Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.” James 2:18 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Godly wisdom leads to a faith that is active.”

Far too many Christians practice a brand of Christianity that consists primarily of going to church on Sunday. They probably also throw in a few quick prayers each day, and maybe even a little Bible reading every once in a while, but that’s pretty much it. Theirs is a practice of the faith that consists mostly of a little habitual ritual, and it’s pretty superficial.

But that’s not the example of faith we’re given in the Bible. James especially calls believers to an active faith, a faith that is observable by the good works that grow out of it. That’s what he was writing about in 2:18. In the rest of his letter he addresses things like taking care of widows and orphans, feeding the hungry and clothing the poor, treating people fairly and with respect, and other very active, very intentional, acts of mercy and compassion, reconciliation and witness – all of which grow out of a deep and dynamic faith.

Being wise in the ways of God leads us to a faith that is active and observable in meaningful ways out in the world. Jesus called us to be “salt and light” where? In the pew on Sunday morning? No. Out in the world. It’s why Jesus also had high praise for those who visited the sick and the prisoners, fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, and clothed the naked. He even said that when we do things like that for others, He receives those acts as if we had done them directly to Him (Matthew 25:45). A major theme in both the Old and New Testaments is an active faith that makes a real difference in the lives of other people.

The other day I saw a street sign which read “We must take sides. Neutrality always favors the oppressor, never the victim.” That’s Biblical. It’s consistent with God’s desire for His people to stand up for those who are oppressed and mistreated. It’s similar to the old saying “All that’s required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Biblical wisdom doesn’t allow for us to sit idly by while others suffer – especially if we could do something about it but just don’t want to be bothered.

Biblically the truly wise person is not the hermit living in a cave on a mountaintop, and it’s not the Sunday morning saint who has little time the rest of the week for the things of God. As we continue to grow wiser and wiser in the ways of God we will discover that Biblical wisdom leads us to a very active faith that makes a real difference in the real world.

God Bless,

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it.” Hebrews 11:1-2 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “A wise person learns from history.”

I’m concerned that today we’re becoming entirely too modern for our own good. The Christian church has become contemporary in the extreme, almost to the point of disdaining everything from the past. “If it’s new it’s good, if it’s old it’s bad.” That mind set, when applied to church life, results in a pretty thin practice of the faith, one that has sacrificed the rich heritage that is ours.

There’s a lot we can learn from history of the church. The Holy Spirit didn’t suddenly show up on earth in 2014. There was plenty of good Christian music long before the advent of Maranatha Music; we used to get along just fine without PowerPoint presentations; preachers with spiked hair were considered strange much longer than they’re been considered cool; and Joel Osteen is not the Apostle Paul (how’s that for an understatement?!) The point is that there is much from the past that is good and helpful and worth hanging onto.

The Christian church has a long and rich history of deep insights, profound teaching, beautiful music, inspiring art, and revival movements that have changed the course of nations. We ignore that history at our own peril. In his book “The Sacred Romance” author John Eldredge writes:

“One of the reasons modern evangelicalism feels so thin is because it is merely modern; there is no connection with the thousands of years of saints who have gone before. Our community of memory must include not only saints from down the street, but also those from down the ages. Let us hear the stories of John and Teresa from last week, but also those of St. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, to name only two. Let us draw from that “great cloud of witnesses” and learn from their journeys, so that our memory may span the story of God’s relationship with his people.”

We can and must learn from those of previous generations in our church, as well as from those of previous ages down through the centuries of Christian history. The ancient is good in oh so many ways. We miss much by trying so hard to be ultra-contemporary. The truly wise person knows there is much to be learned from the history of the Church.

For an expanded teaching on this subject you can go to my website at http://www.JimMersereauBooks.com and download the free article “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times.”

God Bless,

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “A wise person understands what it is that the Lord really wants.”

The Christian world today is filled with what I call “modern day Pharisees”. These are people who, like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, attempt to practice their faith by observing a long list of rules and regulations. For themselves and for others they have a long list of do’s and don’ts, checklists of acceptable behavior, rituals, dress codes, and much more. Usually much of it is based upon tradition, personal bias, and personal opinion rather than on scripture. And then they become dogmatic about it. They insist that everyone else should believe and practice as they do and they become stern and judgmental in their dealings with anyone who doesn’t.

