What comes from above, from Heaven, from God?

James mentions two of them in his brief five chapter letter. And, there actually is mention of a third.

First of all, we are told in James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. The Lord gives from above, His good and perfect gifts. The word good, means that which is of benefit, and or simply good things. So, that's the first thing. Rather then God tempting us to sin ( as some were apparently thinking and saying ......see James 1:13 ) James declares that God gives us good gifts. These gifts come from above.

By the way, the spiritual gifts of God are listed all through the New Testament. You can find a detailed list of them in 1st Cor 12, Eph 4, and 1st Peter 4.

These gifts are given to us to benefit the body of Christ, to build up the body of Christ, and we are to use them to serve the Lord. Incidentally, these gifts are not natural abilities, but rather supernatural abilities given to us by the Holy Spirit. Again, see 1st Cor 12.

Secondly, and seen in James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

God gives wisdom from above. He tells us how to live and, shows us how to approach the practical day to day issues and circumstances and challenges of life. God helps us by giving us His wisdom. The wisdom that is from above is explained to us, and defined in great detail in James 3:13-18.

There are eight specifics given to us about this wisdom.

1. God's wisdom is pure.

2. God's wisdom is peaceable.

3. God's wisdom is gentle.

4. God's wisdom is willing to yield.

5. God's wisdom is full of mercy.

6. God's wisdom is full of good fruits.

7. God's wisdom is without partiality.

8. God's wisdom is without hypocrisy.

Finally, in closing off this section about God's wisdom, James tells us that "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" See James 3:18.

And, that last and third thing that comes down from above.....it is a specific that the Lord gave to Elijah the prophet when he prayed. We are told "the heaven gave rain" , and as a result, the earth produced it's fruit. James 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

But, I think there is a lesson for us here. God is able to give good gifts into your life, good and perfect gifts, and, He is able to give you wisdom. And, when the Lord gives these things into your life, your life produces fruit. Just like the earth produced fruit in Elijah's day.

When we look up so to speak, we are looking through Christ, into the heart and face of God. He has a good intention for you. He gives good things to you. He has good thoughts towards you, not evil thoughts. He has plans for your life that He wants to bring about. He wants you to be fruitful. He will make you that way.

Would you pray with me right now? Father, You are good, and You give good gifts, You give perfect gifts, and You give heavenly, Divine wisdom. Thank You for what You give to us. You want to bring fruit in our lives. Thank You for Your plan for us. May You find us receptive and cooperative with you. We love You, in Jesus name. Amen.....

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. Keep looking to God.

2. He is looking at you.

3. Remember, He loves you.

4. Don't be mistaken, He has a good intention for you.

5. The Bible teaches us all of the above.

6. We have examples of how God works in the Bible.

7. God does not change.

8. God is with you in Christ.

9. May God bless you abundantly.

Are you satisfied, or empty?

Ec 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Some people would answer yes, I'm very satisfied, and some would say, no, I'm very much unsatisfied and feel empty.

The Bible explains here in Ecclesiastes, that for those who love silver, or love money, that they will not be satisfied once they get what they wanted, which is more and more money. It does not satisfy, although so often people think more will make them satisfied.

The word satisfied here, means, fill, full, plenty, enough, satiate, and it was used to speak of having one's fill, or having their desire satisfied.

Ecclesiastes, also tells us that for the person who wants to accumulate more and more material goods, that they also will not find the satisfaction that they hoped would come with more goods.

But, here's what Jesus said about being satisfied.

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,

Joh 4:14 John 4:14 “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

There are several things Jesus said here about satisfaction. Including, the fact that trying to find satisfaction from the things of this world do not bring what one hopes for, it just won't happen.

Jesus also explained that for the person who will drink of the He gives, that they would indeed not be thirsty, ( unsatisfied ) but would actually find that fulfillment they were hoping for.

The Lord's work in a person's life is the most fulfilling, most rewarding, most peace giving, most blessed, most joyful, that one could ever find.

May God fill you today. If you hunger for righteousness, He promises to quench that thirst. In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise.

