I am in James 1:2. I am looking at the first two words in the Greek, "all joy." In what way does all modify joy? I believe it means there is no part of my heart and mind which are not dancing with happiness when faced with various trials. My joyful spirit is not mixed with any sorrow, hurt or complaint. Trials must be faced with complete happiness.

I don't know about you but this is a tall order. Not just as I face various and simultaneous trails myself, but as I teach others to do the same. Do you know a beloved brother or sister in the faith who has done this? How have you done it?

A study of the LORD being the First and the Last.

We cross reference Isaiah 41:4; 44:6, and 48:10 with Revelation 1:8, 11, 17-18; 21:6; 22:12. 22:12 allows us to see the First and Last and Beginning and End and Alpha and Omega are all the same. First, they mean the same because they are used together in 22:12. Secondly because the meaning of the the phrase is the same. First and Last has the same meaning as Beginning and End and Alpha and Omega. This should be easily discerned.

In Isaiah only the phrase First and Last appear. 

1. Why does John use two other like phrases?

2. Do the two other phrases take on the same meaning as the first? 

3. Why use this title of the Lord or what does it mean? 

    - As a principle I move from O.T. to N.T or fine out what the meaning is first in O.T.

    - Does anything in Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, or 48:10 help us define the usage/meaning? 

    - How does the general theme of Isaiah 41 through 48 match with Revelation?

4. Is John borrowing from Isaiah or does he have Isaiah in mind when using this term. What is the legitimacy of making this correlation. 

In Isaiah 41:4 God from the very beginning of creation until that point in time had moved nations around according to His own will. First and Last have to do with supreme power over all time. 

In Isaiah 44:6 God is the only God who has existed from the beginning of time until the end of all time. He sees "his Redeemer" as being one with Him and also "LORD of host." He is the first God and the last God and thus says "Besides Me there is no God." Images which men make, 44:9, are not gods. 

In Isaiah 48:10 the setting is on of judgement. God will hold off because of His name sake but they should know that God laid the foundation of the world and His right hand pulled together the heavens. Even more He can make them all do what He wishes. Can God judge His own people? 

So what is my conclusion and is it right? 

1. The LORD is the one and only God of all time past and future. Idols of men are nothing and mock the living God.

2. The Redeemer carries the same name as God, LORD, and is God. The Redeemers role difference is in the term redeemer and host. 

3. The setting for the usage of the name is judgement and showing of power.

So now the correlation with Revelation 

3. Revelation setting is final judgement and fits perfect. The description of Christ sandwiched between the name First and Last is one of a person who is worthy to open the scroll. 

2. Revelation 4 sets up God in the throne room who is ultimately in control. His Redeemer in chapter 5 is the captain of the LORD of Host. 

1. The one in the vision in chapter one of Revelation is the Almighty God who was died but lives forever more and was from eternal past and will be to eternity future. This Jesus is God, LORD and ultimate and all power warrior and judge of the living and dead and the righteous and sinners. Men will hide under rocks to escape His wrath with no avail. 

Ok, how can you add to this, further explain and share in the church and your lives?

numbering in chiastic order: grammatical constructions repeated in reverse order 

Ok, the term trinity is not in the Bible but the truth is.  Can the trinity be understood and explained? Your thoughts.

How do three persons become one. The Bible is full of statements like Jesus talking to His Father. So, Jesus and the Father are clearly separate, but how do they become one? This Sunday's Sermon is on John 1:1. How does this work?

Can God die? Well, if Jesus is God, did He not die? Is the conclusion God died? Some interpret dying as ceasing to exist until a later time. The Bible clearly does not teach this. Understanding the three in one really help us get at this question. So what are your thoughts?

James 2:14ff is what this Sunday's sermon is going to be on. May 6, 2012
   1. The NKJV translates the last six words in Greek, "Can faith save him?"
   2. The NASB and ESVS translates the same "Can that faith save him?
   3. A literal translation would be "Not able the faith to save him."
   4. It could be translated "Can that kind of faith save him?"

The focus than is on a particular kind of faith and not just on faith. The context of the destitute brother illustration gives the kind of faith being addressed. A faith which walks it's talk. Many different types of people believe in God. Well, so do the demons but they have one added attribute which is not like the ones who believe. They tremble before God. Neither demons or those exercising the wrong kind of faith will make it into heaven. That kind of faith will not save a person.

What kind of faith do you have?