What comes down from the Father?

James explains that God is the giver of good gifts. And, that He does not change.

What comes down from the Father?

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.

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

What comes down from the Father? Every good and perfect gift. Just the verse before, James had warned not to be deceived about God, ( God does not tempt anyone to evil. ) Rather, He gives good gifts

Several truths about God are stated, as to who He is, and what He has done for us.

1. He is the Father of lights ( meaning He is pure in every way )

2. He does not change.

3. He brought us forth into salvation.

4. He did this through His Word, ( The Lord Jesus Christ )

5. The first converts were an example of more to come.

6. We are considered to be His creatures, ( His possession )

Earlier we were told that God gives wisdom to those who ask for it, then, blessing to those who endure trials and tribulations. And, here we are told that He gives good gifts, ( eternal life being the best of them all )

So, as we look up as it were today, we can know that our Father, ( He is that personally to us in Christ, He is OUR Father ) we can both thank Him for what He has already done for us, and we can ask for, and expect Him to continue to give us good gifts, because as mentioned He does not change.

Our Father, we thank You for giving us the gift of life. Thank You for making us to belong to You, not just now, but for all eternity, forever, and forever, and forever. Help us to solidify in our minds and hearts the truth about who You are, and what You have done, and what You will do. We look up to You today, and ask that You might shower us with good gifts, the ones Lord that would bring blessing to You and to others in our family's, and in our churches, where we work and so on. In Jesus name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. Make no mistake about it God is good, He does not tempt us.

2. He is a good giver, He gives us gifts.

3. He has already done the greatest if you will.

4. How valuable is the gift of eternal life with God?

5. What gifts and grace do you need today?

6. Would you ask Him, He is the giver of gifts and grace.

7. Like the rain that comes down, shower us Lord we pray.

Temptation, it's source and remedy

This video helps explain where temptation does not come from and where it does come from. It also deals briefly with how find help in temptation.

Who is tempting me?

James 1:13 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.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

These verses explain who is not tempting you, ( soliciting, and enticing you to sin ) and where temptation does come from. And, it explains the process of temptation, leading to it's ultimate end, and concludes with a warning not to be deceived about this important issue.

We ought not never to blame God when we are being tempted to sin. Why? Because He cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone to sin. The temptation to sin, comes from within ourselves, when we are drawn away by our own desires or lusts. And, when we give into those lusts, or desires, that's when sin takes place, and sin when it is fully grown brings death.

So, that's where temptation comes from. Not from God, but from within ourselves.

Apparently, some of James's readers were confused about who was tempting them. These verses clear it up very well, and very simply.

Even though we are saved, we will be tempted to sin. Temptation by the way is not sin, it's merely the first step toward sin. It's temptation. The actual sin takes place when we say yes to temptation.

Question. How do we combat temptation? One major way would be Prayer. Jesus instructed us to pray, "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" Also, "building ourselves up on our most holy faith" Jude. That would be by being in the Word. And, then "fellowship with one another" Acts 2:42 We find real encouragement as we share our lives with other believers.

These three things, prayer, talking to God, the Word, being in it, and fellowshipping with other christians, will help us combat temptation.

So, may You be blessed today, may God make you strong by His power and grace, to resist temptation, to turn away from it, to seek His help through prayer and by being made strong in the Word of God. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise.

1. God never allows us to be tempted more then we are able to bear.

2. He will always make a way of escape for us.

3. Remember, to be tempted is not to sin,

4. Don't be condemned because you are being tempted.

5. You may need to take practical steps to avoid temptation.

6. Look away from temptation to God.

A promise to those who endure trials...

There is a promise from God to those who endure trials. Hang in there, that blessing is coming.

God's promise to you.......

Jas 1:12* 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.

James calls it "Blessed", but it means, happy, and fortunate. There are a number of things told us here about the blessings that come after you get through a trial. The Word temptation here, is better rendered "Trial or testing"

One, Blessing is associated with enduring the trial.

Two, Blessings will be received by the tested person.

Three, The blessing is the "Crown of life"

Four, This blessing is promised by the Lord Himself.

Five, Notice the words, "to those who love Him"

Earlier in this chapter, James had talked about how to understand a trial, and what the Lord does in our lives through a trial. Here, he is speaking about the person who has endured, or gone through the trial, and a promise from God about that person receiving the crown of life. The blessing is the crown of life.

When a christian goes through the trial, not only do they come out the other side a more patient and enduring person, but they are happy, and they receive this crown of life from the Lord.

What is the crown of life? I believe Hebrews speaks about it.

Heb 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

After the process of testing, training, chastening, this peaceable fruit of righteousness is yielded into our lives. From pressure and difficulty, to peace, and the fruit of righteousness. These are indeed blessings.

Simply put, when we go through the trial, and endure it, at the end, we are changed people, we are more patient, we are more able to endure, we have become more mature, and we enjoy a peacefulness from the Lord, and righteousness from the Lord. ( living the right way, understanding the right way, being able to encourage others in the right way )

So, God has a promise for you. Hang in there, don't grow weary, be patient, the Lord is going to get you through the trial, and He will bless you in the trial, and make you a better person for it, once you are through the trial itself.

My prayer today is for you if you are going through a time of trial, or you have just come through a trial. Lord, make Your promise real and tangible today to my brothers and sisters reading this who are in the midst of a trial. If they have just come through a trial, then together, we thank You for being faithful. Please allow us to be used by You to be a genuine source of encouragement to anyone in a trial at this time. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. He is going to get you through.

2. You cannot do it alone, He will help you.

3. He not only helps, but then blesses as well.

4. Trials change us for the better.

5. You will be more patient and peaceful.

6. God will use your experience to help others.

7. Give thanks to God, He is faithful and true.

Are you exalted or humbled? We can rejoice either way.

This video helps us understand how we can rejoice regardless of our postion