It’s funny. That statement seems so fatalistic. But it’s a direct quote from the bible. In Ecclesiastes 1:9, it says exactly that, there is nothing new under the sun. Then in James 4:1,2, it says how lust and greed lead to murder and war. And all you have to do is just look around your community, city, state, nation and world. It’s being played out everywhere. This is why God sent the Holy Ghost to live in us. God wanted to bring peace to the world. But Christians aren’t exempt for stirring up and creating war. You have to submit yourself to the Holy Ghost in order for Him to control our emotions. It seems the world is telling us to be our own man. That is why the world is an enemy of God. Submit to the Holy Ghost and be the person you are suppose to be. And all you have to do is ask.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

James devoted most of his epistle to our tongue. As proverbs says, angry words stir up strife, trouble. Our tongue is one of the smallest members of our body. But no one can control it without the Holy Ghost. And the bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So, when your mouth speaks and boast of great things, it sets on fire trouble. Trouble out of the pits of hell. How can the mouth bless and curse at the same time? Can fresh water or salt water come out of the same fountain? This is why we must submit ourselves to the Holy Ghost. He will be able to control our tongue. Then we will be able to speak wisdom from above, that is pure, peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Only God can control your tongue. James 3.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

As James continued writing ,he was seeing something creeping into the church. God said let there be no respect of persons. James was watching as people were letting rich people sit in the best places. And the poor ones were directed to the back of church. God says not to judge our fellow man by the outside, but judge them by their hearts. This is who they really are. Then James saw the work of the kingdom going undone. People had faith, but weren’t using it to get things done. Paul said, I will show you my faith by my works. For without works, faith is alone and dead. Your faith is to prompt you to work in kingdom of God. There is always a need in the kingdom. So show your faith and believe God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

James wrote to believers who weren’t living in Israel. He wrote about many subjects on practical Christianity. He wrote on temptations, asking for wisdom, faith, double mindedness, tempting God, good gifts from God, bridling your tongue and anger. This is the first chapter. He wrote a short letter so James put many subjects into it. The one I want to talk about is anger and bridling your tongue. James said, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Anger doesn’t work God’s righteousness. And the only person who can bridle your tongue is the Holy Ghost. Which means you have to submit yourself to the Holy Ghost. Once God gets a hold of your tongue, you will stop saying things that stir up trouble. Then you can share the gospel with the people around you.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

There were 2 James in the church in Jerusalem. James, the son of Zebedee, was killed by the religious leaders, when he came back from Spain. James the Lesser was the son of Alpheaus. Otherwise known as joseph. James was Jesus’s younger brother. He was an apostle in the church at Jerusalem. His letter was written to believers abroad. He wanted to encourage and warn them. He started off by talking about persecution. He said to be joyful because God is with us. Then if you need wisdom ask God, who will give it freely. But ask in faith. God will not answer you any other way. Then he said be not a respecter of persons. God sees the heart not the outside. Then he talked about God giving us good and perfect gifts. James knew that God uses persecution to test and refine our faith. It is never meant to destroy us. It is just another storm, which we can walk through. By faith, we as believers, can weather any storm and reach out to people in need, no matter who they are. Because we are the faithful of God. James 1,2.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

We having the word of God since the beginning of time, should know how to act. But man seems to need correction every 40 or 50 years. Although, there have been people who lived the life through out the ages. The ones that get the most attention are the sinners. Why? Why can’t man learn without trying to burn down everything? It has a lot to do with our free will. Something that Adam acquired for us through his sin. God sent Jesus don’t only to die for our sins, but to show us how to live God’s life here on earth. He is our example. Jesus lived the life on earth without the power of God. Remember, He left it and His glory in heaven to become a man. He received the baptism of the Holy Ghost to do the ministry. Which God gives to every minister who ask. Jesus is our example on earth and in heaven. And all we have to do is follow it. 1 Peter 2.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Peter was among the first to be chosen by Jesus. Most people would look at Peter as a blue collar worker. But he owned his own business. He was in partnership with Zebedee, the father of John and James. After Jesus died, Peter pastored the church in Jerusalem. He was a man with a lot of common sense. But he had issues, he denied Jesus. He didn’t travel a lot. He went to Antioch to see what Paul was doing. But he stayed close to home until Paul was imprisoned. He had heard about the churches in Asia Minor being persecuted. So, he wrote to them to encourage them. Peter talked about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Then he talked about the fiery trials we go through. Then he talked about our salvation. The one that we have when we endure to the end. Peter wasn’t any different than we are. He believed and trusted Jesus with his life. It didn’t make him invincible. It made him a child of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The bible uses many examples of courage and faithfulness. Paul used the example of the Roman soldier. A Roman soldier was trained for 5 years before he was put into battle. The Romans volunteered for duty in the army. When a soldier was trained, he could defend 6 feet of ground with his life. This is why the Roman’s were unstoppable. Paul talked about being a good soldier for Christ. When a Roman was at an outpost, he did his duty because he believed and trusted his training. We as Christians believe and trust Jesus and the word of God. Knowing that the word of God and the Holy Ghost will complete our training. The bible says, when we have done all, to stand, Stand therefore. Eph.6.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

No one wants to be corrected. Everyone believes they are doing the right thing. Bot God uses reproof and exhorting to correct our hearts. We hide deep in our hearts, things that we don’t want to see the light of day. But God knows they are there anyway. I worked at a Christian radio station years ago. One Saturday, I was on air and play a program from a church. The pastor was preaching hard. A little too hard for some people’s taste. I recieved a phone from an angry listener. This pastor has said something derogatory about his demonination. He called to complain. I began to talk to him. I said, blessed are they who aren’t offended in me, Jesus. I began to explain why the pastor was on the air. He was an exhortor. It was his job from God to get people riled up, so God could deal with them. I told him, it was because he was angry. That was the problem not the pastor. As I explained the gospel, he understood and I prayed with him. Exhortation and reproof are a valid ministry in the kingdom. You won’t win friends and influence people often. But God can bring about good results for our work in the kingdom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

You get up and shower and shave. Then you have your coffee. If you have time,you sit and reflect on the day ahead. You get dressed and pack everything needed for the day. Then you open the front door and think did I forget something. And your off to work. Is this all? What does your life depend on? Is it coffee or your car? Is it your wardrobe? And of course matching shoes? As I drove into work, I began to think about what is important in my life. Everything I have didn’t seem so important as my relationship with God. I write blogs everyday. But without the wisdom and understanding that the Holy Spirit gives me, I am nothing. I can’t write coherently. I want to be in Jesus’s presence more than life itself. What does my life depend on? Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com