The Word: James 1: 18 – 19(KJV)
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Dig Deeper: James 1: 19 – 20(AMP)
19 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; 20 for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].
Think about it
SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK
Our text today again is so simple and direct. Another counsel from Apostle James the brother of Jesus. For us to be able to practice the word effectively. He gave us 3 counsel:
1. Be swift to hear
2. Be slow to speak
3. Be slow to anger
Those are 3 golden principles. If we will adopt it, we will be shocked at how our lives will be positively affected. I love the amplified:
– Be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener],
– Be slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and],
– Be slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];
This is the way to become a word practitioner. The scripture says: Once God has spoken, twice have I heard, that power belongs to the Lord – Psalm 62: 11. In other words we ought to be quick and smart learners. However we shouldn’t always be quick to reply to what we hear. There is wisdom many times in delayed response. By not responding at the heat of the moment, many things can be saved. When there is delayed response, wisdom and maturity is applied.The only people we need to respond back to immediately are demons, principalities, powers…
With human beings we need to be tuned in to the Holy Spirit whether to respond quickly or show restraint. But as a matter of principle on a general note (and that is not always for every case) James is advising us to learn the art of restraint. And lastly he says we should try and not be angry. Ephesians 4: 26 says we can be angry but we should sin not….. That is a tall order. How do you do that. He is basically saying God actually does get angry so we as his children may also be angry at certain things but we should through the help of the Holy Spirit quell unnecessary, avoidable anger.
Ephesians 4: 26 (AMP)
26 Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.
Remember the 3 golden principles today to be effective as a word practitioner: Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
Nuggets:
Golden principles are trusted methods and techniques to achieve a desired result
Our memory verse for April 2018
Psalm 119: 130
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 2 lines:
Line 1: The entrance of thy words giveth light;
Line 2: It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord help me to be a practitioner of your word
On the word: Recommended book
The Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren
The Word: Deuteronomy 2: 2 – 3(KJV)
2 And the Lord spake unto me, saying,
3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
Dig Deeper: Daniel 43: 18-19(KJV)
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Think about it
REVISTING THE PROMISES FOR THIS YEAR
As we have come to a weekend of seeking God and in a month of focus on God’s word, it is important to appreciate that God’s prophecy or promises are equally as powerful or potent as the scriptures.
The bible is documented promises or words inspired by the Holy Spirit. A direct word to the house is a Rhema (word in real time) which is equally as powerful and relevant for our year.
Our father said this year is our year of NEXT LEVEL and we said NEXT LEVEL is changing position upwards, moving to the next stage spiritually, physically, maritally as a Church and in every spect of our lives. But for many of us and the church does it look like next level right now? Perhaps many will answer: NO
For some people it might even look like a lower level. But we must not forget that God said we should be expectant of four things.
– New things. He will do New things
– Restructuring. Our lives will need to be restructured and reorganised
– It’s OK to take a step back in order to leap forward
– He will take away all reproach.
Remember Haggai 2:9 The glory of the latter shall be greater than the former. It may not yet look like NEXT LEVEL but God’s word is settled forever. That is what he said. Let’s key in and align ourselves to this.
Nuggets:
God’s word is like the rain and the snow. It will accomplish what’s it’s been sent to do
Our memory verse for April 2018
Psalm 119: 130
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 2 lines:
Line 1: The entrance of thy words giveth light;
Line 2: It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord help me to align myself to your word of prophecy
On the word: Recommended book
The Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren
