31 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Heavenly Wisdom" James 3:9-12

31 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Heavenly Wisdom”  James 3:9-12

 

On the Albemarle we have several bodies of water that abounds in tremendous beauty of God’s creation.  The salty waters of the Atlantic line dominate the coastline along the Outer Banks.  At Oregon Inlet the Pamilico and Albemarle Sounds converge and both run approximately a hundred miles in both directions, with great rivers, tributaries, and streams running into them.  The Weeksville peninsula where I live is situated between the Pasquotank and the Little Rivers.  The Newbegun Creek is the closest body of water to my home, flowing into the great Pasquotank it is full of beauty with moss-covered cypress trees that line its banks.  The water appears black in color due in part to the sandy river bed and the marshy tributaries which flow into it.  But it you dip a bucket into the water and draw it out, the water appears as clear as crystal.   It is also freshwater, whereas the Pasquotank has a slight brackish taste to it.  The Albemarle is stronger yet with much seawater flowing into the Oregon Inlet, depending upon the tide.  The region is a sportsman’s paradise with many species of fish and game abiding.  The majestic American Bald Eagle flies over our shores.  The alligator is even known to swim in our waters and occasionally is spotted by fishermen. 

 

James 3:12 asks “Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.”   We have at least two vineyards in Weeksville.  They produce Scuppernong and Muscadine grapes.  Both possess also fig trees.  I have observed them and James is right.  There are no grapes growing on the fig trees. Nor do the figs grow on the grape vines.  The Newbegun Creek, which nourishes these vineyards, produce fresh water.  If it was salty, the vineyards would die, and so would our sportsman’s paradise and the vegetable crops which abound here in Weeksville. 

 

The point that James makes in this verse is that the tongue is like the source of our rivers.  While it may be brackish at some points, it starts out as freshwater-like the Newbegun, or salty like the Atlantic.  But it doesn’t flow fresh and salty at the same time or in the same proportions.  Yet there is a phenomenon which abounds in mystery and that is the use of our tongue.  With it, James says, “we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”   If our waters flowed in the same way that our mouths spout out both blessing and cursing, Weeksville would be a vast wasteland- a desert.  A tragic scourge of nothingness would lay between our shores.  This is unfortunately lies around us in the hearts of those whom we have both blessed and cursed with the same lips and tongue which God has given it.  And it certainly ought not to be so.  The power of God, however, can transform our mouths into instruments of blessing and love with enough to share to everyone around us.

 

Consider today what is the source of your heart?  Is it salty, or is it fresh? 

 

Have a blessed day.

 

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

28 October 2005 Devotion for Today "A Little Fire" James 3:5-6

28 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “A Little Fire”  James 3:5-6

 

            Last week I was on my way to pick someone up to take them to our annual associational meeting when I noticed a fire truck in the driveway in the home of someone I knew.  As I slowed down I was shocked to see that this double-wide mobile home had been all but destroyed by a blaze a few hours before.  A disabled couple lived there with their teen-aged son.  The parents both suffered from severe lung ailments and were on oxygen.  Apparently an oxygen tube had caught fire somehow, igniting the oxygen tanks, causing an explosion.  Thankfully the family managed to escape although all of their worldly possessions had been destroyed.  Their daughter recently relocated here from New Jersey, so the family had a place to go.  But counseling with this family in their grief was very difficult.  They poured out their hearts to me and they cried in spite of my attempts to take hope in Jesus Christ.  Their loss was enormous, and it would be hard for this couple, in their mid-fifties, to start over again on a disability income.  All of the memories they possessed with photographs and mementoes of their children were gone.   Everything that had taken them years to build and accumulate was gone in the course of about twenty-five minutes.

 

            James reflects upon this very thing in James 3:  “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.  See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.  The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” 

 

            The Apostle does not hide his feelings about the use-or abuse- of the tongue.  Had he seen the house fire that I had witnessed it is likely James would have said that although the home could be replaced, he had known more vicious fires that have destroyed what could not be replaced that were even more costly.  A reputation, for example, can never be replaced once someone has destroyed it through vicious lies or gossip.  Precious relationships in marriage and family-built up over the course of decades- have been torn down by a hasty word spoken in anger in the heat of a moment.  I have seen the sweet spirit of Christian unity and communion utterly decimated by an ill-chosen time or place to spout off words of frustration.  The charred wreckage of fellowship and friendships past dot the landscapes of our souls that no insurance could ever award highly enough to replace were they be able to do so.  God is grieved by it also.  No wonder James says that it is set on fire by hell.

 

I could comment upon why this happens so often.  The tongue boasts great things, James says.  Personal arrogance and over-estimation of importance has ignited more fires than can be counted.  Someone once said that information is power.  Some people derive a sense of security and power by possessing knowledge about others which they wish to share.  Others cannot control what goes in one ear and out their big mouth.  However the fire is started, the outcome is just the same; leaving others to pick up the pieces of another’s destruction. 

