GRINDIT podcast

Do you get angry easily? Are you ready to snap at the drop of a hat? Anger is a fruit of the flesh, not the Spirit! James makes it a point to say, “Be SLOW to anger!” How can we do that? By doing what he says just before that, “Be QUICK to listen and be SLOW to speak.” The problem with many people is we barely listen, we hear what we want to, and we are thinking about a response as the person is talking. And as soon as they take a breath, no matter if they are finished talking, we interrupt and yell our concerns at them! That is not from God my friends...it’s from the flesh. How can we live according to the Spirit of God and let Him lead us? It’s a simple as being in the word and obeying what God says on a daily basis. God has given us a choice; we can read His word and obey it...or we can read His word and do our own thing. However, if we live according to our flesh, if we try to have a Savior without the cross, if we haven’t crucified our flesh, there will be consequences and they will last for eternity! We may be able to fool a lot of people, but we will NEVER fool God!

What's the difference between a test and temptation? How do you know if it's of God or Satan? Or, could it just be from our own fleshly desires? One thing is for sure, James says God never tempts anyone! Temptation leads to sin therefore God will never tempt anyone because sin separates us from God...He wants us to draw close to Him as possible! God does test and these trials build our faith, they force us to rely on God to get us through. Unfortunately, many fall apart and their faith begins to fade, they waver, which James is warning against. But before you go blaming everything on God or the devil, you may want to take a look at yourself because James says we are drawn away from God by our own desires, and those desires can lead to temptation, which then leads to sin. The hey is to "flee" when those fleshly desires come; run to the Father who is there with open arms and ready to help see us through anything we face in this life!

When trouble comes, we are to run to God and ask Him for wisdom on how to get through it, and not doubt His direction. But far too often people do doubt God, in fact, when a storm comes in their life, they get mad at God, blame Him for everything, and return to a sinful life. That’s exactly what Satan wants! He tries to discourage us with many things so our focus will get off God and on to whatever troubles us. Then temptations come and, if we give, brings separation, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. That is why it is crucial that we are in the word every day and that we are praying many times a day! No matter the social scale or our bank account, troubles, trials, testing’s, and temptations will come. Not only will they come, but death will come at some point too and the only thing that will matter when we take our last breath is: Did I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior? Was I living for him and not myself?

When our world is upside down and it seems like chaos is all we deal with, when it seems like we can’t catch a break because life is kicking our butt, James says, “Ask God for wisdom.” He has already told his readers that troubles will come, and now he says, “When trouble comes, ask God for wisdom.” For someone to have wisdom, they have to experience something, then, once on the other side of the storm, they have dealt with the issue, they have endured, and now they can help others who are facing similar situations. God knows what it’s like to lose a son, he knows what it’s like to watch a family member go through so much pain, he knows what it’s like to watch a child be bullied, beaten, and killed. God knows what we deal with on a daily basis and he can help because he has been through it, he has experience, he is full of wisdom, and James says God will give it liberally if we ask...AND not waver, or doubt. If life is freaking out and you can’t figure things out or you’re wondering how you’re going to make it, run to God and ask him for wisdom, ask him for help, trust him with everything you have, and he will direct your path!

When our world is upside down and it seems like chaos is all we deal with, when it seems like we can’t catch a break because life is kicking our butt, James says, “Ask God for wisdom.” He has already told his readers that troubles will come, and now he says, “When trouble comes, ask God for wisdom.” For someone to have wisdom, they have to experience something, then, once on the other side of the storm, they have dealt with the issue, they have endured, and now they can help others who are facing similar situations. God knows what it’s like to lose a son, he knows what it’s like to watch a family member go through so much pain, he knows what it’s like to watch a child be bullied, beaten, and killed. God knows what we deal with on a daily basis and he can help because he has been through it, he has experience, he is full of wisdom, and James says God will give it liberally if we ask...AND not waver, or doubt. If life is freaking out and you can’t figure things out or you’re wondering how you’re going to make it, run to God and ask him for wisdom, ask him for help, trust him with everything you have, and he will direct your path!

When our world is upside down and it seems like chaos is all we deal with, when it seems like we can’t catch a break because life is kicking our butt, James says, “Ask God for wisdom.” He has already told his readers that troubles will come, and now he says, “When trouble comes, ask God for wisdom.” For someone to have wisdom, they have to experience something, then, once on the other side of the storm, they have dealt with the issue, they have endured, and now they can help others who are facing similar situations. God knows what it’s like to lose a son, he knows what it’s like to watch a family member go through so much pain, he knows what it’s like to watch a child be bullied, beaten, and killed. God knows what we deal with on a daily basis and he can help because he has been through it, he has experience, he is full of wisdom, and James says God will give it liberally if we ask...AND not waver, or doubt. If life is freaking out and you can’t figure things out or you’re wondering how you’re going to make it, run to God and ask him for wisdom, ask him for help, trust him with everything you have, and he will direct your path!

James just tells us like it is in his letter and he doesn’t waste any time getting started! He is writing to the Jewish Christians who have been scattered because of persecution. He tells them to consider what they are going through and let it build their endurance. In fact, the word “consider” actually means to be a leader during the hard times. We, as followers of Jesus, should be full of joy when hard times come and people should be able to follow our example during the hard times in life but isn’t that difficult?!?! Can people follow you, not when things are going great, but when things are chaotic and seem to be out of control? Can people still see Jesus in us when our lives seem to be falling apart? If not, why not because that is exactly what James is telling those persecuted Christians in his letter! Lead by example, even in the hard times.

Jesus has told his followers that he would be betrayed, killed, buried, but that he would be raised back to life on the third day. None of the disciples ever got it despite being told many times! Not even the women and they are much better listeners than men! Verse 1 says Mary Magdalene went and bought spices to bring to the tomb to put on Jesus' body which tells me she was expecting there to be a body in that tomb. As she and two other women were walking tomb, they were discussing who they could get to roll the stone away so they could get inside to the body. To their surprise, the stone had already been rolled back, the body of Jesus was gone, and there was some dude having a conversation with the, telling them Jesus had risen just as he had told them and that he was waiting for them in Galilee. They left the tomb scared for their lives! They didn't understand until later when Jesus showed up and rebuked them for their disbelief. Do you believe in the risen Savior?

What Does the Cross Mean To You? This is the question we cover in this podcast. We dive in to some ideas and verses that talk about the crucifixion and why Jesus had to die on the cross. To experience what real love is and to know God chose us while we enemies is mind blowing! You too can answer the same question...What does the cross mean to you?!?!

Jesus has been flogged and now he is crucified. It has happened just as he told his disciples on several occasions. Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, he was so weak he couldn't carry the cross so Simon had to help, he was nailed to there cross and put on public display to be humiliated for six hours. He would struggle to breathe in so much pain and agony when he cries out for the last time and dies. Joseph of Arimathea comes to Pilate and asks to bury the body of Jesus. Why did Jesus die such a cruel death on a cross? He died for my sin and your sin, so you and I could have our sins forgiven and have a relationship with the Father. Thank you Jesus!