What anger cannot do.......

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

James 1:20n for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James moves to a new subject here.....Anger, or as he calls it the "Wrath of Man"

But, leading up to that he says a number of things.

1. He tells us we are beloved brethren. God loves us.

2. He tells us to be swift to hear.

3. He tells us to be slow to speak.

4. He tells us to be slow to wrath, or get angry.

In these four things, we are reminded of who we are, we are indeed loved by God, and He as our father then, gives us this instruction about our actions, our hearts and our words. These are God's instructions, that will help us greatly in our lives, and in our relationships with others. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Then he explains more about anger, specifically, what it will not, and cannot accomplish. Our getting angry about something is not going to bring about the God's ways, and God's will in a situation. We will not accomplish what we might think by getting angry.

Finally, in these verses, we are told lay aside, or get rid of, to put our of our lives, any and all things that are filthy. And, then in humility of spirit, to accept the message that God has planted in our hearts, because it's powerful enough to save our very souls.

He will talk more about our relationship to the Word of God in the next few verses. We will look at that tomorrow.......

But, this is plenty to chew on, and to think about, and to digest. May what's said here in James 1:19-21 become a part of our lives. May we take these many things that have been given to us, and by God's grace, and our faith in action, put them into practice in our lives this very day. What are they?

Quick to listen.

Slow to speak.

Slow to get angry.

Put sin and evil out of our lives.

Humbly receive God's Word.

Blessings to you today, of God's grace, mercy and peace.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. We probably need to hear what James is saying.

2. God knows we are all pretty much alike.

3. God wants to curb our tendencies and make us like Him.

4. If we will open our hearts to this instruction, it will change us.

5. Will you think about what was said here?

6. Will you read it again, and then think about it again?

7. God has blessings in store for you.

8. You are one of those beloved brothers or sisters in Christ.

How to find good and be happy

The answer to the statement is found right here in the verse below.

Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

It has to do with the Word of God and the Lord.

First of all, we are told that the person who heeds the Word wisely, will find good. To heed the Word wisely, means, "those who listen to instruction" God gives us instruction through His Word, and we can listen to it by simply reading it, being in the Word regularly, etc, etc. Wisely, means, to give attention to, to consider and to ponder. The net result is that we find good in our lives. Or you will find what is pleasant, agreeable, beautiful, and prosperity. Those are all good things by definition.

Secondly, we are told that whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. I'm glad it says "whoever" because that opens the door for me, for you, and in truth for anyone, there is no one who cannot trust in the LORD. Because we all have a measure of faith.

LORD, is Jehovah, which means "the existing one" We can trust Him, we can have confidence in Him, we can hope in Him. And, what happens as a by-product of that trust, is that we find ourselves being happy, or blessed. Interestingly enough the word happy here, comes from a word meaning "to be straight, to be level, right, to go forward, relieve" Again, those all resonate with my soul. I enjoy being happy.

Lord, we thank You for your Word. May we take heed to Your Word, and receive Your instruction into our hearts and lives. And, thank You that we can rely upon You, we don't have to go it alone down here, trusting in ourselves, but we can put our confidence in You. Bring that happiness into our lives today, we enjoy the blessings that You bring.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Blessed is the man.........

Hello, and blessings to you today.

The following verse actually tells us, or describes for us a "Blessed Man"

Blessed means to be happy, and it comes from a word meaning to go straight, to make progress, to advance.

And, it simply means to be happy.

It is clear from reading the Bible that people often pursue being happy, but come up empty. But, on the other hand, many people find themselves happy because they have simply followed the Lord and find that happiness is a by-product of that relationship. It's an actual promise from God that if a man lives a certain way, he will find happiness in his life.

So, here's one of the scriptures that lays it out for us.

Proverbs 9:34

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors"

Three things are said here about this happy man. He listens to God, He Watches, and He Waits.

The happy man Listens. This means to hear and it means to obey. So, hearing the Lord, and obeying Him are part of our being happy.

The happy man also Watches. This means to be alert, to be awake, to keep watch. Jesus often talked about this attitude of mind and heart. So did the apostles.

The happy man Waits. This means to keep, guard, observe, give heed.

So, one of God's simple but effective and true prescriptions for happiness. To Watch, Listen and Wait.

Lord, we desire Your blessings in our lives, they are the best experiences of our lives down here on earth. Would you please fill us with Your wisdom, and help us to Watch, Listen and Wait upon You.

In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier