Jesus came to earth so we might have life and have it in abundance, not a life of drudgery, but a life of joy and happiness. So, let me ask, “Are you happy?” This week we will look at both Psalm 1 and James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a and see if we are working against our own happiness. The message, “Are you Happy?” will hopefully get us thinking and acting in ways that will both please God and make us happy. Our special mission’s guest will be Benward L’oningo representing Free Generation in Tanzania.
See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jim
Psalm 1
The Two Ways
1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.In all that they do, they prosper.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for[a] those who make peace.
Friendship with the World
4 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet[b] something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
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10:30am: