ORIGINS OF CONFLICT  What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? —James 4:1             What is going on inside you today?  Are you passionate/desirous about the right things or wrong things?  Is there a war going on inside you because of your passions/desires?  Would these passions/desires that are warring inside you cause quarrels and fights with others?  Maybe you should stop right now, pray and see what God has to say about this— “You do not have because you do not ask God” (1:2).  When we do seek God are we seeking with right motives?  Or is…

THE EAR, EYE TONGUE’S INTENTIONS AND DESIRES OF THE HEART  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. —James 1:22-25  Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive…

FAITH… YOU HAVE IT OR YOU DON’T Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. …  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. —Hebrews 11:1, 6             Faith is not blind because we are confident in Him who created all things and there is evidence for our Creator all around us— “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are…

FICKLE FEELINGS FADE FOR THE FAITHFUL  But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come…

GOD’S ETERNAL GIFT TO US— HIS SON JESUS!  This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for…

THE ONLY SOURCE OF SALVATION!  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. —Hebrews 5:8-10   The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? —Psalm 27:1              Jesus is the source of my salvation.  It is not good works that saves me or anyone (Ephesians 2:8-10).  Doing good works does not save anyone, but doing good works according to God’s perspective is the result…

WE NEED OTHERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST!  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. —Hebrews 3:13  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. —Ecclesiastes…

OUR GLORIOUS SAVIOR AND LORD GOD ALMIGHTY  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn…

ONCE SLAVES, NOW PART OF GOD’S FAMILY!  I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. —Philemon 1:12  If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. —Philemon 1:18              These are amazing statements made by Paul about Onesimus to Philemon.  Paul is sending this redeemed slave back to his owner that they can be reconciled.  It is an astounding statement that Paul says of Onesimus— I am sending you… “my very heart.”  Wow!  Now just imagine a literal statement from our perspective today.  Instead of sending Onesimus think of Paul’s heart being sent— that would be Paul’s emotions and desires,…

TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION WITH THOSE WHO DIVIDE  As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. —Titus 3:10-11              We are in a battle, a spiritual fight and we have to be wise and obedient to our Lord and His directives.  Sometimes these directives are uncomfortable for us to carry out.  We do not like conflict nor want conflict.  But we must remember that we are in conflict, have been since sin entered through Adam and will be until Jesus comes back to set all…