James 3:2-8 - Geneva Bible

2 For in many things we sin all. If any man sin not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.

3 Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths, that they should obey us, and we turn about all their body.

4 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 rudder, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth of great things: behold, how great a thing a little fire kindleth.

6 And the tongue is fire, yea, a world of wickedness: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed, and hath been tamed of the nature of man.

8 But the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 Lord, help me to learn Your word, and keep it in my heart, amen

Brethren:

The Apostle James herein doth sayest, and it is true, that when men speak they open all divers ill and bad traits. Many boast of their achievements, others speak all sorts of ills upon those they profess to be friends with, and still others openly curse others and God. All of this is most unpleasing to God and reflects badly on the speaker. RP. Woitowitz Sr.

“A little world of evil in itself. This is a very expressive phrase, and is similar to one which we often employ, as when we speak of a town as being a world in miniature. We mean by it that it is an epitome of the world; that all that there is in the world is represented there on a small scale. So when the tongue is spoken of as being “a world of iniquity,” it is meant that all kinds of evil that are in the world are exhibited there in miniature; it seems to concentrate all sorts of iniquity that exist on the earth. And what evil is there which may not be originated or fomented by the tongue? What else is there that might, with so much propriety, be represented as a little world of iniquity? With all the good which it does, who can estimate the amount of evil which it causes? Who can measure the evils which arise from scandal, and slander, and profaneness, and perjury, and falsehood, and blasphemy, and obscenity, and the inculcation of error, by the tongue? Who can gauge the amount of broils, and contentions, and strifes, and wars, and suspicions, and enmities, and alienations among friends and neighbors, which it produces? Who can number the evils produced by the “honeyed” words of the seducer; or by the tongue of the eloquent in the maintenance of error, and the defense of wrong? If all men were dumb, what a portion of the crimes of the world would soon cease! If all men would speak only that which ought to be spoken, what a change would come over the face of human affairs! It stains or pollutes the whole body. It occupies a position and relation so important in respect to every part of our moral frame, that there is no portion which is not affected by it. Of the truth of this, no one can have any doubt. There is nothing else pertaining to us as moral and intellectual beings, which exerts such an influence over ourselves as the tongue. A man of pure conversation is understood and felt to be pure in every respect; but who has any confidence in the virtue of the blasphemer, or the man of obscene lips, or the calumniator and slanderer? We always regard such a man as corrupt to the core. Albert Barnes

 

James 3:1 - Geneva Bible

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Father, forgive me for my sins, keep me on the right path, for I struggle at times and fall down many others. Help me to understand Your word this morning, amen.

It is rather difficult to write about this passage, but herein, the Apostle James is sayest that it is reserved unto to God Himself to judge, for if we judge we are likewise guilty of the same sins. Remember that all fall short of the glory that is God, therefore, no matter how godly a people we might be, we're still sinners, saved by grace and mercy. Now, that said, we can and should discern evil from good. We should abhor sin as best we can. “Judge not, less you be judged” RP. Woitowitz Sr.

“This exhortation may have respect to censorious persons, rigid and severe reprovers of others, who take upon them, in a haughty manner, to charge and rebuke others for their faults; reproof for sin ought to be given; sin should not be suffered upon the brethren; to reprove is not blameworthy, but commendable, when it is done in a right manner, with a good spirit, and to a good end: in case of private offences, it should be privately given, and for public ones, men should be rebuked before all; but then this ought to be done in a gentle manner, and in a spirit of meekness; and when it is a clear case, and plain matter of fact, and which ought not to be exaggerated and aggravated; mole hills are not to be made mountains of, or a man be made an offender for a word, or a matter of human frailty; and reproof should be given by persons not guilty of the same, or worse crimes, themselves, and always with a good end; not to screen and cover their own vices, or to be thought more holy and religious than others, or to satisfy a revengeful spirit, but for the glory of God, and the restoring of the person that has sinned.” John Gill

 

James 2:26 - Geneva Bible

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, even so the faith without works is dead.

