To the Church Scatterred Abroad, greetings! (James 1:1)

    “James, a bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. Greetings”

    Colin, a bondservant of God and Jesus Christ; to those of the church scattered abroad that may happen to read this blog:

Greetings from El Salvador.

    As I read this verse, the second phrase: “to the twelve tribes” gives me a sense of the breadth and width of James’ influence and authority. James’ ministry was specifically appointed to the baptized people of Israel as a head elder in Jerusalem. Now imagine the responsibilities and tasks this man had-- probably numerous. He had to minister and pastor the thriving yet poor church in Jerusalem, defend the faith from the legalistic Judaisers in the capital of Judaism, he had to delegate and discipline his fellow leaders and help alongside them to grow in their walks with Christ, plus many more things including the possibilities of being the head of a family. Yet finding gaps within his schedule, he capitalized on them by writing this divine letter full of encouragement, correction, and exhortation.

    Application: The Holy Spirit has been convicting me for a couple of days to follow James example and write letters to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I tried limiting myself just to my parents, supporters, and fellow Igniters which are working in Costa Rica and Uganda; but James didn’t jusrt write to the twelve tribes that might be close to him but the “twelve tribes scattered abroad.” So
I’m also going to write letters to my brothers and sisters I’ve left in Vancouver that I don’t usually contact with and build them up and stir them for love and good works.

Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread for the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

                Here we get a beautiful picture about the various purposes the word of God fulfills. God uses the rain to personify His word; it provides words for the evangelist “seed to the sower” and nourishment to the spiritual man “bread to the eater.” But not only that, but it gives growth to fruit of the Spirit, it softens dirt to mud so that Satan’s armies would halt in their advance, it ignites the energy of the ones who have walked through the valley of spiritual drought, and it purifies and cleanses the spirit of men.

                Now, just as we can’t manipulate the rain to fall within its descent, we cannot control the word of God to constrain what it’s sent to do. Look at how it’s not my word, or our word, but God says it’s “My word that goes forth from My mouth.” It’s not our word that will not return void, but God proclaims “My word… shall not return to Me.” We may handle the word of God to try to encourage, exhort, correct, and teach yet it is God who says “it shall not accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing which I sent it.” God takes ownership in His word and what will be done by it.

                Application: I’m called to handle His word wisely and divide it correctly, but I need to make it clear in my mind that it’s His word that is effective with accomplishing His divine purposes, not my words or my use of His word. Will I be faithful in speaking His word that He delegates to me even if it doesn’t produce the expected results that I’m looking for? I need to be content with what God says whether it ignites revival or hardens wicked, unrepentant hearts. Such is the job of a prophet: speak what God says to speak and do what God commands to do, and the prophet will be used to accomplish God’s sovereign purpose within His word.

Isaiah 55:9

                “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts”

                So not only are my thoughts not His thoughts, but His thoughts are higher than mine. How high? “As the heavens are higher than the earth” for His thoughts are heavenly while mine are carnal. I can imagine and picture the intricacies of science and examine the ways at which the clouds form and how mountains are founded, yet the Lord knows both what I’ve just explained and how the cosmos array His glory and how HE sets the earth in such a place with all the precise sets of physical laws so that rushing activities of the stars will not destroy the earth till God permits.

                “My ways are higher than your ways” I might build a city with relative beauty and wise design, yet the Lord is going to create this “New Jerusalem” who’s designed perfectly in dimension and ascetics and is lit up by the glory of God. I might sacrifice my time or energy or even my reputation to try and help someone, yet God sent His son to be spat upon, scourged and absorb the wrath of God for my sin. “For scarcely a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.”

                Application: What’s amazing about this verse is that His ways and thoughts, which are infinitely higher than mine, are bent towards my good. Will I have enough faith that all things, no matter how unusual or painful or beyond my comprehension, will end up being for my highest good and His highest glory. I will work harder to work faithfully in this wise covenant with the Lord and invite people into this wonderful covenant with the Lord who’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours as the heavens are higher than the earth.

                “Yes, I will rejoice over them and to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.” (Jeremiah 32:41) In times of distress and confusion, may the Lord give me grace to hang on to this verse.

Isaiah 55:8

“’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD.”

                Though I will not admit it consciously, I get the impression in my mind that I comprehend the unsearchable depths of the knowledge of God. Yet I haven’t even scathed the surface of God’s knowledge and wisdom for my thoughts and His thoughts are categorically different. Yet this is comforting to know that His ways are incomprehensible in perfection and His thoughts are so higher than my depraved thoughts.

                “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them, if I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand,” (Psalm 139:17-18) My thoughts of myself are so degrading when I hear and believe the condemnation of the devil. Yet “My thoughts are not your thoughts” The condemnations I believe of myself don’t even pass God’s mind, instead He looks at me with such delight, affection, and love. Oh how freeing is this!