In the middle of all that Old Testament religiosity, the prophet Micah clued the people into what it is the Lord is really looking for from His people. He is looking for people with a humble spirit, a quiet faithfulness, and a commitment to justice, mercy, and compassion. We know about the freedom in Christ that the New Testament teaches. We understand the message of salvation by grace which Jesus made possible and which Paul so eloquently taught in Galatians. And we’ve been instructed, especially by Jesus and James, that true Christian faith will be evidenced by works of kindness, mercy and compassion. But that same message was also woven all throughout the Old Testament as well. Micah was just one of many prophets who preached and taught this. So we have to wonder “how did they miss it?” For that matter, how do we?

Why do so many of us get caught up in codes and creeds and rituals – thinking the Lord is pleased with all that, when the message of both Testaments is so clear that what God is really looking for is a person with a humble heart, a quiet but sure faith, and a commitment to go out into the world and bless others in His name? How do we keep missing that?

Over the years I’ve noticed that those who are truly wise in the ways of the Lord are precisely those who have learned and practiced this lesson. The truly wise ones are seldom the overbearing pulpit-pounders, or the prim and proper church lady whose girdle is apparently too tight, or the stern and dour deacon with the big Bible and the sour look on his face. No, the truly wise ones are humble and kind, gentle and joyful, filled with mercy and compassion, always seeking to find a way to bless others.

What is it the Lord is really looking for in His people? To act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. The wise ones know this.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “We need wise counsel.”

In the Bible study “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God”, Henry Blackaby teaches that although God can speak to us in an infinite number of ways, the ways He most commonly speaks to us in our day is through the Bible, through prayer, through the circumstances of our lives, through the counsel of mature Christian friends, and through the testimony of the church. Usually when He is trying to tell us something He will do so through two or more of those ways.

I know from personal experience that God often speaks to me through the counsel of Christian friends. I’m deeply grateful for those few friends whose maturity and insight I trust and who make themselves available to me to help me think through, talk through, and pray through, difficult situations and decisions. God has often used them to bring clarity to my mind and to help me understand His will. Godly wisdom often comes to us through the counsel of others.

Unfortunately many Christians have the bad habit of making important decisions in their own understanding and without seeking counsel and advice from others. In Proverbs 15:22 Solomon warned that this is the thing which causes people to fail and to fall. Proverbs 3:5 also cautions us to rely not on our own understanding. Proverbs 12:15 says, “A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.”

In the 1970’s there was a popular television show called “The “A” Team”. One of the characters was a rough, tough, hard boiled guy by the name of “MR. T”. Mr. T’s signature line in the show consisted of him shaking his fist, scowling, and with a growl he would say “Pity the poor fool who …. (fill in the blank). That poor fool was about to get crossways with Mr. T. and would live to regret it.

Well allow me to paraphrase Mr. T. this morning and say, “Pity the poor fool who makes important decisions without seeking godly counsel.” According to Solomon such a person is destined to fail.

Now, we do have to be careful about who we trust for godly counsel. Not everyone is qualified or trustworthy. But it is important to have a few people in your life who are spiritually mature, who love you, and whose counsel you can trust. Then make it a point to consult them about important decisions. We need wise counsel in order to make good decisions.

God Bless,

Our Bible verse for today: “The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips.” Proverbs 17:27-28 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “A wise person knows when to remain silent.”

I once knew a woman who was often a volcano of bubbling, babbling, emotion. She seemed to have little control over her emotions and she therefore frequently erupted with volcanic explosions of words – supercharged, critical, complaining, and often harsh words. Not much Biblical wisdom in that.

Oh, and she often found herself in a position of having to apologize. Once the pressure was released, once the molten lava of overheated words had been exhausted, and once she had finally calmed down, she was often embarrassed and shifted into damage control mode as she explained, rationalized, and eventually apologized for her behavior.

In Proverbs 17:27 Solomon tells us that the person who has acquired Biblical wisdom will have learned to keep a cool head and to restrain their words. That means that instead of being ruled by our emotions it’s the Holy Spirit who has control over our tongue. It means that we think first and speak second. And it means that when we do speak, our words are well thought out, intentional, and accomplish good rather than evil.