Father, forgive my sins, and help me to understand Your word, amen

Brethren:

A summation; A person can be good in works, but without faith it is dead in sin. A person can be rich in faith, but without works, is likewise dead in sin. A person that has faith, and has the fruits of that faith, works, is pleasing to our Creator. RP. Woitowitz

 James 2:18-20 - Geneva Bible

18 But some man might say, Thou hast the faith, and I have works: show me thy faith out of thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe it, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou understand, O thou vain man, that the faith which is without works, is dead?

Father thank You for a good day yesterday. Help me now to understand Your word.

Brethren:

Do not neglect our duties as Christians. We cannot be pleasing to God in our everyday lives if we bring the Gospel, but neglect the needs of those whose lives are in poverty. Be charitable at all times. What does it profit us to say, “go and spread the gospel” but leave without full bellies. RP. Woitowitz

“Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from this saving faith. A bare profession may gain the good opinion of pious people; and it may procure, in some cases, worldly good things; but what profit will it be, for any to gain the whole world, and to lose their souls? Can this faith save him? All things should be accounted profitable or unprofitable to us, as they tend to forward or hinder the salvation of our souls. This place of Scripture plainly shows that an opinion, or assent to the gospel, without works, is not faith. There is no way to show we really believe in Christ, but by being diligent in good works, from gospel motives, and for gospel purposes. Men may boast to others, and be conceited of that which they really have not. There is not only to be assent in faith, but consent; not only an assent to the truth of the word, but a consent to take Christ. True believing is not an act of the understanding only, but a work of the whole heart.”

Matthew Henry

James 2:14, 17 – Geneva Bible

14 What availeth it my brethren, though a man saith, he hath faith, when he hath no works? can that faith save him?

17 Even so the faith, if it have no works, is dead in itself.

 

Lord, help me to understand Your words this morning, amen

 

Brethren:

 

Faith without works is a dead faith. How can one say that they much faith if they don do the works of charity that accompany faith? To walk the walk one must do the works as given unto us by God, to wit; walk justly, show kindness and walk humbly with our Creator. - RP Woitowitz

“It is not though he have faith, but though he say, I have faith. Here therefore true living faith is meant. But in other parts of the argument the apostle speaks of a dead imaginary faith. He does not therefore teach that true faith can, but that it cannot, subsist without works. Nor does he oppose faith to works, but that empty name of faith to real faith working by love. Can that faith which is without works save him? No more than it can profit his neighbor. The faith that does not produce works of charity and mercy is without the living principle which animates all true faith, that is, love to God and love to man. They had faith, such as a man has who credits a well-circumstanced relation because it has all the appearance of truth; but they had nothing of that faith that a sinner, convinced of his sinfulness, God's purity, and the strictness of the Divine laws, is obliged to exert in the Lord Jesus, in order to be saved from his sins.” - Adam Clark

James 2:8 - Geneva Bible

8 But if ye fulfill the royal Law according to the Scripture, which saith, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.

Lord go before me today and conquer all that stand in my way that I might understand Your word.

Brethren:

The Apostle James herein doth sayest, that to neglect one point of the law is to be guilty of all the law. However, if we love our neighbors, despite rank or stature, we do well and please God. Therefore it is our duty to help ALL peoples are in need. RP. Woitowitz

“Which is the law of love to men, without distinction of rich and poor, high and low, bond and free; and is so called, because it is the law of the King of kings; hence the Syriac version renders it, "the law of God", it is the law of Christ, who is King of saints; and because it is a principal law, the chief of laws; as love to God is the sum of the first and great commandment in the law, and may be called the king of laws; so love to the neighbor is the second and next unto it, and may very well bear the name of the queen of laws, and so has royalty in it; and indeed this last is said to be the fulfilling of the law, ( Romans 13:8-10 ) ( Galatians 5:14 ) and it is also submitted to, and obeyed by such who are made kings and priests to God; and that in a royal manner, with a princely spirit, willingly, and with all readiness. Which is to be understood of every nation, without distinction of Jews and Gentiles, and of persons of every state and condition, rich and poor, without any difference: and when this law is so observed, it is commendable; that which is right, and which is a man's duty to do; this, when done from right principles, and to a right end, is a good work, and is doing a good work well.” John Gill

 James 2:1,5 - Geneva Bible

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons.

