Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 29
Monday


ONLY A RIVET

READ:
James 3:13-18
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The wisdom that is
from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle,
...without partiality
and without hypocrisy.
__ James 3:17
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Scientists have determined that faulty rivets may have caused the rapid sinking of the "unsinkable" HMS Titanic. According to researchers who recently examined parts recovered from the wreck, impure rivets made of wrought iron rather than steel caused the ship's hull to open like a zipper. The Titanic proves the foolishness of spending resources on fancy equipment and public promotion while neglecting the "ordinary" parts.

In a sense, churches are like ships, and many of their people are like rivets. Although rivets seem insignificant, they are essential for holding the ship together and keeping it afloat.

Feelings of insignificance are rampant these days, even among Christians, and some do hurtful things to make themselves feel important, James says, "Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" (3:16). People corrupted by worldly desires for beauty, wealth, and power can bring down great chruches, but people who are pure and undefiled (1:27) hold churches together.

As members of God's church, we need to be "rivets" without defect. When we are pure (James 3:17), strong (Eph. 6:10), and steadfast (1 Cor. 15:58), we will be used by the Lord to keep His ship afloat in times of crisis. __ Julie Ackerman Link
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~The task Thy wisdom hath assigned,~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O let me cheerfully fulfill;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~In all my works Thy presence find,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~And prove Thy good and perfect will. __ Wesley~~~~~~~~
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It is a great thing to be faithful in little things.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ James 3:13-18*************

13 Who is wise and
understanding among you?
Let him show by good
conduct that his works are
done in the meekness of
wisdom. 14 But if you have
bitter envy and self-seeking
in your hearts, do not boast
and lie against the truth.

15 This wisdom does not
descend from above, but is
earthly, sensual, demonic.

16 For where envy and self-
seeking exist, confusion and
every evil thing are there.

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. 18 Now
the fruit of righteousness is
sown in peace by those who
make peace.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

This letter is one of the earliest New Testament writings (AD 44-47).
There are several James mentioned in the New Testament, including:
James, the son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:3); James, the father of Judas
(not Iscariot; Luke 6:16); James, the son of Zebedee, who was
beheaded by Herod in AD 44 (Matt. 4:21; Acts 12:1-2); and James
the half-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55). This book was most likely
written by the half-brother of Jesus. In John 7:5 we read that he was
a nonbeliever. Then Christ appeared to him after the resurrection
(1 Cor. 15:7) and he became a leader of the church (Gal. 2:9).
James was written to encourage Jewish Christians--dispersed by
persecution and undergoing severe hardships__to remain steadfast
to the Lord. __SKT