 

            Perhaps you are looking at the charred remains of what another ignited through the improper use of the tongue.  If so it should be a great lesson to you not to abuse the trust that God has in your through the use of your tongue.  And if you must use it, keep a fire extinguisher near by.  Have a blessed day!

 

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

Devotion for Today "Hope Deferred" Proverbs 13:12

Devotion for Today  "Hope Deferred"  Proverbs 13:12

The story is told of two Americans who were visiting a South American country when
they both ran afoul of the law and faced death by a firing squad. Before their
execution the squad commander asked if they had a final request. The first said,
"Right before I die, I want you to play that Macarena song so I can do that dance
one last time." The Commander said, "We can do that." He then turned to the
next man and said, "Do you have a final request?" The man said, "Yes. Shoot me
first!"

Have you ever had the feeling that things were going too well? Have you ever thought
something bad must be about to happen?  Perhaps you feel the feeling of hopelessness
and desperation coming over you today.  The feeling of hopelessness causes people to
resort to desperate measures. I am told that in Cuba, almost 100 teenagers are reported
to have intentionally self-injected themselves with the AIDS virus. They know, of
course, that the virus will kill them in a few years. Oddly enough, their motive
isn't suicide; it is security. In Cuba, all AIDS victims are confined to sanitariums,
where they experience a level of comfort many Cubans never see: three full meals a
day, air conditioning, no power outages, and no police. They give themselves AIDS,
they say, to be liberated from society and obligatory work. In the early 1990's,
Castro introduced a new national slogan: Socialism or Death. These individuals chose
death.

But we do not have to make that choice.  Solomon says in our Proverb today: "Hope
deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."
When the pall of hopelessness is draped over your life, there is a deadness in the
pit of your stomach that makes you want to die.  The evil one knows this and has
worked effectively to destroy the lives of many people with this deadly blanket.
But Jesus Christ is that tree of life.  Christ blows away the cloud of hopelessness so
that the streaming sunlight of His love can nourish and warm you so that you may
grow and thrive, and have something better to look forward to.  Have a blessed day!

Jeff Russell
Devotion for Today
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net
salembaptistch@earthlink.net
Web address: http://25621.lifewaylink.com

25 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Hung by the Tongue" James 3:1-5

25 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Hung by the Tongue”  James 3:1-5

 

¹ My brethren, Mat. 23:8be not many masters, Luke 6:37knowing that we shall receive the greater Or, judgmentcondemnation.

¹ Mat. 23:8; Luke 6:3² For 1 Ki. 8:46;2 Chr. 6:36;Prov. 20:9in many things we offend all. Ps. 34:13;1 Pet. 3:10If any man offend not in word, Mat. 12:37the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

² 1 Ki. 8:46; 2 Chr. 6:36; Prov. 20:9; Ps. 34:13; 1 Pet. 3:10; Mat. 12:37 ³ Behold, Ps. 32:9we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

³ Ps. 3⁴ Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

⁵ Even so Prov. 12:18the tongue is a little member, and Ps. 12:3boasteth great things. Behold, how great Or, wooda matter a little fire kindleth.  (James 3:1-5)

 

The story is told of a young boy who was selling a push lawnmower. This Baptist preacher came along and wanted to buy it and asked if it ran. "Yes sir", said the boy. The preacher pulled and pulled on the rope and said, "Son, this thing won’t start!" The boy said, "That’s ‘cause you ‘gotta’ cuss it!" The preacher said, "Son, I’m a Baptist preacher, and I haven’t cussed in about 25 years." The boy said, "Keep pulling; it’ll come back to you!" 

 

Old habits sometimes do come back to us- especially the habit of how we use the tongue.  In fact, in many people the tongue is the one habit that was never truly sanctified.  There is so much here to expound upon that time or space does not permit to recount the dangers, hurts, and agony the ill use of the tongue has either caused me, or caused to others through me.  Gross misunderstandings have even occurred when I had been trying to think of something nice to say and it came out not sounding at all like what I had meant to say.  That is the reason why James first of all tells us not to allow many of us to become teachers, knowing that we shall receive stricter judgment.  By teachers James means teachers of the Word of God, for they are held to a higher standard.   Every word which comes from the teacher’s mouth is going to affect the body of Christ in one way or another.  Any one who teaches God’s word- professional or not- has the responsibility to be very careful in what he says.  They set the example of demonstrating Christlike love and character before others.  If their words sound crude, crass, or negative then the same light is cast upon the very character of Christ Himself.  If the pulpit or teaching lectern is used to tear down instead of to build up, that person will be held accountable. 

