Day 86 - the non-believing rich

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James 5:1-6 is about the non-believing rich and the actions and attitudes they were having that would bring them condemnation from God:

• They hoarded their wealth, not helping others
• They lived in luxury for self instead of kingdom purposes
• They used others for their own benefit

Why does this earn them condemnation in the day of slaughter?

Because God made it clear, in His law, in His Word, that we were to obey Him and treat others in love. If we do not, then God's judgement will come upon us. So, they were building up for the day that God would judge them, just like a fattened animal eventually is slaughtered after much indulgence.

How is it a sign of pride and arrogance to do what James 5:1-6 describes?

It assumes that their life is theirs to please themselves and use others to bring them pleasure. It does not take God into account. It ignores God and in a sense, they are making themselves out to be their own god. That is the height of pride and arrogance.

Day 85 - James 5:1-6

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The context of James 5:1-6:

• 4:13-17 - Those who do not include God in their plans are arrogant and sinful
• 5:1-6 - One main illustration of those James was talking about in 4:13-17 are the unbelieving rich, who he addresses in 5:1-6. They were living only for themselves
• 5:7-12 - Knowing that the unbelieving rich were going to be judged by God, the believers could concentrate on being patient for God's judgment.

My paraphrase of James 5:1-6:

"Listen up, you rich non-believers: Start crying now, because very soon the judgment of God is coming upon you. You have hoarded your wealth and the evidence of its corrosion speaks against your evil heart, that is being destroyed as well. You have defrauded those poor, working for you, and their pay, which you have held back is also evidence against you. They have cried out to the God who commands all of Heaven's armies (so beware!). You have lived for yourself, to be comfortable, at the expense of others. You can't even see your judgment coming. You have taken advantage of those who are followers of Christ, to benefit yourself; even if it means killing them!"

Day 84 - thinking about James 4:13-17

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James 4:13-17 was the text for my message last week, and the extreme workout assignment for today was to listen to last week's message. Interestingly enough, God used that passage of Scripture in my life in a different way today. I had the opportunity to share it with someone I was counseling, helping to see God's plan in their trouble. Because God had led me to study this passage, to study it, prepare a message from it, apply it and preach it, I was fairly familiar with it.

I was thankful to share some truths, as it relates to their particular problems, from this great passage of Scripture. Some of the few principles that come from this passage that really apply to all of us and circumstances we may be going through are as follows:

• Life is short and uncertain - live it for God
• Include God in your plans
• Pursue the will of God with all of your heart

These Guys are Good!

That was the tag line for commercials done by the Professional Golfers Association, promoting professional golfers and their tournaments. Yesterday, because of a gift from friends, I, along with my fellow pastor, were able to attend a PGA event in Akron, OH: The Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. I had never been to a professional golf tournament before, and it was a truly amazing experience. Part of the fun was being with a great friend and my pastoring partner in ministry, Steve. We had the day to just hang out together and talk about sports, etc.

We were at the tournament from the first tee off at 8:30 a.m. until the last group finished the final hole, after 6 p.m. We weren't sure exactly how we should follow the golf, so we did a little of everything. We sat at one of the tee off holes, in the bleachers and watched guys hit their opening tee shots. When Phil Mickelson came by (my favorite player), we followed him for about 6 holes, watching him tee off, and then walking up to where his next shot would probably land. After that we put ourselves in position to watch several players play a couple of different fairways, including Tiger Woods, who the majority of spectators were following.

This allowed me to be very close for a couple of shots from players that went wide, right to the place I was standing. So, I got to see their facial expressions, hear the things they said, and watch how they prepared for and then executed their shot. We also stood at a couple of the greens to watch guys approach with their shots and shoot their putts; as well as find places where we could watch one set of players putt and another set of players tee off at the same time.
Finally, we settled ourselves in the bleachers on the 18th hole and watch several players finish their day.

In between some of the watching, we also got to experience some golf, in one of the trailers that Bridgestone, the hosts of the tournament provided. We got to drive some golf balls, in a simulator, which showed how far your ball would go, where it would have landed and some other details about your hit. The furthest I hit a ball landed about 230 yards and rolled another 40 yards, and straight! Another booth was hitting a certain kind of golf ball that you would normally use and they would electronically figure out how far it would go and where it would go; and then they have you hit their newest golf ball that they are trying to market and tell you if that ball performed better. The best thing about that booth was that they gave each person 2 new golf balls. I wonder how long it will take for me to lose these! And in the final booth, they had a golf professional giving free golf lessons. So, I got a free, 5 minute golf lesson. I'm pretty sure I would actually have to practice to put his suggestions into play, so there probably won't be much improvement; but it was fun anyway.

