LeRoy Eims on the importance of Scripture memory: "I think two of the master strokes of the devil have been to convince people he doesn't exist, and that Scripture memory is only for children. He remembers the humility of defeat when Jesus Christ, who was tempted in all points like as we are, met him with the Word of God." (What Every Christian Should Know About Growing; p. 26-27)

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

James 1:16

Today is Wednesday so begin by reviewing 1 Corinthians 13.


16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. (NIV)

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.  (ESV)

Today's verse is a short, but powerful one.

We saw yesterday that sin is a process.  It begins in the emotions when we desire something, maybe even something good, but we desire it to excess or in a twisted way.  It then moves into our minds when we rationalize the sin.  It then moves into our will as we design a plan to carry out our sin.  And then it ends in the actual act of sin.

What's the most effective way to deal with our sin?  The earlier the better, of course!


MacArthur again:

At what point then in our lives do we deal with sin? Out here at the level of behavior? No. Way back at the level of what? Of desire. It is the person who is able to control their emotional responses that is going to deal effectively with sin. Or, the person who if feeling those emotional responses has a mind that is sanctified. And when it gets from the emotions to the mind, it is halted at that point. If it makes it to the will and something is conceived, it will be born. A child conceived is a child born. That child's got to come out.
And so, in dealing with sin in our lives, we don't just deal on the end of the line effectively, we've got to go way back to the beginning. If the emotions are allowed to be exposed to the baited hook, you've got problems. And, you know, everything in our evil society will work on your emotions. All the dramatic things, all the movies and television and books and music and clothing and all the alluring sights and sounds and things that attract our attention are all designed first to capture the emotion. There's all a facade that is intended to allure us....
A woman puts on perfume and leaves a trail. That is not for your intellect. We need to guard at the level of emotion and secondly, at the level of mind. And so the mind is to be brought into captivity to Christ. Isn't that a great truth? Bringing everything in the mind into captivity to Christ. An unprotected, uncontrolled, unyielded mind is going to be filled with evil images. So I have to control my emotions. I have to control my mind because that's where the thing gets started. So I want to be sure that my emotions are given over to the things of God....
You cannot expose your emotions continually to things which lure you away from the things of God. You can't do that without paying a dear price.
And the mind, it's very simple, you need the mind of Christ. You need a renewed mind. You need a mind that is set on things above and not on things on the earth. You need a mind that is saturated with the Word of Christ dwelling in it richly. You need a mind, Paul says in Romans 12:2, that is transformed and not conformed to the world. You need to, can I put it simply? love the Lord your God with all your mind. What's in your mind? What's in your mind? If your mind feeds on the Word of God, then you're going to stop sin way back. If your emotions are under the control of the Spirit of God, and your feelings have been brought captive to Him, you're going to stop sin back where it starts. If you let your emotions go and expose them to everything the world is throwing out and you let your mind be an open door for everything to fly in and out and it's not cultivated and plowed deeply with the Word of God, then you will conceive sin and you will bring forth the child....and the child turns out to be a killer. Sin is a killer. The wages of sin is what? death. Spiritual death separating the soul from God, physical death separating the soul from the body, eternal death separating the soul and body from God.
And he's not here particularly talking about Christians or non-Christians, he's just saying all sin ever produces is death. Even for a believer, can be physical death, as 1 Corinthians 11 and 1 John 5:16 demonstrate. All kinds of death flows out of sin. So the idea that you're bringing some satisfying behavior to life is a lie. All you bring is sin and all sin brings is death...
Stop being deceived....Know where the trouble is, he's saying, don't be deceived. Stop blaming God and start blaming yourself. And start looking within and don't go blindly through life just accepting what is and then blaming God. Realize that you have within you an enemy and that enemy is your own fallenness and your own lust and that enemy must be dealt with. You cannot expose your emotion to everything that lures you. You cannot let your mind become captive to those things. You've got to know where the problem is, not be deceived about it, go back there and deal with it at that level. Stop it at the start. Fill your mind with the things of God so that they can never mate with your feelings and conceive sin in your will.
If your emotions are controlled or if your mind is controlled, either one, leaves the other without a mate to conceive sin. 


Even as believers - perhaps, especially as believers, we need to take sin seriously.  We serve a holy God.  Yes, we serve a merciful God.  Yes, we serve a gracious God.  Yes, we serve a loving God.  But we serve a holy God.  And that makes His mercy, grace and love even more amazing.  We need to take sin as seriously as God takes it.

We need to deal with it at a grass roots level.  We need to be proactive.  We cannot expose our emotions to the things we know lure us - and only you know what that is for you.  It's not the same for everyone.  And then, we cannot allow our mind to become captive to those things.

The best way to deal with it is both positively and negatively.  Yes, remove the evil temptations, and don't allow yourself to be exposed to the things you are susceptible to.  But also purposefully fill your emotions and mind with things that are pure.

A great companion verse would be Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Think about these things.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

James 1:15

Today is Tuesday so begin by reviewing the Book of Titus, then James 1:1-14, the move on to today's verse.

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (NIV)

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)

I'm going to quote from MacArthur's sermon again:
James shifts metaphors away from hunting and fishing to childbirth, as he comes to verse 15 and discusses the nature of lust.....Most people think of sin as a solitary act or a series of acts or behaviors. God is saying here that sin is not an act, sin is the result of a process....

Sin begins with the desire.  An emotionally longing after something that you think will satisfy you.

Then it moves from the emotion of desire to the deception of your mind, as you justify and rationalize going after the object of your desire, and you convince yourself that it will be fulfilling.

It moves from emotion, to the mind, and then to the will - you begin to design (MacArthur's going with "D's"!) how you're going to pull the sin off, and sin is conceived.

And then we have disobedience, where the actual act of sin occurs.  We've moved from the emotion to the mind to the will and then to the behaviour, and we have given birth to sin, a child that turns out to be a killer.  Death.

The wages of sin is what? death. Spiritual death separating the soul from God, physical death separating the soul from the body, eternal death separating the soul and body from God.....

The emotions lead the mind to rationalize. The rationalized mind leads the will to plan. And now the baby is born and the deed is done and it all began with the desire.

Sin is a process.  In order to effectively deal with sin, we've got to fight it at the beginning.  More on that tomorrow.



Monday, April 22, 2013

James 1:14

Today is Monday, so begin by reviewing all the Psalms you've memorized.

Review v 1-13 of James 1 and then move on to verse 14.

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (NIV)

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (ESV)

We saw last week that God cannot be tempted by evil, and He does not tempt any one. And we need to review that because today's verse starts with "but"

John MacArthur:  God tempts no one. He allows temptation to go on and men like David can make a choice. But God does not tempt. He allows us to be tested, even as He allowed Christ to be tested. But never more than we are able to bear and always giving the resource for victory if we choose that resource. And when we cry, "Lead us not trial or temptation," we are simply saying, "God, we ask You to do what You've promised to do and never give us more than we can bear."

So, the nature of evil says that God cannot be tempted. He can't even experience evil, therefore He can't tempt anybody else. As I said, in order to tempt someone else, He would have to delight Himself in temptation and sin which He is incapable of. His delight is only in that which is pure and holy. 
God cannot be tempted.  God cannot tempt anyone.  BUT every single person can be. Everyone.  No exception.

When are we tempted?  When we are lured or baited by our own lust and trapped into sin.