 

James says rightly that we offend or stumble in many things, and the one who can be most admired is the one who does not stumble with respect to the use of his tongue.   James calls him a “perfect” man- not perfect in terms of sinlessness- but perfect in terms of being spiritually mature, able to impart grace when everyone else is sliding out of control. When this type of quality is present, it keeps everyone in the group thinking clearly and respectfully when the temptation to “speak one’s mind” is the greatest.  As Christians we bear the responsibility of maintaining this kind of character at all time. 

 

I will be dealing with the proper use of the tongue again.  Considering the length of material to which James dedicates in this chapter, the subject matter cannot be emphasized enough.  But in closing today ask yourself, “Do I demonstrate spiritual maturity by how I use my tongue?  Where are there opportunities around me where the use of my tongue can demonstrate grace and blessing to people, and glory to Christ? 

 

Have a blessed day!

 

 

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

24 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Abraham Believed God" James 2:23-26

24 October 2005 Devotion for Today  “Abraham Believed God”  James 2:23-26

 

We are living in a truth crisis.  We have heard just about everything- or we think that we have that we do not stop to listen what other people are trying to say.  Skepticism has caused us to turn inward.  But we find with turning inward a horrible reality- that there is nothing there.   We have been watching the tired old theme on television for so long that we actually believe it: that ministers are out to fleece their flocks, that church people are hypocrites, and that Christians are nothing but phonies.  They are telling us these days that the truth lies within us-that all we need to do is to look within ourselves to find the answers we so desperately seek.  But this is not very helpful, even if it were the truth.  Most people are afraid of the truth.  We are afraid that if we should ever be confront the truth about ourselves that we would not wish to see it.  So seeing the truth within ourselves is not very helpful. 

 

James tells us, “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness,” And he was called the friend of God.  You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.  Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  James 2:23-26

 

Abraham believed God.  He trusted in Him when there was nothing tangible except God’s word and promise that Abraham should follow Him out of the Ur of the Chaldees to the land that God would show him.  Abraham believed God when God told him that he should take his son Isaac up to the mount to sacrifice him, knowing that God would provide something else as a burnt offering.  Abraham believed God when there was nothing to base that trust on and still believed God anyway.  Many say that they do not trust God- could it be that they have never fully trusted in Him or placed themselves in a position where God would be there for them?  It is hard to see what God is doing when the mind is so full of one’s own ways and full of doubt at the same time.

 

Abraham was also called a friend of God.  To be a friend means to know someone, to depend upon them, and to trust them.  There are many people that I know but I cannot say I am their friend because I have never built much of a relationship with.  They are people I can strike up a conversation with if we happen to be thrown together.  I would call them a casual acquaintance, and I have lots of those.  If I do not spend time with them, I cannot say that I am their friend.  Abraham was God’s friend because he spent time with God.  He trusted God and depended upon Him. 

 

What about you?  Do you consider yourself a friend of God, or are you just a casual acquaintance?  God wants you to trust Him, believe Him, and to be His friend.  Have a blessed day.

 

Jeff Russell
Devotion for Today
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net
salembaptistch@earthlink.net
Web address: http://25621.lifewaylink.com

20 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Faith and Works" James 2:14-18

20 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Faith and Works”   James 2:14-18

 

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can faith save him?  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”  Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  James 2:14-18

 

I saw this little note one time and thought it was cute.  I would like to share it with you:

 My dearest Sally,
I love you more than anything else in the whole world. I would climb the highest mountain just to be with you. I would walk across the hottest desert just to be with you. I would swim the deepest ocean just to be with you. Nothing can separate us and our love. Your beloved Michael.
P.S. See you Saturday night if it does not rain.

Sometimes people’s Christian faith is a lot like Michael’s feelings for Sally.  People get sentimental about their faith.  They think about how much God does for them and talk about how much He means to them.  They reflect fondly about the little white church they went to as a child, and all the time they spent there.  Perhaps that is because they do not have much to talk about in the present.  Faith is not just something we talk about.  Faith is not even describing how much God means to us.  Faith is not even about the place where we go (or used to go) for worship.  Faith has meaning only when it is put with doing meaningful things for others in the name of Jesus Christ.  I know lots of people who tell me how important God is to their lives- but their faith doesn’t make much change in their lives, much less for anyone else.  James calls that a dead faith- a faith that has no meaning because really, it is non-existent.

 

Having said that, I have to be careful not to equate faith and works.  There are some who believe that to get to heaven one has to be busy, busy and hope that God will smile down on them in their business.  And should they ever keel over with a heart attack while they are laboring for the Lord, He will take them straight to heaven.  It doesn’t work like that, either.  One has to make a firm commitment to Jesus Christ and declare who He is to the world and live accordingly.  This kind of real faith will want to be expressed by getting involved in things that make a difference in people’s lives for the Lord.  Doing things at church is one of many ways to express that faith in Christ.  One may get involved in worthy activities in the community to serve others.  The kind of faith that James talks about here does not just show up on Sunday morning.  It shows up every day of the week.

 

An elderly gentleman in our church told me the other day, “Check on me from time to time to see if I’m still kicking!”  How about your faith today?  Is it still kicking?

 

Have a blessed day.

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

19 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Exalt the Horn" Psalm 148

 19 October 2005  Devotion for Today  "Exalt the Horn"  Psalm 148

I must say I was rather amused when traveling to Italy at our recent
ministers/wives retreat.  The traffic patterns were, may I say, quite
different than what I am used to.  Perhaps it was just my perception,
but the drivers seem to be quite erratic and aggressive on the road.
It is almost as though the moment they get into the car, they immediately
hit the accelerator for high speed, stopping abruptly at traffic lights
(maybe).  Thousands upon thousands of motor bikes and scooters whiz
their way around the city of Rome, and will run over a pedestrian
before going around him.  I actually saw this happen as a scooterist
took off out of a covered parking area and without even stopping,
buzzed out into the busy street.  But he did not see a female pedestrian
who crossed the street in front of him.  He struck her in the shoulder,
causing her to spin around in circles before falling to the ground.
She got back up, clutching her injured shoulder.  The scooterist,
however, did not get up.  He lay on the pavement, stunned for several
minutes, though not badly hurt.  However, the next vehicle came
barreling out of the parking area at full speed, bearing down upon the
injured scooterist.  This man stopped his sleek, southern European
sports car just inches from the victims head and madly blasted the horn.
He continued doing this, not caring if the scooterist could get up or
not.  The pedestrian began flailing her uninjured arm at the driver of
the sports car, speaking excitedly in protest.  The scooterist finally
got up and within seconds they all were hurling insults at one another.
Not that I could understand them, mind you, just my observation of
the body language.  However, the driver continued to honk his horn.

I was told later that in Italy, there is one essential piece of equipment
that must function normally to pass inspection.  Even if the brakes and
the tires and the exhaust system fail to meet the saftey requirement-
the vehicle will pass if the horn works properly!

I don't think this is exactly what the psalmist had in mind in Psalm
148 when he writes: "Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His
name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.  And He
has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints-of
the children of Israel, a people near to Him.  Praise the Lord."
(Vv. 13-14).  The horn was not a saftey instrument in the vehicles of the
ancient Hebrews, rather it was an instrument of praise in the Temple
and the Tabernacle.  Often it was a ram's horn blown to call the people
of Israel to prayer or to signify the beginning of worship.  At various
points throughout the ritual, the priests would blow the horns as the
choirs and chanters sang.  As an instrument of praise, it was much
preferable than one would hear on the streets of Rome or anywhere else,
for that matter.  IT assisted the people and helped to elevate the
volume of their praise and enthusiasm for God in worship.  It stirred
their hearts every time the horn was played.

Except when larger churches use trumpets in their orchestras we don't
use many horns today in worship. But I did see this bumper-sticker that
might bring the ancient and modern understanding of the use of the
horn closer together than I might otherwise have thought:  "Honk if You
Love Jesus!"  Have a blessed day!

From 15 March 2001

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

18 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Showing Partiality" James 2:1-9

18 October 2005   Devotion for Today   “Showing Partiality”  James 2:1-9

 

            “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.  For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?  Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?  But you have dishonored the poor man.  Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?  Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?  If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”   James 2:1-9

            What is partiality?  It is the showing favor or valuing certain persons more than others because of the perception of what they can do for you or the group that you are with.  It happens frequently on all social levels and it also frequently happens in the church.  I find it interesting the reaction that people have toward visitors who show up at church.  If they seem educated, wear nice clothes, or drive a nice automobile they seem to get more attention than the guy who shows up in the pick up truck wearing a flannel shirt and jeans.  I have actually seen where people will walk right past the latter without so much as a glance so that they can speak to the more wealthy person.  If a dignitary or some other notable individual comes into the congregation it is often amusing to watch people fall all over themselves in an effort to greet them.  To my shame I must admit I have done this myself.  James makes it very plain that this sort of behavior is sin- on the same level as drunken dissipation, murder, or sexual infidelity.

            James obviously is very concerned about this matter judging by the length of material to which he devotes to it.  He tells us to resist treating people favorably.  First of all, wealthy people know when they are being patronized. It is as demeaning to them as it is ignoring the poor person.  It demonstrates that we only value them for their money-and how much potentially it can show up in our wallets-rather than valuing them as individuals who have the same spiritual needs as everyone else.  Showing more attention to others for what they can do for us exhibits a lack of faith in God to provide for us or to give us the self esteem that we feel that we need.  It may make us look good to be seen in the presence of the astute, the sophisticated, the wealthy, or the powerful.  But it does not make us look good to God.  It is interesting how Jesus, the half-brother of this apostle, was sought out by the rich young ruler, and people like Nicodemus.  But Jesus did not seek them out.  He challenged these men to give their lives to God and did not fear offending them.  He related the same concern to the poor, the prostitutes, the tax collectors and the sick. 

            We ought then to be thankful for the favor that God bestows upon us-not because of who we are or in what we have done-but because none of us are worthy for God to give us one glance in our direction-much less be saved.  We are saved because of who God is, not because of who we are.  Thank Him for His impartial love for all sinners today.    Have a blessed day.

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

16 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Religion or Relationship?" James 1:26-27

16 October 2005      Devotion for Today     “Religion or Relationship?”  James 1:26-27

 

            For some reason, the question posed by a British teen aged friend years and years ago comes across my mind every now and then.  This was in the early 1970s near the town of Watford, and I was with some young boys on what they called the “South Oxhey Football” (soccer) pitch, giving them some amusement to see what their “Yank” friend was able to do.  We were finishing our little match and my friends announced that they wanted to meet again the next morning, which was Sunday.  “Oi, Jeff, can you be here, too?” one asked.

            “No,” I said hesitantly, “Gotta go to church in the morning but maybe in the afternoon I can play.”

            I could tell that the response gave the kids even more derisive pleasure.

            “Church?  You mean you believe in religion?” said one friend, tauntingly.  “Core, I don’t think I’ve ever been to church a handful of times in me life!”

            I braced myself for the teasing that I knew I would probably get for making such a remark.  These British boys had seldom been to church.  They were christened in the Church of England as babies and perhaps had not been to church since except for their confirmation classes a year or two before.  But we got into a good discussion about the value of church and what it means.  One of the boys reflected fondly upon how, at his confirmation with twelve or fifteen other young people, the bishop sponsored a dance at the parish hall in which alcohol was served to the parents and other guests.  The boy bragged about how many of the confirmants sneeked beer from the party and went behind the parish hall to get drunk.  They only managed to get very sick before they were discovered.  When the bishop and the vicar heard about it, they laughed.   I was incredulous as I heard their tale. 

            Another boy, who was in the same parish confirmant class, boasted about how he would steal sacramental wine from the vestry, and how the absent-minded vicar would come into class complaining how every time the parish held the classes he never managed to keep enough wine around for the Sunday Eucharist.  Somehow he never quite made the connection.  Again the boys laughed. 

            I couldn’t recall about what I was more appalled at- that these young men would have such lack of respect for God as to use their confirmation classes as an excuse to get drunk, or the sheer lack of understanding and value that faith held for them.  And not just for them only, but also their parents and for the clergy who thought the whole sordid ordeal was hilarious.  By their response they admitted that they probably played the same game themselves.  Wisely I withheld my urge to comment upon their stories, because they would not have understood even if they had wanted.

            I have come to loath the word religion since then, for its very expression betrays a lack of a genuine spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.  Religion conveys a feeble, if not grudging response of man to reach out to God on man’s own terms with such cold formality that desires to say more about who they are than who God is.  The term religion implies an inadequate response to the love that God has for us.   Do I believe in religion?  No.  As I see it, religion has done more to keep people from really knowing God than pointing people to Him.  I don’t believe in religion.  But I do believe in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  The outflow of my love for Him has never compelled me to practice the expression of my faith in Christ- the response is automatic.  What is more, (the situation in raising children is always being subject to change) I have never had to demand that my three teenagers attend church.  For that I also give God the glory.  To them their faith is not a religion, it is born out of a loving relationship with God.

            James says that “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:26-27

            James was concerned that expression of one’s faith be consistent with the overflow of one’s heart.  Obviously being “religious” does not have much effect when it does not evoke change in the manner in which one uses one’s tongue. “Real religion” is not only consistent, it is also proactive.  Don’t get me wrong- It’s not that I am against religious expression- whatever that means.  But if it is not born out of a love for God that creates an inner desire to serve Him then it does not have much value for me.  I doubt it has much value to God, either.  Each day I must ask myself, “Do I exhibit religion or relationship in all that I do today?” 

 

Have a blessed day.

 

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

13 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Mirror Image" James 1:21-25

13 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Mirror Image”  James 1:21-25

 

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  ²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

 

Have you looked in the mirror, lately?  For some that is an encouraging invitation.  For others a frightening prospect.  People have been looking into mirrors for thousands of years.  Making mirrors was an art form in Biblical times.  Before that, I suppose they looked into pools of water to see their reflections.  Everyone needs to look into a mirror at least once a day.  You need a mirror to see if you look presentable enough to appear in public.  You need a mirror to see how your hair looks.  You need a mirror to back your car out of the driveway or to get your boat down a boat ramp.  Just because one looks into  a mirror does not imply vanity. 

 

The Word of God is a mirror of our souls.  When we look into it, we immediately see a mental picture of ourselves.  Sometimes the reflection is not too flattering.  At other times it is disheartening.  But the mirror does not conform to the image.  It is the image that must conform to the mirror.  Therefore we must make the needed adjustments as we take a long look at ourselves.  James tells us, as we peer into the reflection, to lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.  Jesus said that it is what comes out of a man that defiles him.  The world is full of filthiness.  Filthy talk, filthy language, filthy jokes, etc.  That ought never to be part of the Christian’s life.  We are to be doers of the Word- not hearers only.   It amazes me the number of people who go to church- park themselves in front of a preacher for an hour- and still manage to live the same way they came in.  When some come they act as though they are doing God a favor by being there.  If they are Christians, the image of Christ is not reflecting in their lives much if at all. 

 

Have you ever been to an amusement park and observed a hall of mirrors?  Many of the mirrors are made to make us look distorted and funny.  We are amused as we watch our image shrink or grow fat as we move around in front of it.  Being a doer-and not a hearer-of the Word causes us to see a distorted image of ourselves.  The worst part of all is that others can see the distortion, but we cannot.  Its like James says, we look into the mirror and then walk away and forget what we look like.

 

What image are you casting today?  Is it a reflection of Jesus Christ?  May we live to be mirror images of Him and we will be blessed-and be a blessing to others.

 

Have a blessed day.

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

12 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Be Slow to Speak" James 1:19-20

 

12 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Be Slow to Speak”  James 1:19-20

 

¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  James 1:19-20

 

At Southwestern seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. William Tolar’s Biblical Hermeneutics class was one of my favorites.  An energetic Cajun from Louisiana, Dr. Tolar rattled off more information in one minute than most people could give in an hour.  I never saw him read from any of his notes.  His classes were always interesting, but one had to pay careful attention and write furiously as he spoke.  Finally, an exasperated student raised his hand and said, “Dr. Tolar, I’m having trouble keeping up with the fast pace.  Would you mind slowing down a bit- after all, the Bible says, “Be slow to speak.”  Without even batting an eye, Dr. Tolar said, “Yes, but first it says ‘be quick to hear!’” 

 

We all got a good laugh about that in class that day.  He then turned the lecture into a preaching point about its one thing to speak quickly when disseminating information, but to speak quickly to someone, especially when angry, can be devastating.   Tuning people out, not allowing them to speak, or cutting them off assuming they are saying one thing when they mean another- is the perfect equation which  equals gross misunderstanding and heart ache.   How many relationships have been hurt or damaged beyond repair because of a word spoken too hastily?  How many opportunities for ministry have been denied because we got off to a wrong start with someone because we acted out of frustration rather than appealing to the grace of God to help us communicate better with that other person?  

 

The kind of person who pops off, says anything he wants and doesn’t care what anybody thinks is successful only on the big screen and not in real life.  James says that the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God- never.  It never leads to anyone getting saved- instead it always brings the worst out in everybody-especially ourselves.

 

Are you facing a situation that may cause you to be quick to speak today?  I hope and pray that you will consider James’ admonition before you are able to open up your mouth and say the wrong thing.  If you must be quick, be quick to hear.

 

Have a blessed day!

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

11 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Who's to Blame?" James 1:12-16

11 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Who’s to Blame?”  James 1:12-16

            “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”  James 1:12-16

            The story is told of the somewhat overweight individual who was on his way to work one morning when the overwhelming urge to stop at the donut shop began to set in on him.  As he approached the shop, he began to pray, fighting off the temptation saying, “Dear Lord, I know you don’t want me to stop at the donut shop today, so I need a sign of encouragement from you.  Please don’t let there be a parking place available when I drive by and then I’ll know you are helping me fight this temptation.” 

            The prayer worked, at least for a while until-after about ten trips around the donut shop- someone left the man an empty parking place in front of the donut shop!

            Temptation.  People say you can’t fight it, so why not just give in to it.  Why not just do it if thinking about it is as bad.  If it feels good, do it.  You only go around once in this life, so why not go for all the gusto that you can!  These and other statements underscore the lack of responsibility we have for resisting the temptations that face us.  The fallacy in the thinking is that someone other than ourselves is responsible for tempting us and therefore we are not to be blamed.  The first One people consider for blaming their temptations upon is God.  James says, however, that we cannot blame God. Some will reason- if God gave us these desires within our flesh-then why should we be held responsible for them.
             James gives us some proofs why God is never responsible for temptation.
The first is found within the nature of God.  God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone. The Greek literally says God is inexperienced in evil. His holy, perfect, sinless nature makes it impossible for Him to be influenced by evil or to influence others with evil.
            Then we look at the nature of man. The real culprit in temptation is not the temptation without but the traitor within. Note the emphasis on the nature of man in the way James develops the anatomy of temptation. Temptation keys on a problem within ourselves. James identifies it as desire. It is the desire of our own hearts. In this context it is clearly speaking of evil desire. Temptation, keying on the desire in our hearts, does two things. It drags us away.  This is a hunting term that pictures an animal being lured into a trap by its own instinctual desire for the bait. Next, Temptation entices us. This term is used to describe a fish being lured to the hook by the bait. Temptation lures us and then traps us.
            Then note how individually oriented temptation is. James says that “each one” is tempted when he is dragged away and enticed by “his own” evil desire. We all have our own individual proclivities and weaknesses that are targeted by the Tempter.  What might be a problem for you may not be a problem for me, and vice-versa.  Even as I am saying this, you are probably thinking of your areas of vulnerability right now. You can identify those areas of desire where you are constantly battling temptation. Why is that? Because the tempter is an experienced fisherman. He knows exactly what kind of bait to tie on and throw to awaken the sinful desires in your soul.  The key to fighting this temptation is not the willpower to keep the bait from bothering us, but to stay away from the fisherman altogether!  A fish may blame the fisherman for getting caught on a hook, but he ends up being fried just the same!

