What does “Faith Without Works Is Dead” mean?    

I think one of the neatest books in the Bible is James.  James was a brother of Jesus, so  I always figured that he just might have an inside track into the Lord, our God.  In the beginning of my walk with Christ I was always very enthralled with this book.  When I read this book, I was surprised at how “in your face” James is with us.  James tells us clearly in chapter 2:14-26 about having faith, but without works our faith is dead.  Dead?  I really didn’t get this until several years into my own walk with the Lord.  I literally tried to work my way to Heaven and the graces of the people I was serving.  Not until I became exhausted did I really fully understand that works alone cannot get you into God’s graces.  The grace of God is a gift not to be taken lightly.  But there is not one time in the word of God where God tells us to work our way to Heaven.  However, James tells us that two things are needed.  You have to actually put “feet” to your faith.  If you say that you follow Christ and do not do things that show people your faith, then your faith is dead.  But, you cannot be justified by works alone.  I know people who try to work their way to Heaven and yet lead a sinful life.  That is like trying to mix vinegar and water….it won’t work.  Show God your faith in Him by what you do for others, such as for your family and for those in need…be the hands of Jesus as well as the heart of Jesus.  Then your faith with your works will serve the greatest Master of them all in the way that will glorify Him.  On top of it all,  it will be satisfying to you as well.  You have to show God that you believe in Him and what He tells us in the Bible, not just give Him lip service.  Remember: Faith + Works…… is the order of the day for those of us who believe.  Works alone won't do it and faith alone won't do it.  

 What does being double-minded mean? (James 1:8)

This is a good question that definitely needs to be addressed.  There are many people who say that they walk with the Lord or are at least trying to but yet there is much negativity and doubt that comes from their lips.  The Holy Spirit is on the move and people are rising up trying to get what He is saying.  One of the biggest problems I hear constantly is the defeat coming out of the mouths of God’s children. These people are good people, they sow into the Kingdom, but what is coming out of their mouths is not from Heaven.  Heaven is not DEFEAT.  You can’t say you are following Christ and then do everything against what the Bible teaches.  Where the “ball is being dropped” is when people are not putting enough time into letting Christ consume their thinking.  Transformation comes in your thinking and then takes root in your heart, so your lips start to line up with what the Bible teaches (Romans 12:2).   You have to be able to set your mind and your ways of thinking on a new course if you want to gain the victory over your mouth.  The Bible teaches if a man be “born-again,” remember? (2 Corn 5:17)  When you are born again, you think a new way, act a new way, behave a new way, speak a new way….you are actually “new” in Christ.  Being double-minded means you are speaking two things out of your mouth at one time.  You haven’t been transformed yet by the Holy Spirit.  For example, when you make a comment like, “I feel like crap” and you are trying to walk with Christ, what SHOULD be coming out of your mouth should be, “By His stripes I am healed.”  Stop speaking negative things.  Years ago, I asked the Lord why He didn’t just put a great big piece of duck tape over my mouth till I could get it.  Well, He didn’t do it for me and He is not going to do it for you.  You have to want a change in your life and you have to want things to be better.  In order to have this YOU have to do something about it.  Being saved is just the beginning.  There is so much more you could have while you are here but you have to want it.  The Bible teaches “Let the weak SAY I am strong.  Let the poor SAY I am rich.”  Get the point?  Most people experience defeat because it will cost something (time) to get the victory in their negative thinking.  It begins with a willing heart.  As you start to let the Word transform your mind, it will transform your words and your whole way of thinking about situations will start to change.  You have to “put on the mind of Christ” and then you won’t be wishy-washy, speaking positive and negatives words out of your mouth at the same time.  God is clear that these kinds of people are unstable in all of their ways……

Is God A Good God? 

I have been walking with the Lord, or should I say trying to walk with the Lord, on a very concentrated basis for years now.  I have seen the hand of God move in very tangible ways, so much so that it has truly been, as I look back, unbelievable.  With that being said, I can say with confidence that God is a good God.  I have a solid history with Him.  There are those that feel that if something bad happens to them, God doesn’t love them and they begin to think that God is a “bad God.”   We serve (if we are trying to walk with Christ) a God who truly is multifaceted in His ways.  The power of love that He has for us can be hard to grasp at times.  The Bible teaches that God chastises those He loves (Hebrews 12:6).  But, God has had to chastise me many times to get me where I needed to be, not only for Him, but also for myself.  I didn’t like those times and I still don’t like those times, but I have learned (finally) that they were meant for my good and not for my harm.  I would stand and proclaim God’s goodness to anyone.  He has given me the clothes I wear, the home I live in, the food I eat, He sees to it that the bills get paid and He gives me peace of mind that keeps me steady.   I know that if I am faithful and obedient to do what I believe, I will have His hand upon my life and that cannot be bought.  Yes, I serve a good God no matter what happens to me.  There are those who feel that God is unjust at times but the God I serve is just all the time.  His love is multifaceted, which we need to learn to embrace.  Some feel that if God doesn’t give us something good, it is not from God…wrong thinking.  God is love (1John 4:8) and with that comes the good, the bad and the ugly.  This is for our own good, not because He is ready to slam us down.  God is more than we know, but be aware that He can be a disciplinarian if He needs to be because He loves you.         

What has Jesus got to do with depression?

Jesus is our deliverer, our healer and our Great Physician.  He healed me from years of torment and depression.  Now it isn’t to say that I don’t slip but I have the tools to use to overcome it.  Oppression is not the same as depression.  Oppression is outside of you and depression is on the inside of you.  They are two different things.  Although, at times, oppression can make you feel depressed.  That feeling is a very tricky one.  By staying close to the Lord, you can weather it.  What doctors and medication couldn’t do for me, the anointing of Christ flowing through my being did.  It was supernatural.  What does Jesus have to do with depression?  Everything.