In verse twenty-eight Solomon goes on to explain that even a foolish person will be considered wise if they just keep their mouth shut. That reminds us of the old adage “Remain silent and you may appear foolish, but open your mouth and you will remove all doubt.” As your emotions are beginning to boil and that volcano of words is moving quickly to the surface you may find yourself having to bite through your tongue in an effort to keep it for wagging, but that will still be better than saying things that shouldn’t be said. 

A wise person knows when (and how) to remain silent.

God Bless,

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “I called to the Lord in my distress, and He answered me.” Jonah 2:2 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Sometimes our biggest mistakes teach the greatest lessons.”

I have always enjoyed the story of Jonah. It’s outrageous and comical on the one hand, and yet it teaches powerful Biblical truths on the other hand. In the story God has a plan to give the evil people of Nineveh one last chance to repent. His plan involves sending Jonah to them to preach the good news that God will forgive their sins. But instead of running with God, Jonah runs away from God. Why? Not because he was afraid that they would reject the message. No, he was afraid they would accept it. Jonah hated the Ninevites and he didn’t want them to be saved. So he disobeyed God and ran in the opposite direction God wanted him to be going in. He got on a ship, went to sea, and sailed off over the horizon.

(Cue the whale) So God caused a storm at sea, the sailors threw Jonah overboard, and Jonah got swallowed by Moby Dick. That was a bad place for him to be, in the belly of a whale, but the situation did offer some hope too. I love the song the Newsboys sang about Jonah’s escapade, “In The Belly Of A Whale”. Have you ever heard it? It is so funny!

“I’m sleeping with fishes here (in the belly of the whale)

I’m highly nutritious here, (in the belly of the whale)

Woke up this morning kinda blue,

Thinking through that age old question,

If you Google the title you can listen to the song for free. It’s hilarious!

The thing about the story of Jonah is that it’s a true story not an allegory. We know this because in Matthew 12:39-41 Jesus referred to Jonah’s story as actual history. The reason it’s included in the Bible is because it teaches such powerful lessons. First we learn that it’s foolish to run away from God instead of with God. But in this story we also discover that many times our biggest mistakes become our best lessons. That was true for Jonah. As he spent those hours marinating in the whale’s digestive juices he had plenty of opportunity to ponder the error of his ways. Then we read the results of that introspection,in chapter two verse two, when we see that Jonah acknowledged that he was wrong and God was right. He then called out for God’s help and once he was delivered, he got busy doing what it was he was supposed to have been doing to begin with.

It’s a great little story; it’s true; and it’s not just for children. There’s a lot we can learn while we’re sitting in the belly of the whale. Many times our biggest mistakes turn out to be our best lessons and we end up wiser for it.

God Bless,

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “The wise person recognizes the importance of Christian community.”

Why is it important for the people of God to be together as a faith community? For one thing, it’s because that’s the model Scripture gives us. In the Bible the people of God are always together in community. Community is an integral part of living the Christian life. So fundamental is the notion of community – the importance of being together – that even in that perfect environment in the Garden of Eden God deemed “alone” as being “not good” (Genesis 2:18). Human beings are relational by nature. We thrive in community and we wilt in loneliness. That’s why in prison the highest form of punishment is solitary confinement.

In Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one,” and “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” What he meant to illustrate in those verses is “The power of together”. There is power in being together. There is support, encouragement, love, guidance, correction, and help. In Luke 5, four men carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus. When they couldn’t get into the room because of the crowds they hoisted him up onto the roof, broke through it, and lowered him by ropes into the presence of the Master. That’s the power of together. We do things for each other that we can’t do for ourselves. In Romans 12 Paul taught that we are all parts of one body, the Body of Christ, and we need each other.

Are you part of a strong and committed community of believers? If not, you’re missing an essential element in the life of a Christian. The Bible gives us no positive examples of Lone Ranger Christians. In every case we’re directed into community. The Christian who is wise in the ways of God recognizes the importance of Christian community.

God Bless,

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Wisdom is learned through experience.”