            Have a blessed day!

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

10 October 2005 Devotion for Today "No Work-No Eat!" 2 Thess. 3:8-12

10 October 2005  Devotion for Today  "No Work-No Eat!"  2 Thess. 3:8-12

Several years ago a homeless man stood on our busy street corner in
Bethesda, MD with a sign that read, "Will Work for Food."  He looked
pitiful, and I had compassion on him.  I also had a big job of cleaning
out a basement and little time to get it done, so I walked up to this
homeless one to enlist his help for a meal.  I should not have been
suprised at the response I got, but I was.

I said, "But sir, your sign says you will work for food."  He shot
back, "Aw, buzz off, will ya?  I'm too busy collecting the free stuff
to be bothered with that anyway!"  I felt bewildered, not that my offer
was treated so rudely, and not because of the character of this man
who would rather accept handouts rather than a decent day's work, but
for a society that would cater to this mentality to assuage their own
guilt.

Don't get me wrong.  I am constantly on the look-out for how I can
help people in the name of Jesus. Many times I have been blessed to
know that in Christ I was able to meet that need. We need to do all
we can to help the homeless and others who are needy in the world we
live in.  Its what Christ taught us.  However, should those who have
been blessed by God as a result of their hard work and industriousness
be made to feel guilty for not helping those that could help themselves,
but won't?  I honestly believe that those who have fallen on hard times
will not stay there long if they refuse to depend upon for a lifetime
what was meant to be temporary. 

How much more true this should be of Christians.  The Apostle Paul,
in 2 Thessalonians 3, pointed out that the church there was probably
more generous than they needed to be.  There was no doubt that they
helped the poor, and they were commended for that.  However, they also
tolerated a certain number of people who were lazy for what they
considered to be spiritual reasons.  These people actually believed that
since Christ was returning soon, they would sell their homes and
businesses and then live off the good will of those who were not as
resolute in the faith as they were.  Paul said that this was not only
a disgrace, but in violation to God's Word:

"Nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor
and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an
example of how you should follow us.  For even when we were with you, we
commanded you this:  If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For
we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner,
not working at all, but busybodies.  Now those who are such we
command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in
quietness and eat their own bread."  I Thessalonians 3:8-12

The old proverb says, "Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish, and he will eat all his life."  Have a blessed day.

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

06 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Tipping Drills" James 1:6-8

 

06 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Tipping Drills”  James 1:6-8

 

⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8)

 

            A week or so ago the sailing class of which I am a participant engaged in what we called “tipping drills.”  In this exercise we learned what we should do if our boat ever capsized.  This is important because a sudden gust from a northeast wind can destabilize the sailing craft immediately and throw it out of control.  On a couple of occasions, some of the students accidentally got “tipped” into the water.  Their error occurred because they were not prepared for the whimsical gusts that could blow over at any time and secondly because they did not balance their craft correctly.  We have been learning how important it is for the helmsman and crew to sit on the windward side of the boat (the side on which the wind is blowing first).

Righting the sailboat is really just a matter of applied physics and balance.  As soon as the boat over-heels and spills the passengers into the water, it is important to keep calm.  In the exercise I swam to where the mast was down into the water just above the deck and stepped up onto it and scrambled over the gunwale- stepping onto the protruding centerboard.  The centerboard, or keel, is that which stabilizes the boat located beneath the hull.  Grabbing one of the jib lines I stepped further out onto the centerboard and as I did I felt the boat falling toward me back into the water.  Soon I was in the water myself but the boat and the mast were both upright; ready for us to start sailing again.  All that was left for me to do was to scramble back over the transom and into the cockpit- a much more difficult task than righting the boat to start with.  Thus ended a very enjoyable lesson.

Reflecting upon the lesson caused me to realize not only how unstable sailing vessels can be but how much more so people can be if they are not properly balanced in their faith by the Word of God.  This happens when people are either too overconfident in their abilities to sustain life or when they are not confident enough in God to sustain them.  As I mentioned, most tipping accidents on the water occur when the passengers and crew are not balancing the sailboat like they should.  Some of it is caused by sheer lack of confidence and fear of the water.  When this happens the inexperienced helmsman is likely to be overcome by the fickle winds and waves and not respond quickly enough, causing the craft to destabilize instantly.  On the other hand, there are some sailors who know just enough to be a danger to themselves and others.  They think they know more than they do.  They more confident they are in their abilities, the less they consider the effect of the gusts that can blow in without warning. 

Sailing a boat is an almost perfect analogy where relying upon one’s faith in God and maintaining a watchful, human eye intersect to make one successful in nearly every experience of human life.  I say almost perfect because none of us do anything perfectly, and there may be times where we’ve done everything human possible from preventing a bad experience and things can still go out of control.  Still when this occurs we must have faith and not give into panic or doubt which will cause us to go down perhaps faster than if we allowed things to take their natural course- all the while trusting God to bear us up.  A double-minded person is one who tries to have a firm hold on everything around him yet says he believes and trusts in God.  When his life capsizes, however, he cannot understand why God has let him down.  He fails to realize that because of his overconfident hold on life, he has shut out the very One who can help him in the likelihood of the failure that will blow his way.  The ensuing panic he experiences makes the situation more even unstable than it would have been had he just trusted God.

The lesson? It might be good for you to experience a tipping drill in your life- to know how to be prepared for emergencies, but to let have God have control- not just when we see the storm on the horizon, but let Him have the helm at all times.  Have a blessed day.

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/

06 October 2005 Devotion for Today "Tipping Drills" James 1:6-8

06 October 2005  Devotion for Today  “Tipping Drills”  James 1:6-8

 

⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8)

 

            A week or so ago the sailing class of which I am a participant engaged in what we called “tipping drills.”  In this exercise we learned what we should do if our boat ever capsized.  This is important because a sudden gust from a northeast wind can destabilize the sailing craft immediately and throw it out of control.  On a couple of occasions, some of the students accidentally got “tipped” into the water.  Their error occurred because they were not prepared for the whimsical gusts that could blow over at any time and secondly because they did not balance their craft correctly.  We have been learning how important it is for the helmsman and crew to sit on the windward side of the boat (the side on which the wind is blowing first).

Righting the sailboat is really just a matter of applied physics and balance.  As soon as the boat over-heels and spills the passengers into the water, it is important to keep calm.  In the exercise I swam to where the mast was down into the water just above the deck and stepped up onto it and scrambled over the gunwale- stepping onto the protruding centerboard.  The centerboard, or keel, is that which stabilizes the boat located beneath the hull.  Grabbing one of the jib lines I stepped further out onto the centerboard and as I did I felt the boat falling toward me back into the water.  Soon I was in the water myself but the boat and the mast were both upright; ready for us to start sailing again.  All that was left for me to do was to scramble back over the transom and into the cockpit- a much more difficult task than righting the boat to start with.  Thus ended a very enjoyable lesson.

Reflecting upon the lesson caused me to realize not only how unstable sailing vessels can be but how much more so people can be if they are not properly balanced in their faith by the Word of God.  This happens when people are either too overconfident in their abilities to sustain life or when they are not confident enough in God to sustain them.  As I mentioned, most tipping accidents on the water occur when the passengers and crew are not balancing the sailboat like they should.  Some of it is caused by sheer lack of confidence and fear of the water.  When this happens the inexperienced helmsman is likely to be overcome by the fickle winds and waves and not respond quickly enough, causing the craft to destabilize instantly.  On the other hand, there are some sailors who know just enough to be a danger to themselves and others.  They think they know more than they do.  They more confident they are in their abilities, the less they consider the effect of the gusts that can blow in without warning. 

Sailing a boat is an almost perfect analogy where relying upon one’s faith in God and maintaining a watchful, human eye intersect to make one successful in nearly every experience of human life.  I say almost perfect because none of us do anything perfectly, and there may be times where we’ve done everything human possible from preventing a bad experience and things can still go out of control.  Still when this occurs we must have faith and not give into panic or doubt which will cause us to go down perhaps faster than if we allowed things to take their natural course- all the while trusting God to bear us up.  A double-minded person is one who tries to have a firm hold on everything around him yet says he believes and trusts in God.  When his life capsizes, however, he cannot understand why God has let him down.  He fails to realize that because of his overconfident hold on life, he has shut out the very One who can help him in the likelihood of the failure that will blow his way.  The ensuing panic he experiences makes the situation more even unstable than it would have been had he just trusted God.

The lesson? It might be good for you to experience a tipping drill in your life- to know how to be prepared for emergencies, but to let have God have control- not just when we see the storm on the horizon, but let Him have the helm at all times.  Have a blessed day.

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

website:   http://25621.lifewaylink.com
http://jeffrussellsblog.blogspot.com
http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com/