1. Life without God is empty.

2. Life with God is not.

3. Life with God is possible.

4. Life from God is His gift to you.

5. Life can be your's by faith.

6. Life is a blessing in Christ.

7. Life's thirst can be quenched.

8. Life comes from Jesus the thirst quencher.

Satisfied or Empty?

Pastor Bob Grenier explains from Scripture how God will satisfy an empty soul.

Does faith save you, or is it works?

Pastor Bob Grenier explains the truth about what saves a person. It's not dead faith, and it's not demon faith.

Does the Bible say works are important

Yes, it certainly does. But, perhaps not in the way that many people think. Many people think that they are saved by what they do. The Bible is very clear that salvation is not by our works, but rather by and through God's grace, and our faith in Jesus Christ.

But, what part, and what place do works have in our life, and in connection to our faith?

James chapter 2:14-26 really digs into this deeply, and clearly, and explains what God says about works, and their importance.

For example......James asks, "what does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? That's the question. What does that that profit the person saying that they have faith, but they have no works. And, then, James asks, can "faith save him?" Meaning, will a person who says they have faith, but they have no works, are they saved?

So, one thing we know for sure, that a profession of faith without any works attached to that profession, is not profitable. That's the point that James makes as he goes on in chapter 2.

Another way of saying it, or understanding the place of works according to the Bibles's teaching, is that saving faith is a working faith. Or to put it another way, "the faith that saves a man, is not alone. It has works with it".

It might sound like it's all semantic's, but it's not. For James says that even the demons believe, and they tremble. We know that they remain demons, that they are not saved as it were. So, there is a faith, as James is describing that is not going to be of any profit to a person.

And, there is a faith which of course does profit. And, that is the faith that is demonstrated by works.

To sum it all up. Many people falsely believe that their works can save them. And, people can also falsely believe that they can say they are saved, but have no works, but are not profited by that workless profession.

The true understanding, the true balance, the real salvation is one that's faith is shown by it's works.

Lord, You are the greatest worker for our salvation. You actually have worked to save us by sending Jesus. He said, "it is finished" He completed the work of dying on the cross for our sins. Thank You for the faith You have given to us. We love You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises.

1. God gives every man a measure a faith.

2. He has given you a measure of faith.

3. God is so generous.

4. Faith can be seen in action.

5. Profession without works is dead.

6. Faith with works, now that is saving faith.

7. Not works saving us, but faith shown by it's works.

8. It may sound like a trick, but it's not.

9. Abraham and Rahab are examples of faith shown by works.

The Mercy of God

A little more about mercy, and judgement:

James 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

These verses have to do with both mercy, and with judgement. We are encouraged to so do and speak as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

What does this mean? Well, it's clear that overall it means, that while we are here on the earth, that both our actions and words will one day be judged by what is called the law of liberty.

James is saying that one day, we will be judged for the things we have said, and the things we have done. So, we ought to live with that judgement in mind. Or to be personally accountable with regards to our words and actions.

Jesus spoke about this accountability also. Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

The other very interesting thing that is said here, is that we don't have to live in fear of the judgment to come if we are living now in a merciful way towards others. On the other hand, there is a warning. That, the person who lives now without mercy towards others, will not be shown any mercy in the future judgment.

But, a person can smile in the face of judgment to come, if now they are living in, and walking in, and showing mercy towards others. It's very interesting, that we never ask God to give us justice for ourselves, but we ask for mercy. But, we may think He should give others justice. Interesting.

At any rate, God is so merciful. He has new mercies every morning. His mercies are eternal. He bestows His mercies on us. Mercy is something we can pray for daily. It's something we need daily.

Oh Merciful God. Have mercy upon us now, and may we walk in mercy now towards people we know, and come in contact with day by day. You have shown us mercy, You have not given us justice, You gave that to Your Son, but to us You have been merciful. Thank You Father.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

Application/Promises

1. It's by His mercies we are saved.

2. God's appeal to us now, is based on His mercies ( Rom 12: 1 )

3. Why not be merciful towards others?

4. Does God ever run out of mercy?

5. Would He give You mercy today?

6. Shall we not rather be merciful now?

7. I want mercy later from God also.

8. Blessed be the Lord of mercy.