Just think about that imagery. The reason animals are baited and trapped and fish are baited and trapped is because the bait looks good. It looks attractive. It looks inviting. And all they see is the bait. And instead of the anticipated pleasure, when they grab the bait comes the pain of capture and death. So it is with temptation. It dangles out there and it promises a tasty indulgence, it promises a satisfying morsel, it promises greater pleasure, fun, reward and it lures the suckered victim into its trap and hook in a deadly way.
Now what does that? What does that? Whose fault is that? What pulls us so strongly to the bait? Is it God? No. Is it Satan? No, Satan baits the hook and the world baits the hook and demons bait the hook and men bait the hook and a lot of folks bait the hook but what pulls us to the hook? What pulls us to the trap? What is it? Lust. And that's the nature of man. Our fallenness has, as a part of its entity, desire for evil.
Would you notice it doesn't say he is drawn away by lust, but of his own lust? Very emphatic. "His own" emphasizes that we're not talking about some generic term only that everyone possess commonly with everyone else in just the same way. But each individual, “hekastos,” each individual has his own particular bent of lust which is really the thing that lures him to the bait. And is it not true that one person's passion is another's person's repulsion? Sure it is. I see people who are literally by their lust driven into homosexuality. That absolutely repulses me. You can bait that hook all you want in front of me and you'll see me go the other direction. We all have a certain, I wouldn't want to use the word character, but we all have certain characteristics of our lust which makes some baited traps and baited hooks more alluring to us than others. And that's why he is individualizing this by saying "his own" lust....
the problem in our sinning is not God, the problem is not even the devil, the problem is not even demons, the problem is not even the world or wicked men, listen, the world, wicked men, demons and the devil all surrounded Jesus Christ through His entire life and yet He never sinned because there was never in Him any “epithumia.” There was no lust. There was no pull. Nothing put on the hook attracted Him in any way.....The problem is not the tempter without, the problem is the traitor within, that's the problem. Our temptability is because of the nature of man and his own peculiar desires. And each person's soul has its own patterns of fleshly desire as a result of his environment and his upbringing and his personal choices....The issue is that in the nature of man, there is a propensity to desire things that satisfy. And if lured to those things outside the will of God, there is the capacity to bite the hook...
Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and the enemy is us." That's right. That's profound. The enemy is us....
The problem is that even though we've been redeemed and even though we've received a new nature and even though we are created in Christ Jesus, we still have an enemy within. And it is passion. It is that longing to be satisfied with something which in and of itself may be a good thing.
In fact, most all lust is simply God's good gift twisted and perverted. God, for example, gives us the blessing of sleep. And some people lust after it until they become lazy, indolent sluggards....
There's nothing wrong with thirst. God's given us that as a desire which leads us to do things beneficial to our body. But some people drink themselves into the gutter. There's nothing wrong with food, but some people become gluttonous. There's nothing wrong with wanting our needs supplied but it's easy to pervert your needs and get way beyond what they really are. Even sex is given by God as a wonderful glorious gift, but when perverted and sought for beyond the will of God, becomes the baited hook to trap the person who is driven by lust for those things.


Sorry, that got a little long, but I thought it was such an excellent explanation of this verse.

God is not responsible for our tempting.  Our own lust is responsible.  We are responsible.  Every. single. one. of. us.

Doesn't that make you so thankful for the grace and mercy of God lavished on us in Christ Jesus?!  Meditate on that as you hide this verse in your heart today.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

James 1:13

Today is Tuesday, so begin by reviewing the Book of Titus, then the first 12 verses of James 1, before moving on to today's verse.  At one verse a week, this is going to take forever!  Sorry about the delay in moving on, but here we go.

Quick note: the NIV 1984 has been removed from online resources, so I have switched one translation to the NIV.  I'm disappointed that it's not available anymore, even though I'm using the ESV.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (NIV)

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. (ESV)

This may seem like a sudden transition - from trials to temptations.  But it's not really.  Trials can become temptations.

John MacArthurEvery difficult thing that comes into my life either strengthens me because I obey God and stay confident in His care and trusting His power, and so I grow. Or I am tempted to doubt God, deny His Word, disobey, do what is expedient and thus I have fallen to the solicitation to do evil.
The same word that means an enticement to evil is also used to speak of a trial. The difference is how you respond to it. If you respond to a trial with obedience, then you find it a means of spiritual growth. If you respond to a trial with disobedience it has turned into a temptation and you have fallen prey to it. Every trial has the potential to become a temptation, depending on our response.
So, James makes this shift from trials, which lead to growth and blessing, to temptations which lead to sin and death. Every circumstance of life that we face then provides us with a decision. In fact, it requires a decision. Will I persevere? Will I move ahead in faith in God by obedience to His Word? Or will I listen to the voice that suggests the easy way out is disobedience and fall into sin?
Now if I fall into sin, whose fault is it? Is it God's fault who brings the trials or allows them? Is it the fault of my circumstances? Is it the fault of my being created by God the way I am and I can't help it? Whose fault is it?
We have a tendency to blame anyone but ourselves for our own sin, don't we?  Started with Adam - when God questioned him, he blamed both Eve and God!  Eve blamed the snakes, and God since He created the snake.  And we do the same - even if only subconsciously.  God made me, He orchestrated my circumstances, He's sovereign - so it must be His fault.

In this verse, James makes it absolutely clear that temptation is absolutely not God's fault.  We cannot blame Him or excuse ourselves.  God cannot be tempted, and He tempts no one.  Black and white.

Monday, April 8, 2013

James 1:12

Today is Monday so begin your day by reviewing the Psalms you've memorized.

Review James 1:1-11 and then move on to today's verse.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (NIV)

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  (ESV)

From one of MacArthur's sermons on the book of James.....
Trials cannot destroy faith. I want you to know that, I want to keep emphasizing that. Trials do not destroy faith, they only put it to the test. And the faith that stands the test is proven to be genuine and the faith that fails the test is proven to be false. Trials cannot destroy faith, they can only test it.

When believers remain steadfast under a trial, their faith is proved genuine and they will be rewarded with the crown of life.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

James 1:11

Today is Tuesday, so begin by reviewing the book of Titus before going on to our passage in James.

11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. (NIV)

11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (ESV)



From my MacArthur commentary....
James draws... a picture of Palestine's flowers and flowering grasses, which colorfully flourish in February and dry up by May. This is a clear allusion to Isaiah 40:6-8, which speaks of the scorching sirocco wind that burns and destroys plants in its path. This picture from nature illustrates how divinely wrought death and judgment can quickly end the wealthy person's dependence on material possessions.

Today's verse is pretty long, so I'm taking the liberty of deciding that we will take 2 days to learn this one. You can divide it into two parts if you like, or just go over the whole thing for two days, it's up to you.



Thursday, March 28, 2013

James 1:10

Review the first 9 verses before going on to today's verse.

10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. (NIV)
10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. (ESV)

From my MacArthur Commentary....
This refers to the rich believer's being brought low by trials. Such experiences help him rejoice and realize that genuine happiness and contentment depend on the true riches of God's grace, not earthly wealth.

Don't forget, as we're memorizing, to meditate on the truth contained within the words.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

James 1:9

Today is Tuesday so review the book of Titus.  Then review James 1:1-8 before going on to today's verse....

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.(NIV)

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, (ESV)

Both poverty and riches can cause us to focus on the world rather than on God. Thankfully, God is no respecter of persons - IOW, poor and rich are of equal value in God's eyes.  In this verse, James says for the poor to boast or glory in their high status in Christ.  They may be poor according to the world, but God will exalt or vindicate them.

Another short one today!  Repeat, repeat, repeat.


Monday, March 25, 2013

James 1:8

Today is Monday so begin by reviewing the Psalms you've memorized.

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (NIV)

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (ESV)

A continuation of v7, this verse again confirms that we need to trust in GOd's goodness.  Those who are torn between God and the world are double-minded and unstable. 

It's nice that these are relatively short!  Repeat over and over and over.



Friday, March 22, 2013

James 1:7

Begin by reviewing v1-6.  Then move on to today's verse.

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (NIV)

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (ESV)

If we doubt God, if we don't trust in His goodness, we dishonour Him and God will not answer our prayers for wisdom (or anything else).  God is good.  God is love.  We can trust Him!

Repeat, repeat, repeat!


Thursday, March 21, 2013

James 1:6

Review v1-5 first, then move on to v6.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (NIV)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (ESV)

When we ask for the wisdom in v5 we must pray with absolute trust in our sovereign God, without doubt both mentally and morally.  God does not lie.  God does not break any promises.  God has promised us wisdom when we ask, and if we ask (with right motives and seeking His glory), He will answer.

Repeat this verse over and over today.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

James 1:5

Well, it's not Monday, but here we go.

Start by reviewing 1 Corinthians 13.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (ESV)

Wisdom is necessary to live life for the glory of God.  Not wisdom as the world see wisdom.  But divine wisdom, grounded within the absolutes revealed to us in the Word, and then lived out.  Practical wisdom.  And we simply need to ask.  As with all of His blessings, God has wisdom in abundance, ready to pour out on those who seek it.  Just like Solomon.

