is preparing a home for all who love and belong to Him, and He is soon coming to take them to that heavenly Home. Now see the picture of the waiting bride. 2 . HOW THE BRIDE IS DESCRIBED What are we told about the bride? (and remember the Bride is the Church, which is composed of individual believers). (1) Her overflowing joy. First, we are told that as she waited for her lord she waited “”joyfully””, and this should be the experience of each one who is waiting for the Lord Jesus to come again. We should be filled with the joy that comes through sins forgiven (1 John 2:12); through humble obedience to our Lord (Acts 13:52); and through the knowledge that our names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). Are we joyful as we anticipate His return? –- look up 1 Peter 1:8, and compare the ...

@Livingwater Study 10A. LOOKING FOR THE BRIDEGROOM’’S RETURN THE SONG OF SOLOMON Key-verse: ““Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains”” (Song of Songs 8:14) It is surely a very significant thing that in the Song of Songs, which portrays Christ as the heavenly Bridegroom and the Church as His Bride, the closing verse links up with the glorious truth of the Second Advent. The Bible ends in exactly the same way (Revelation 22:20) –- ““He who testifies to these things says, ‘’Yes, I am coming soon.’’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”” This is the cry of the waiting Bride for her Bridegroom. This is what the bride of old said, “”Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.”” The rendering of this in the Amplified Bible reads like this:- “”(Joyfully the radiant bride turned to him, the one altogether lovely, the chief among ten thousand to her soul, and with unconcealed eagerness to begin he...

@Livingwater Study 9B...Leaning on Him We have considered some of the questions that came up from the text of the study.we will be considering the remaining .God bless you as you study.... 3 . ““WHO IS THIS ?”” – She is the Bride coming up from the wilderness , leaning (on her Lover ). She comes up leaning! and how significant is this indication of the bride’’s posture, for in the process and experience of salvation, of sanctification and of service our attitude as the Bride, as individual believers, must ever be one of leaning upon our Lover, our heavenly Bridegroom. Why did she lean, and what did her leaning indicate? (1) She was weak in herself –- look up 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. (2) She believed he could and would support her –- look up Jude 24. (3) The journey was long and arduous –- look up Acts 21:1-16! (4) She needed his wisdom –- (James 1:5); she needed him to guide her (Proverbs 3:6); she needed his provision (Philippians 4:19); and she needed his protection (Deutero...

@Livingwater Study 9A  LEANING ON OUR BELOVED THE SONG OF SOLOMON Key-verse: ““Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover?…”…” (Song of Songs 8:5-7) The section of scripture we are to study begins with an arresting question, which was evidently asked by the daughters of Jerusalem as they saw the radiant and happy bride passing by and leaning on the arm of her beloved bridegroom. The question presents to us, with the words that follow, a beautiful picture of the present position of the believer in relation to the Lord and of some of the great blessings which the believer possesses in the Lord. Let us unfold the passage in the following way:- ” 1 . ““WHO IS THIS ?”” – She is the Bride. It is the bride who is referred to, and she represents the Bride of Christ, the Church, the individual believer. In the New Testament the Church is spoken of as a Building (Ephesians 2:22); as the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:23); as the Brotherhood of believers (Ephesians 2:1...