True wisdom is learned through experience. It’s not something we read about, memorize, and recite to others. It’s something we live. Wisdom is the understanding of great truths that are then applied in a practical way in the real lives of real people in the real world. That’s the kind of Biblical wisdom James calls for in his New Testament letter.

In his letter James describes a Christian life of action and passion. For James true faith and true wisdom is always expressed in observable ways in real life. So he calls us to demonstrate our deep faith in the way in which we speak to others; in the way we treat others; in the way we care for the poor and sick and the suffering; in the way we safeguard and nurture our relationships. For James it is our service to others that becomes the observable proof of what’s really in our hearts.

“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” 2:27

A person who is wise in the ways of God is not only familiar with the commands and instructions of the Bible, but that person lives them out in daily life. And the more of that they do, the more deeply ingrained such behavior becomes for them and over time it progressively becomes who they are. The experience of living that way results in making them truly wise.

A person who is truly wise in the ways of God got that way by living that way. It’s true, wisdom is learned through experience.

God Bless,

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gates.” Amos 5:15

Our thought for today: “Biblical wisdom requires that God’s people act justly.”

One message which comes through loud and clear in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, in chapter after chapter, passage after passage, is that God has a soft spot in His heart for the down and out, the poor and the oppressed, the widow and the orphan. And along with that, God calls for His people to be the administrators of justice and compassion on His behalf and in His name. We are to help right the wrongs in the world.

The Old Testament prophet Amos was a simple man, a humble goat herder with absolutely no credentials to be a prophet of God. Therefore he was an unlikely candidate to confront wealthy Israelites on the sin of social injustice, but he is who God chose for the task. The days of Amos were a time of great national prosperity for Israel. The farmlands were productive, many people lived in fine homes and most of the population was well-fed. Those are the kinds of blessings God had always intended for His people to enjoy – it’s the very reason He led them into the Promised Land to begin with.

But now those same blessed people were exploiting the workers and the poor and the defenseless. Since their affluence gave them power over those less fortunate than themselves, they took bribes, imposed heavy taxes, took away the property and provisions that belonged to the workers, and they took advantage of the powerless. So God was angry and offended and He sent Amos to warn of the judgment and punishment that was to come.

The person who is wise in the ways of God will be kind, compassionate, and generous – especially with respect to those less fortunate, and they will defend the rights of those who are persecuted and oppressed. Biblical wisdom calls for God’s people to be advocates and administrators of social justice.

God Bless,

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “Even now – this is the Lord’s declaration – turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.” Joel 2:12-13 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “The smart thing is to repent and return to the Lord.”

In recent years I’ve been spending a lot of time in jail. Oh, not on the wrong side of the bars, fortunately, but visiting with those who are. Most of those people are young to middle-aged adults who have spent years addicted to drugs and alcohol, and they have usually supported themselves with a life of petty crimes.

Almost always they are remorseful and they have a strong desire to change the direction of their lives. And almost always they profess to either be Christian, or to have a Christian background in that they were raised in church and someone in their family (usually a mother or grandmother) was a strong Christian.

In every case my advice to them is to return to the Lord. First and foremost, before anything else in your life is going to get straightened out, you have got to get right with God. Once you do that, there is then a solid foundation upon which God can rebuild the rest of your life.

That was the message the Old Testament prophet Joel had for the nation of Israel. As a nation they had wandered far from the Lord and they had lived in ways that were way outside of His established standards. Through Joel God called the people back to himself. He even went so far as to paint a picture for them of the ways in which they would be blessed once they were back in right relation with Him:

“Look, I am about to send you grain, new wine, and olive oil. You will be satiated with them, and I will no longer make you a disgrace among the nations.” “Joel 2:19

“I will repay you the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust – My great army that I sent against you.” Joel 2:25

I like the way verse 25 reads in the King James Version: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.”

The past is the past and what happened, happened. That can’t be changed. But God can repair the damage; He can restore what was lost; and He can then fill that new and restored and faithful life with all sorts of bountiful new fruit. Yes, God can restore the years the locust have eaten. But the answer is always to first return to the Lord. Biblical wisdom teaches us that we must repent and return, then the Lord can and will bless.

God Bless,