Repeat today's verse over and over, meditating on its truths, as you hide this verse in your heart today.


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Confession time

Obviously, I have fallen off the wagon.  Big time.

I haven't posted a verse in.... hold on, let me figure it out.... 5 weeks!  Wow, that was even worse than I thought.

And not only that, I confess that I had fallen behind by a few days and did not use these last 5 weeks to catch up.

So, starting Monday (I know, I should probably start today, but tomorrow is Sophia's birthday and with all the birthday stuff going on this weekend, I should realistically wait till Monday), we will begin again - at James 1:5.  Yep, verse 5.  It's my blog, so I get to go back if I want to. ;)

See you Monday!


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

James 1:11

Today is Wednesday, so begin by reviewing 1 Corinthians 13 before going on to our passage in James.

11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. (NIV)

11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (ESV)


From my MacArthur commentary....
James draws... a picture of Palestine's flowers and flowering grasses, which colorfully flourish in February and dry up by May. This is a clear allusion to Isaiah 40:6-8, which speaks of the scorching sirocco wind that burns and destroys plants in its path. This picture from nature illustrates how divinely wrought death and judgment can quickly end the wealthy person's dependence on material possessions.

Today's verse is pretty long, so I'm taking the liberty of deciding that we will take 2 days to learn this one.  You can divide it into two parts if you like, or just go over the whole thing for two days, it's up to you.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

James 1:10

Today is Tuesday so begin the day by reviewing the book of Titus.

10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. (NIV)

10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. (ESV)

From my MacArthur Commentary....
This refers to the rich believer's being brought low by trials. Such experiences help him rejoice and realize that genuine happiness and contentment depend on the true riches of God's grace, not earthly wealth.

Don't forget, as we're memorizing, to meditate on the truth contained within the words.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Monday, February 4, 2013

James 1:9

Today is Monday so begin by reviewing all the Psalms.  Then review James 1:1-8 before going on to today's verse....

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.(NIV)

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, (ESV)

Both poverty and riches can cause us to focus on the world rather than on God. Thankfully, God is no respecter of persons - IOW, poor and rich are of equal value in God's eyes.  In this verse, James says for the poor to boast or glory in their high status in Christ.  They may be poor according to the world, but God will exalt or vindicate them.

Another short one today!  Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Friday, February 1, 2013

James 1:8

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (NIV)

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (ESV)

A continuation of v7, this verse again confirms that we need to trust in GOd's goodness.  Those who are torn between God and the world are double-minded and unstable.

It's nice that these are relatively short!  Repeat over and over and over.

Spend Saturday and Sunday reviewing James 1:1-8 and we'll start with v9 on Monday!


Thursday, January 31, 2013

James 1:7

Begin by reviewing v1-6.  Then move on to today's verse.

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (NIV)

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (ESV)

If we doubt God, if we don't trust in His goodness, we dishonour Him and God will not answer our prayers for wisdom (or anything else).  God is good.  God is love.  We can trust Him!

Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

James 1:6

Today is Wednesday, so begin the day by reviewing 1 Corinthians 13.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (NIV)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (ESV)

When we ask for the wisdom in v5 we must pray with absolute trust in our sovereign God, without doubt both mentally and morally.  God does not lie.  God does not break any promises.  God has promised us wisdom when we ask, and if we ask (with right motives and seeking His glory), He will answer.

Repeat this verse over and over today.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

James 1:5

I totally forgot to post yesterday, sorry about that!  Hopefully you reviewed the Psalms and the first 4 verses of James.

Today, begin by reviewing the book of Titus, and then go on to today's verse.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (ESV)

Wisdom is necessary to live life for the glory of God.  Not wisdom as the world see wisdom.  But divine wisdom, grounded within the absolutes revealed to us in the Word, and then lived out.  Practical wisdom.  And we simply need to ask.  As with all of His blessings, God has wisdom in abundance, ready to pour out on those who seek it.  Just like Solomon.

Repeat today's verse over and over, meditating on its truths, as you hide this verse in your heart today.

Friday, January 25, 2013

James 1:4

Begin by reviewing v1-3.  Can you do it?  If not, that's ok.  Review them several times until you've got it and before moving on to the next verse.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (ESV)

Obviously perfection in this life is not possible for us.  But growth towards perfection is.  In fact, if we are not sinning less, we are not growing in our spiritual life.  As we grow in the love of God and as we grow in our love for each other, we will begin to sin less often.  However, as we understand more and more the holiness of God and our own depravity, that sin will bother us even more - so it may seem to us like we sin the same as we did before.

My MacArthur commentary says this:
The testing of faith drives believers to deeper communion and greater trust in Christ - qualities that in turn produce a stable, godly, and righteous character.

Our trials will product steadfastness of character which will, in turn, result in a growth in spiritual maturity.

Meditate on the truths of these verses as you repeat them over and over.  Remember, we are not memorizing just for the sake of memorization - but transformation!

Saturday and Sunday will be spent on review.  See you Monday for James 1:5!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

James 1:3

Start the day off by reviewing v1&2.

Then add on v3

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (NIV 1984)

 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (ESV)

We are tested to prove our faith genuine and the result of such testing is steadfastness or perseverance or endurance.  As my ESV Study Bible says - a life of faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions.

Repeat today's verse over and over and over again!
You're doing great!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

James 1:2

Today is Wednesday, so start the day by reviewing 1 Corinthians 13.

Then review James 1:1 from yesterday.

On to today's new verse....

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (NIV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (ESV)


Our natural human response to trials is certainly no to rejoice, so we must make a conscience effort to face them with joy.  Count it joy, consider it joy.

Trials in our life prove our faith to be genuine, and in fact, increase both the strength and quality of our faith.

MacArthur adds this thought in his study Bible....
Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen. If the believer fails the test by wrongly responding, that test then becomes a temptation, or a solicitation to evil.

When we trust in God's plan for our lives, when we trust in His goodness, when we recognize the fact that all trials will test and strengthen our faith if we allow it to, then we can choose to face them with joy.  Not because we're happy about it, but because we are purposefully choosing to rejoice in the Lord and glorify Him.

Repeat today's verse over and over and allow it's truth to sink deep into your heart.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

James 1:1

Well, it's not Monday, but today we're starting new!

Start off today by reviewing the book of Titus (because it's Tuesday).

Today we're going to start the book of James.  Now, before you panic, don't think of it as learning an entire book.  Just think of it that our next chapter we're tackling is James 1.  Once James 1 is totally secure, we'll move on to our next chapter which will just so happen to be James 2.  Don't think of it as the entire book, because that can be overwhelming.  Try it and see!  We won't go too fast, but if you need more time, just let me know and we can add in a few extra review days as needed.

I am going to be posting two versions - ESV and NIV (1984).  I have always previously memorized the NIV, but I am leaning towards switching to the ESV for myself because it is a more accurate literal translation, yet still maintains readability. If any of you that are following use a different translation and would like me to add that in, please let me know.  Obviously you are free to memorize whichever translation you like.

Here we go!



NIV 1984

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.


ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.




This James is the half-brother of Jesus and he is writing to the Jews, wherever they may be living.

Read this verse aloud several times.  Then try doing it from memory.  If you can't, go back to reading it aloud several more times.  Rinse and repeat.  There's no magic to this.  Just repetition.  Reading aloud will help!

God bless you as you store His Word in your heart.


Friday, January 18, 2013

Book of Titus

Today we will review the Book of Titus again.

Over the weekend, review any of the chapters that are tougher for you.  Monday we start new!


Thursday, January 17, 2013

1 Corinthians 13

Spend today reviewing 1 Corinthians 13.


1 Corinthians 13

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecyand can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.



Tomorrow we will review the Book of Titus again.


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Book of Titus Review

Today, review the entire book of Titus.


Titus 1-3

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
To Titus, my true son in our common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus’s Task on Crete

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

What Must Be Taught to Various Groups

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Doing What Is Good

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.


We will spend the rest of this week reviewing (tomorrow we will review all the Psalms) and then on Monday we will start our new book, but I haven't decided yet what it will be.  Stay tuned!