Some observations from my day at Firestone:

• These guys are good. Since I am a duffer golfer, really appreciate watching these guys up close, seeing how they can hit the ball, so far, so accurately. It is amazing
• My favorite player is a nice guy. On the very first hole, I wasn't far from Phil Mickelson's preparation for his second shot. But, before he shot his second one, he took time to acknowledge this playing partners second shot, saying "nice shot". That seemed rare to me, and I didn't hear that the rest of the day from any of the other players. That impressed me that Phil would take the focus off his own shot for just a moment to encourage a younger player
• Tiger Woods is still the most popular player, but as I considered the temporary, nature of golf, I remembered that how he lives his life off the course, and his decision to either follow Christ or his own desires is really what matters.
• Being outside, in God's created world, in a place where the owners of the property have done an excellent job of making things beautiful, is very enjoyable and pleasing to just relax in.
• Experiences in life are always more enjoyable when you do it with friends. Thanks Steve
• Many things I possess and many fun experiences I have like this, are because of the incredible people in my life who think of me and give me thing (like this golf experience) that I don't deserve: thanks Nate and Amy!
• During the day, I was talking to God and saying to Him: Thank you God for this day, for this moment, for this enjoyable experience. Thank you for your loyalty, your truth, your faithfulness. Help me to take one day, one moment at a time, and live it completely for you. You are true, you are holy, you are my refuge and strength. I trust in you with all I have and all I am.

These guys are good, but God is better; and golf is fun, and some of these guys are rich and famous; but knowing and living for God is eternally better. How blessed I am!

Day 83 - points of the message

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Reviewing the points of the message, based on James 4:13-17, entitled: The Christian Atheist
What is it? Making plans without God

• My response: Making plans is great and honors God; but leaving God out of the plans is living life without God, as though we don't believe in Him.

Why is it foolish? Life is short and uncertain

• My response: It is foolish to live life without God because life is short, and a life lived only for selfish desires is a waste. Life is uncertain, in that we don't know what will happen or how long it will last; so it is a waste to live for temporal, unimportant things. With God, our lives can count for something eternal.

What is the solution? Include God's will in your plans

• My response: When I make plans, I want to do it with God in mind, that my number one goal is to please Him, with my actions and attitudes. I want the things of my life to be what God has planned, not me trying to make my own things happen

How do I find God's will? Pray; Read and study God's Word, prepared to obey; Get counsel; flip a coin

• My response: I need to talk to God every day, about the things I am planning for that day, as well as the future. I need to stay in God's Word, and look first to it for the clear answers as to how I should live. I want to keep talking to others, who I respect, about the decisions of my life, asking for their counsel. When there is more than one good option left, I probably won't flip a coin, bu I will just go ahead and make a decision, believing that my sovereign God will direct all things for my spiritual good.

Day 82 - considering God's will

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James 4:13-17

Is it always wrong to make plans for the future?
Of course not. Making plans is a part of wise living and what God wants from us. The problem is making plans without including God and not pursuing His will for our lives.

Is saying "God willing" about every plan a guarantee that we have the right attitude?
Of course not! Just saying these words is like saying the Lord's prayer every day, but not really knowing or pursuing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It has to come from the heart regardless of the particular words.

It is my heart's desire, God, to do your will today. Please give me your wisdom and guidance. May I be thinking of you and what would please you, today.

Day 81 - James and 4:13-17

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Read through the book of James and note how 4:13-17 fits with the rest of the book:
1:9-11 - riches fade; and time goes so quickly. Don't waste your life pursuing selfish desires
1:5 - include God in your decisions and when you are in need of wisdom
chapter 2 is all about faith and works - 4:13-17 is all about including God in your plans, which is an outgrowth of faith meeting works. The faith issue of not knowing the future also fits.
chapter 3 is all about the tongue and the person, in 4:13-17 who is making their plans without God is boasting in their arrogance.
4:7-12 is about humbling yourself and submitting to God and His ways. So, 4:13-17 is really an application of the same thing.
5:12 - when you say something mean it; but according to 4:13-17, it should be in the context of the Lord's will