5 Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, that they should be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

Father, help me this day to understand Your words – amen

Brethren:

The Creator is not a respecter of persons as far as the wealthy are concerned. Herein James sayest that men will reveal the evilness in their hearts by preferring the wealthy over the poor. This is not in line with what Christ hath said. God by contrast will take the opposite view that it is the poor and neglected of this world that will be heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. This is not to say that the wealthy and those of their kind cannot come to Christ, for all that give themselves over to Him will be saved. What is being said is that ALL men, no matter rank or degree should be honored.  RP Woitowitz

“The apostle proceeds to show that the rich, as such, had no special claim on their favor, and that the poor in fact might be made more entitled to esteem than they were. This is the first argument which the apostle suggests why the poor should not be treated with neglect. It is, that God has had special reference to them in choosing those who should be his children. The meaning is not that he is not as willing to save the rich as the poor, for he has no partiality; but that there are circumstances in the condition of the poor which make it more likely that they will embrace the offers of the gospel than the rich; and that in fact the great mass of believers is taken from those who are in comparatively humble life. Though poor in this world‘s goods, they are rich in a higher and more important sense. They have faith in God their Savior; and in this world of trial and of sin, that is a more valuable possession than piles of hoarded silver or gold. A man who has that is sure that he will have all that is truly needful for him in this world and the next; a man who has it not, though he may have the wealth of Croesus, will be utterly without resources in respect to the great wants of his existence. Faith in God the Saviour will answer more purposes, and accomplish more valuable ends for man, than the wealth of the Indies could: and this the poor may have as well as the rich.” - Albert Barnes

 James 1:26-27 - Geneva Bible

26 If any man among you seem religious, and refraineth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God, even the Father, is this, to visit the fatherless, and widows in their adversity, and to keep himself unspotted of the world.

Lord, my Lord, forgive me for not reading Your word over the past few days. I have no excuse, none that would warrant Your forgiveness, yet I believe in You, and trust Your ways. Help me to make Your ways, my ways, amen

Brethren:

A third and fourth admonition. The former speaks upon being able to bridle our tongues. When we speak ill of someone or gossip or use our mouths for anything other than blessings, (or corrections), then we sin, and our religion, our beliefs are naught more that vanity. This is not pleasing to our Creator. The corrections must of course be done in love, with patience and understanding, for we are mere flesh and blood. The latter admonition says to love one another, to do all things in love and if we were in the very presence of God Himself. In particular those that are truly in need, and have wants that needs be filled. This is true faith, and religion and is most pleasing to God. RP. Woitowitz

“When men take more pains to seem religious than really to be so, it is a sign their religion is in vain. The not bridling the tongue, readiness to speak of the faults of others, or to lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain religion. The man who has a slandering tongue, cannot have a truly humble, gracious heart. False religious may be known by their impurity and uncharitableness. True religion teaches us to do every thing as in the presence of God. An unspotted life must go with unfeigned love and charity. Our true religion is equal to the measure in which these things have place in our hearts and conduct. And let us remember, that nothing avails in Christ Jesus, but faith that worketh by love, purifies the heart, subdues carnal lusts, and obeys God's commands.” Matthew Henry

 

James 1:22-25 - Geneva Bible

22 And be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any hear the word, and do it not, he is like unto a man, that beholdeth his natural face in a glass.

24 For when he hath considered himself, he goeth his way, and forgetteth immediately what manner of one he was.

25 But who so looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, shall be blessed in his deed.

Thank you Lord for keeping me safe and giving me another day. I ask only that You go before me and protect me from the arrows of Satan, and to open my heart and mind to Your word, amen

Brethren:

So often we hear of people talking the walk, but instead we should be walking the walk. Be doers of God's word – Love Him, love others. Frame all of your actions, deeds and words within His words and righteousness. For then you will truly become the children of God. RP. Woitowitz Sr.

“The doer is he who from the heart embraces God’s word and testifies by his life that he really believes, according to the saying of Christ, for he shews by the fruits what that implanting is, before mentioned. We must further observe, that faith with all its works is included by James, yea, faith especially, as it is the chief work which God requires from us. The import of the whole is, that we ought to labor that the word of the Lord should strike root in us, so that it may afterwards fructify.

