 The Man Minute "Sixty second investments in Christlike Manhood"
Because in his letter James uses the word "brother" so very often, you cannot read his descriptions of how to live out the faith without filtering it through the connection of brotherhood. Kinship. Family. As my friends in Mississippi say, "How's ya mama -n- them?" Family matters. James gets to this place where he goes straight to the bone of how brothers are to live, then, in the light of what it means to have kinfolk in the name of Jesus. "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless." (James 1:26) If you are the least bit concerned with a solid understanding of God's word, then there are non-negotiable rules one must use when it comes to the interpreting the Scriptures. Of these basic fundamentals is the fact that you cannot simply read a passage in context, that is, what comes before and after it. You must go further and read the passage in light of the entire book in which it's written. To get a tight grip on what James 1:26 is all about, it must be understood in light of all of what he's saying about God, life, faith ... and brotherhood. This way you can see what he's getting at when he talks about the tongue as it fits together as a whole, not just as a chapter. Then it becomes all too clear ... brothers do not slander brothers. www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com
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 The Man Minute "Sixty second investments in Christ-Like manhood"
Praying for wisdom is one of those prayers where God promises to give you exactly what you want, for James tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5) The point of God granting you wisdom is not just so you'll make better decisions that ultimately honor His name. The grand design of His granting you wisdom is so that you will actually know His heart in ways that you didn't beforehand. I do not have a favorite Scripture, for I find that the other ones get jealous. In my top three of all time, however, is a prayer Paul prays for his friends in Ephesus, where he tells them: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. (Eph. 1:18) A spirit of wisdom and revelation ... the ability to see beyond the surface. To see what is actually there instead of what appears to be there. So that you may know Him better ... thus the goal of being granted the favor of wisdom and revelation. Knowing the heart of a God who always has your best interests in mind. www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com  The Man Minute "Sixty second investments in Christ-Like manhood"
Stupid decisions look even more stupid after you've had a few years to think back on what you did in that one moment. The story of Jacob and Esau carries with it a ton of dynamics, yet one that so easily sticks out is that Esau would be willing to sell his "birthright" for a meal ... and it wasn't even a big meal at that. Like many of you who read the Man Minute, Esau loved to hunt. The difference was he hunted to survive while we hunt for sport. Esau most likely hadn't eaten in a while, and he was, in his words, "Famished." Jacob, his own brother, was cooking up some stew and tells him he'll share it but Esau must grant him his birthright. Now this was no small thing, for they were sons of Issac, and Issac was the son of Abraham. A birthright meant all of the benefits of the family name, and with a name like Abraham, that would be a birthright you'd want to keep! Esau let his emotions drive his brain. He makes the deal. It was a short-term gain for a long-term loss. At its core, this is the very nature of temptation. It's the masking of a truth, where you accept the offer of temporary relief, even though you know there most likely will be long-term ramifications. How many times, looking back on it, have you wished you'd never done it? The next time you're faced with a decision that feels like it needs to be made quickly, step back. Very, very few situations in life actually demand quick decisions. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. You don't have to sell your soul, your birthright, just to gain a few yards. Keep the end in mind, and you'll be able to honor God when you do. www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com |
Jason CruiseJason Cruise is the founder of Mission. Mission was created to "vindicate the fatherless" in a country known as Moldova. To learn more go to www.themissionvision.net Jason is a well known speaker traveling across the country sharing his love for Christ at wildgame dinners and conferences. Jason has created many valuable resources for the outdoorsmen to take them deeper into their walk with their Creator. These items include DVD's, Bibles, and Bible studies. Archives
July 2014
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