                Application: This verse applies to me two-fold. One, I need to understand how much wiser and knowledgeable God’s ways and thoughts are so that I may be humbled. Secondly, I can be comforted in the knowledgeable that His thoughts are not my thoughts and that His love passes my understanding.

                “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6)

Isaiah 55:7

“Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

                As a minister of reconciliation, I’m called to this very verse. The word “let” strikes me; it doesn’t say “make” or “force” but it says to “let” meaning to permit or allow the ungodly person to repent without being an extra stumbling block to them. I need to be open, not only practically, but mentally for a wicked person to repent and be reconciled to God, for that’s my calling.

                Another responsibility as a minister of reconciliation is tearing down obstacles that prevent sinners from being reconciled to God. False assumptions of Christianity are a large part about why unbelievers won’t turn to God, such as what the church should be and how Christian life should be lived. How often does my conduct or attitude feed the unbelievers false assumptions that drive them farther from God? My pride and selfishness can spring up to create a taller stumbling block for the sinner, and it ends up damaging my ministry. I’m going to need to pray for God to show me those unneeded stumbling blocks within myself or the world that keeps people from repenting to God. I will ask for the wisdom and willingness to clear the rubble along the road for the sinner to walk into the forgiving arms of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 55:6

                “Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near,”

                This divine invitation is mainly for unrepentant sinners, yet the true believer even now can apply this verse. Though he’s already found the Lord, He is still beckoning the believer: “Seek the LORD while He may be found” which is a constant truth for the believer that the Lord is always near with him. How often though, is the believer so distracted by little trinkets such as creation, theology, blessing, evangelism, even fellowship and ministry, that he does not hear the divine knuckles of his Savoir knocking on his heart so that the believer might welcome Him in and dine with the Lord, which is the highest form of communion and fellowship on earth.

                “Call upon Him while He is near.” Again for the believer, this will always be true. Even when our minds are thinking carnal things, or when our soul faints within us because we believe Satan’s lie that God is far away on His lofty throne dealing with more important matters than answering us, He’s yet more near to us than how our eyes are near to our head. What father doesn’t run to his child when the child cries out in distress, what father doesn’t keep his yes affectionately on the child whom he loves; how much more than with our omnipresent and omnipotent Father be towards His children who’s names are engraved into His hands? Even in times of spiritual silence and dryness of prayer where the Lord seems far, He’s near.

                Application: Sometimes I can be so distracted by things at the Ranch that I don’t seek the Lord who is always near to me. In times of business, service, and ministry, I can still be with my Father, acknowledging Him and seeking His help and counsel. I’m also going to spend more time in personal devotional time with the Lord instead of being distracted by guitar and games in the coffee shop.

Luke 17:10

                “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants. WE have done what was our duty to do.””

                “We are unprofitable servants, unworthy slaves, even serving the Lord at the lowest position of service; I’m yet unworthy and unprofitable for such a position. Even after I’ve done all what was command of me—still unworthy. This title will always be attached to me even through eternity. For even if I’ve done all, have I done all with humility? or with joy? or with Christ-like love? Even so, have I done such things with the depth of devotion that Christ deserves? Anything short of Christ likeness is unworthy, for Christ didn’t just do all that He was commanded, but did it in a way that pleased the Father.

                Yet our Master knows this “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14) He alone knows the extent of our own unworthiness because HE alone knows the extent of the His Son’s worthiness. This should humble me in the greatest extent for I’m just a drop in the bucket compared to the humility and service of Jesus Christ my Lord.

Application: As a result of the juxtaposition between me and Christ, I will always be unprofitable and unworthy. If I truly grasp this, I will be able to be humble in my service and confess to my Master honestly that “I’m an unprofitable servant; I’ve done what was my duty to do.” I will be meditating on the preeminence of Christ and reading about His service through the gospels and be humbled by Him, then strive to be like Him the best I can through God’s grace.

Luke 17:9

                “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.”

                Reading and meditating on this verse convicts me deeply on something I’ve ignored for weeks on end. This sinful attitude and motivation has always been a crux for me on my lack of true humility and it’s one of my traits that largely shape my behavior; and it is this: receiving praise. It’s not that I receive recognition that’s the sin, but the active seeking out for it; the hunger, the desire for compliments and renown. This is the main reason why I act respectfully towards people, why I follow leadership and try to be a good leader, why I behave well, why I show love and kindness towards people, why I do the best job that I can. All these things within themselves aren’t bad, they are actually good and biblical; but they are all tainted by my deceitful intention to receive praise.

                Just thinking about writing this makes me sick, for I know I will get compliments for how “honest and genuine” I am by writing this. It makes me cringe in frustration, for a part of me looks forward to receiving such praise. It’s one of the Pharisaic woes that Jesus pronounced for their desire for attention from the people. I’m the Pharisee in the front of the altar that prays to himself, while I should be the tax collector, not even looking towards the heavens, asking God for mercy on my men-pleasing, compliment seeking, fleshly sinful heart.

                I don’t even know where to start from here, for I always have the hope of what other people even good Christians, think about me. It pollutes almost every Christian service and show of character; I even try to be consistent when people aren’t around so I feel better. Even if I somehow get the desire not to be recognized out of my flesh, I will probably boast about it within my mind. I’, supposed to be genuine and obedient for my Master, and I shouldn’t even desire for praise from Him. Why can’t I follow Jesus’ commandments for His praise alone, and not to be thanked or praise for it? I should genuinely see myself as a lowly servant who’s only will is to do what the Master wills.

                Application: Again, I don’t know where to start, for it’s a deeply habitual and powerful thing for me. Could I just do God’s will for no thanks at all, not even from Him? That sounds good on paper, but it seems impossible for me practically. I can’t let this paralyze me though, for God still uses my actions for His glory, though they’re deeply polluted like dirty rags. It makes me question on how few of the “good works” I’ve done aren’t hay and stubble that fail the test as they go through the fire. I’m just thankful for the cross right now, and I pray that this habitual desire won’t get in the way too much for God to accomplish His will through me.

                O God, circumcise my recognition seeking heart, that I might not sin against You. It’s impossible with men, but with You, O God, all things are possible. Forgive me and cleanse me, and give me a clean heart. Amen

Luke 17:8

“But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk and afterward you will eat and drink.’”

Oh another source of grace. He has angels, more glorious, more holy than we are; yet we are brought in to His Kingdom to serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Jesus can speak things into being by just a breath of a syllable, yet we get to be a part of the ministry of reconciliation and the establishment of His kingdom. Adam received the curse to his labor, yet we’re redeemed in that we plow a field whose ownership is the Lord’s and we tend this sheep that has been bought by His blood.

He can make His own seasoned food that far surpasses the finest cuisines, yet He tells us to takes up His pots to make Him food a loving response to Him who has bought us by His own precious blood.

May it not be that I drag my feet towards the kitchen in frustration while complaining about how I have to serve Him even more. Far be it that I gird myself with a scowl and a self-pitying countenance. Why? For it’s grace lavished on grace that the Lord, not just let me dwell with Him in His holy palace, but also to serve Him! This passage implies a spiritual truth that before I enjoy the fruit of my labor, I give Jesus my first fruits and then He allows me to enjoy it with Him. Yet it’s not my meal, it’s His. It’s His plates that I set on the table, it's His apron that I gird myself with, and it's His food, grown in His field, cooked by His stove fueled by His wood cut down by His axe-- all thigns I use ot serve Him, they are all His.

Application: It's an absolute privelage given out of grace adn mercy, that He commands me to do for Him. He commands me to do for Him. Before the spirit of grudgenment indwells my heart when I'm told to do something more than usual, I need to remind myself that He's commanding this out of love for me, for I will be laboring and being blessed with that labor with Hi. "And afterwards you will eat adn drink." Every morning I'm going to pray expecting that I will recieve more work than I expect so that I won't be suprised and I will be ready to go through it. 

Luke 17:7

“And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, “Come at once and sit down to eat”

How often do we spend time praying for Jesus to come back quickly or for the Lord to take us into heaven in times of distress? In some moments, this is a rightful prayer to ask, just like how our Lord asked the Father “if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me” asking God for another way than the cross. In times of infliction and of sorrow, we rightly and honestly put out this desire. Bu then we should then utter the words “Your will be done,” declaring that God’s will be done above our own.

When we look thought the rest of the New Testament, we find that there are certain things God has willed for people to do. Paul escaped many near death experiences because it was God’s will for him to suffer many things and to write the divine texts of God. We also see this with Jesus Christ as He dodged stoning and escaped angry crowds so that He would work more works, and finally do the ultimate work for our salvation on the cross.

Application: While I’m doing the normal universal will of God for being a Christian, I should be looking out for the unique, specific will of God for my life. I know while seeking and fulfilling my specific calling, I will be in tribulation that will grow a desire for me to stop my work. Yet through that, I should remember that I’m but a slave that has more work to do for Him and His kingdom. Lord, give me this humility and perseverance that doesn’t expect reward for works that I haven’t done yet.

Luke 17:6

“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea’ and it would obey you.”

The power to do this is not out of the size of my faith, but rather the size and power of whom my faith is in. Even a tiny little mustard seed or a speck of dirt is enough for the Lord to work His omnipotent power. Five loaves and two fish, with the Lord can feed 5,000 people. I need to not look at my faith, but to the Lord who’s able to move this tree. Even something that doesn’t seems impossible to happen practically “be planted in the sea” still happens!

Application: When I don’t have enough time or strength or energy to do something, I need not look at myself, but look to the Lord who’s able to accomplish it through me. I should also pray for the weird and impossible, for the advancement of His kingdom and the further praise of His name.