Heavenly doctrine is indeed a mirror in which God presents himself to our view; but so that we may be transformed unto his image, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18. But here he speaks of the external glance of the eye, not of the vivid and efficacious meditation which penetrates into the heart. It is a striking comparison, by which he briefly intimates, that a doctrine merely heard and not received inwardly into the heart avails nothing, because it soon vanishes away.” - John Calvin

James 1:19-21 - Geneva Bible

19 Wherefore my dear brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

20 For the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of maliciousness, and receive with meekness the word that is grafted in you, which is able to save your souls.

Father, thank you for giving me another day and for keeping me from the fowler's snare. Help me this day, and every day to understand Your word, amen

Brethren:

Good advice for all people. That is to say; listen first and then speak. Let anger take no place in your speech. However IF offense is given, let your anger be of righteousness, for it is written that God will be your avenger. - RP Woitowitz Sr.

“Let every man be swift to hear; not anything; not idle and unprofitable talk, or filthy and corrupt communication; but wholesome advice, good instructions, and the gracious experiences of the saints, and, above all, the word of God; to the hearing of which men should fly, as doves to their windows; should make haste, and be early in their attendance on it, as well, as constant; and receive it with all readiness, and with a sort of greediness of mind, that their souls may be profited, and God may be glorified. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. This is so far from engaging persons to do that which is right and acceptable in the sight of God, that it puts them upon doing that which is evil. The Alexandrian copy reads, 'with the wrath of men do not work the righteousness of God'; do not attend upon the word and ordinances of God with a wrathful spirit.

All manner of filthiness, both of flesh and spirit; all pride, vanity, wrath, malice, and evil speaking, under hearing the word: the allusion seems to be to a boiling pot, which casts up scum and filth, which must be taken off: and such is the spirit of wrathful men; it throws up the filth of haughtiness and pride, of anger, wrath, and wickedness, which must be taken off, and laid aside; or the word will not be heard to any profit, or advantage; receive with meekness the ingrafted word; which becomes so when it is received; when it is put into the heart by the Spirit of God, and is mixed with faith by them that hear it; so that it is, as it were, incorporated into them, and becomes natural to them, which before was not; and taking deep root in them, brings forth much fruit: and where it comes with power, it reduces every high thought into the obedience of Christ, and makes men meek and humble; and only such receive the truth in the love of it; and to such is the Gospel preached.” John Gill

 

James 1:17 - Geneva Bible

17 Every good giving and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Lord, my God, help me to understand Your word this morning, forgive and keep me from sinning, amen

Brethren:

God, does not change, He cannot change, nor will He change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is righteousness personified, in the flesh, through Christ, and in Heaven as Himself. There is no sin in Him, nor can He sin. Likewise he leadeth us not unto diver temptations. Temptations are from the evil hearts of men, that know no better other than to commit acts of unrighteous behaviors without a second thought for they love the carnality of this world, and look not towards the world to come. All, good things rain down upon us when He opens the windows of His great providence. Both the believer and the non-believer benefit from this act of His grace and mercy. The former gives thanks and glory to God, and the latter gives nothing back at all, for his life is of this life.  RP. Woitowitz Sr.

“The divine benignity is not subject to any such variations; it is always equally near, and equally communicative of its influences to proper objects; nor can any thing interpose between it and them: it is not the flush of good humour, which may be spent: it is not a great but limited treasury, which may be exhausted bylarge and continued communications. As God is ever unerringly wise, and unchangeably happy; as his power is infinite, and he is raised above the possibility of want or suffering; he will certainly always choose to do, what his wisdom determines best to be done; and as he ever deems the happiness of his creatures, who will accept of his mercy, to be the worthiest end, he will certainly be always disposed and delighted to promote that best end. The infinite communications of good, which he hath made already, instead of causing us to fear that his goodness may be exhausted, serve to prove it infinite, and therefore inexhaustible: they give, and they will give his faithful saints, to eternity, the most substantial reasons to expect from their Creator and Redeemer, all that can be expected from a Being infinitely wise, powerful, and benevolent.” Thomas Coke

James 1:13 - Geneva Bible

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.

 Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, help us this morning to understand Your Word. For Your word is precious to us, amen

Brethren:

God cannot temp man for temptations are filled with sins and as such God does not sin, nor can He look upon it. He is righteousness at all times. He does allow sin to enter into the hearts of men, and to be temped by those sins. He likewise uses them to draw out the best in us by seeing us through all of them and walking with us. If we place our trust in Him, He will NEVER fail us. RP Woitowitz Sr.

“Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect. The commands of God, and the dealings of his providence, try men's hearts, and show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing to themselves.” - Matthew Henry

 James 1:12 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

12 Blessed is the man, that endureth tentation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Father, help us all to understand Your word, amen

Brethren:

Once again we read that God blesses those that endure to the end the diver temptations that he allows to come upon us. All are designed to refine us along the way and to make us closer to His image until such time as it is completed and we receive the crown of glory upon our arrival in Heaven. (Read also Job 5:17) - RP. Woitowitz Sr.

“UNDER the afflictions with which we are visited in this vale of tears, philosophy has suggested many grounds for resignation and submission: but to find in them matter for self-congratulation and joy, was beyond the reach of unassisted reason. To that however are we led by the voice of revelation, which teaches us to look with confidence to a future state, wherein all that we endure for God, and in meek submission to his will, shall be compensated with a weight of glory, proportioned to the trials we have here sustained for his sake, and the spiritual improvement which we have derived from them. St. James, who wrote to his Jewish brethren who were scattered abroad through the violence of persecution, frequently repeats this consolatory idea. He begins with bidding them to “count it all joy when they fall into divers temptations. Towards the close of his epistle he declares this to be at least the persuasion of his own mind. Behold, we count them happy that endure But in the text he does not hesitate to affirm it as an unquestionable truth, that such persons are truly blessed: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Now as he spake this by inspiration from God, I shall consider it as a declaration from God himself; and shall unfold to you.” Charles Simeon

James 1:5-8 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, which giveth to all men liberally, and reproacheth no man, and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, and waver not: for he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea, tossed of the wind, and carried away.
7 Neither let that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Father, forgive any sins that I have committed whether known, or unknown, amen

Brethren:

God's wisdom of His ways are liberally given unto us if we ask aright. Asking in faith is the key and wavering not one bit, to obtain the wisdom that God grants each of us. RP. Woitowitz Sr.

“This shows that the perfection before spoken of is not to be understood as in this life, since the apostle immediately supposes lack of wisdom in them; for this is not said in a form of doubting, whether they wanted it or not, but rather as supposing, and taking it for granted that they did; and in the first, and primary sense of the words, it intends wisdom to behave aright under temptations or afflictions. Saints often want wisdom to consider God as the author of them, and not look upon them as matters of chance, or impute them merely to second causes; but to regard them as coming from the hand of God, and as his hand upon them, as Job did; who does not ascribe his calamities to the thieving Chaldeans and Sabeans, to the boisterous wind, and to the malice of Satan, but to God: they want wisdom to observe the sovereignty of God in them, and bow unto it, and be still, and know that he is God, who does all things well and wisely; and likewise to see and know that all are in love, and in very faithfulness, and for good; as well as to see his name, to hear his rod, and him that has appointed it, his voice in it, his mind and meaning, and what he designs by it; as likewise to learn the useful lessons under it, and particularly to take the cross well, to bear it patiently, and even to count it all joy, and reckon it to be right, necessary, and useful: it requires much wisdom to learn all this, and act up to it. Moreover, this may be applied to all other cases, in which wisdom is wanted; men want wisdom to conduct them in the common affairs of life, and especially the people of God; for the children of the world are wiser in their generation, for themselves and posterity, and in the management of worldly affairs, than the children of light; and also to observe the providences of God, and the footsteps of Providence, and to follow them; and likewise to make a right use of providences, and behave suitably under them, and not be lifted up too much in prosperity, nor be cast down, and too much distressed in adversity; but to consider, that the one is set against the other, and both work together for good. Saints have need of wisdom in things spiritual; they want more grace, which is the truest wisdom, and a larger knowledge of the Gospel, which is the wisdom of God, the hidden wisdom of God; and they lack wisdom to know how to walk towards them that are without, and towards them that are within, so as becomes the Gospel of Christ: and as this is more or less the case of everyone wisdom; of God the Father, who is the only wise God, who has abounded in creation, in providence, and, above all, in redemption and grace, in all wisdom and prudence; and of his Son Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God, and has all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in him; and of the Spirit of God, who is a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and all divine things: God is the giver of all good things, in nature, providence, and grace; every good and perfect gift comes from him, and therefore he, and he only, should be applied unto: and he gives to "all men" the bounties of his providence; and to all that ask, and call upon him in sincerity, the riches of his grace; even to Jews and Gentiles, high and low, rich and poor, greater or lesser sinners; all which he gives "liberally", readily, and at once, freely and cheerfully, and largely and abundantly; not grudgingly, sparingly, and with a strait hand, but with an open one, and in a very extensive manner. with former sins and transgressions, with former miscarriages and misconduct; or with former kindnesses, suggesting that he had given largely already, and his favours had been despised or abused; or he had been treated with ingratitude and neglect; in which manner sometimes men put off those that apply unto them, but so does not God; wherefore every word here used is encouraging to go to God for wisdom: yea, it follows, God has said it, Christ has promised it, and the apostle might, with certainty, say it after them, and all experience confirms the truths of it; See ( Matthew 7:7 Matthew 7:8 ) ( John 14:13 John 14:14 John 14:16 John 14:23 ).” John Gill

James 1:2-4 - Geneva Bible

2 My brethren, count it exceeding joy, when ye fall into divers tentations,
3 Knowing that the trying of your faith bringeth forth patience,
4 And let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

Father, today is a day that You have made for us all. Help us to understand Your word, amen


Brethren:

Let us learn to be joyful and glad at all times, but in particular during trials and temptations. This is what brings out and refines the triumphant new man that God has created in us when we accepted Christ as Savior. Now let me be clear, it is not God that brings forth these diver trials, but allows them to work as agents that perfect us. Remember always that our trust is placed in Him to deliver us out of each of them. RP Woitowitz Sr.


“As a rule, the time required for the production of an effect measures the value of that effect. The things that can be developed quickly are of less value than those which require longer time. You can weed a garden or build a house in a much shorter time than you can educate a mind or build up a soul. The training of our reasoning faculties requires a much longer time than the training of our hands. And moral qualities, being higher than intellectual, make an even greater demand upon the patience of their cultivator. Let us remember where it is that we are to get patience in the presence of temptations and sorrows. We must go in prayer, as our Master did in the garden of Gethsemane, to the source of all strength. If He would not go to His trial unprepared, it certainly is not safe for us to do so. By a stroke from the sword the warrior was knighted, small matter if the monarch's hand was heavy. Even so God gives His servants blows of trial when He desires to advance them to a higher stage of spiritual life. Jacobs become prevailing princes, but not until they have wrestled with temptations and prevailed.”
EJ Hardy

Titus 3:8-11 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

8 This is a true saying, and these things I will thou shouldest affirm, that they which have believed God, might be careful to show forth good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 But stay foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and brawlings about the Law: for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 Reject him that is an heretic, after once or twice admonition,
11 Knowing that he that is such, is perverted, and sinneth, being damned of his own self.

Father, forgive me of my sins, help me to understand Your word better and to live by them as best I can during my temporal visit here on earth – amen


Brethren:

Continuing yesterday's study, to wit; We are to do good work, for that is God's will and command. But do so in the belief of Christ. To also refuse to get involved with those that promote unprofitable babblings and words. Admonish those that do and if the refuse the reproof avoid them and label them as heretics. - RP. Woitowitz Sr.

“When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls. Christianity is not a fruitless profession; and its professors must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They must be doing good, as well as keeping away from evil. Let “ours” follow some honest labour and employment, to provide for themselves and their families. Christianity obliges all to seek some honest work and calling, and therein to abide with God. The apostle concludes with expressions of kind regard and fervent prayer. Grace be with you all; the love and favour of God, with the fruits and effects thereof, according to need; and the increase and feeling of them more and more in your souls. This is the apostle's wish and prayer, showing his affection to them, and desire for their good, and would be a means of obtaining for them, and bringing down on them, the thing requested. Grace is the chief thing to be wished and prayed for, with respect to ourselves or others; it is 'all good.'” Matthew Henry

Titus 3:5-7 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

5 Not by the works of righteousness, which we had done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of the new birth, and the renewing of the holy Ghost,
6 Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 That we, being justified by his grace, should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


Father help me to read Your word this morning – amen


Brethren:

It is not works that grant us mercy or admittance to heaven. Although doing works are important. It is the belief in the sacrifice of Christ that brings and redeems us to the Father. Without that belief we are naught more than filthy garments. - RP. Woitowitz Sr.


“For our own salvation was not by works of righteousness, but by God's mercy, His meeting us in our circumstances of sin and shame, and having compassion. The washing of regeneration implies the communication of new life, but emphasizes the moral change that new life brings with it, for it is a cleansing process. And the Holy Spirit has renewed once and for all every soul who has received this mercy. The 'old man has been forever put off, and the new man put on.'

We have seen that the 'renewing of the Holy Ghost' is not a thing to be repeated, but has been done once as to every believer: this has renewed the believer in the spirit of his mind; for the Spirit has been poured on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. God does not give the Spirit by measure, for the Spirit is a living Person, and not limited by human limitations. And this blessing has come through Jesus Christ our Savior, He to whom all the riches of God have been given, and who delights to share unstintingly with His saints.” - LM Grant

Titus 3:1-3 - (GNVT)

1 Put them in remembrance that they be subject to the principalities and powers, and that they be obedient, and ready to every good work. 2 That they speak evil of no man, that they be no fighters, but soft, showing all meekness unto all men.
3  For we ourselves also were in times past unwise, disobedient, deceived, serving the lusts and divers pleasures, living in maliciousness and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Lord God have mercy upon me this day, and open my heart and mind to Your word - amen

Brethren:

Remember always that we were once chained and bound by sin. We spoke evil of all men, followed laws that we wished and disregarded or neglected others. We were fallen creations of which Christ Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice so that we might be redeemed unto the Father. - R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

“We cannot sufficiently admire, the very happy method the Apostle adopted, to conciliate the minds of the people to the observance of those civil obligations he here recommended, in showing, in his own instance, as well as in all others, how unavoidably disposed a state of unrenewed nature is, to everything that is evil. What an humble representation Paul hath here made of himself, and all mankind, considered only in the state of original corruption. Reader, it is always blessed, to have it in remembrance. Nothing, under the teachings of God the Spirit, can be more profitable. It tends to lower all Pharisaical pride, which might creep into the heart. It tends, through grace, to keep the soul humble in the dust before God. It keeps open a stream of true godly sorrow, in the consciousness of our first nothingness, and continued undeservings. And, what is preferable to all, it doth endear the Person, and work, and relations, and offices of Christ, to the soul; and thereby sweetly enforceth our need of Jesus, and our everlasting dependence upon him, and his blood and righteousness, more and more. Oh, thou dear Lord, how very precious, yea, increasingly precious, art thou to my soul, when I look back, and contemplate the awful state of that foolish, disobedient, unrenewed nature, in which I was born; the many years I continued in it, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating; and the remains of indwelling corruption, even to this hour, which marks the body of sin, I carry about with me! Oh! the blessedness of knowing it; and the distinguishing mercy of so knowing it, as to loath myself for my own deformity, that I may be looking only to Jesus for holiness and salvation.” - Robert Hawker

Titus 2:14-15 - (GNVT)

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purge us to be a peculiar people unto himself, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and convince with all authority. See that no man despise thee.

Forgive my sin of not studying Your word yesterday – amen

Brethren:

For He hath redeemed us according to His mercy so that we might be one with Him again in Heaven. All believers should speak on His mercy and speak with authority so as to leave no doubt in the minds of the unrighteous. From there, they will either believe or not believe, but they cannot say that they did not know. - R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

“That He for us might pay a ransom, the ransom being His precious blood. Our Savior, by the payment of this tremendous ransom, O deepest and most unfathomable of all mysteries, released us from everything which is opposed to God’s blessed will. Here the mighty ransom is spoken of as freeing us from the bondage of lawlessness; elsewhere in the divine books the same ransom is described as delivering us from the penalties of this same breaking the divine law.” - Charles John Ellicott