Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: The latter part of the previous chapter dealt with loving and respecting all men (I Peter 2:17). That principle is   continued in this chapter on a more personal level. How husbands and wives should treat each other (I Peter 3:1-7) is taught. Most women cringe at Peter’s admonition to them. Peter’s counsel was, “… ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands …” (I Peter 3:1). Perhaps because of pride, thoughts of men taking advantage, his not making the right choices, fear of not having any say in a marriage, or a host of other reasons, most women dislike this commandment in the Bible. However, it is still commanded in the Word of God that the wife should be subject to her husband. In any relationship, there will be a leader. Observe two or more of any sex, and it will not be long until one assumes a leadership role. One may be more outspoken than another, have more suggestions than others, or may make more choices than the others. There will always be a leader i...

Daily Nugget: From time to time, many Christians lose sight of who they are in God’s eyes. Peter gives us at least seven  reminders of who the child of God is. He is chosen (I Peter 2:9). As sinful as we are, and even though we have let God down so many times, He has chosen us! He makes up the royal priesthood. In Old Testament times, there were priests picked because of the family they had come from – the tribe of Levi. Although there are to be no priests in this New Testament age that function as did the Old Testament priest, each believer is a “priest.” They can go to the Lord in prayer for themselves and others. They can give their lives for the needs of others. We are born into the royal family of God and can boldly go to the throne room of God. He makes up a “holy nation.” With their sins all forgiven, in God’s sight, we are a holy people. We are not better than anyone else. We are not perfect. However, by the grace of God, we are holy. He is a peculiar person (I Peter 2:...

  Daily Nugget: "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” I Peter 24-25 Kings and presidents come and go. Celebrities also rise and fall. People are here on this earth for a relatively short time, and then they are gone. One thing that will never vanish, and one book that will never be just a “fad,” is the Word of God. One could knock on most doors in your area and not find many households with books written over 100 years ago. Those houses would also hold even fewer copies of books that were over 500 years old. However, most of those houses would have at least portions of a book that is over 3,500 years old. Most homes have a Bible. This validates the prophecy that God’s Word will always be with us. Men, sometimes with Satan behind their actions, have tried different methods ...

Daily Nugget: As James concluded his letter, he gave his readers some spiritual advice. Most likely his advice was to halt practices that were going on in the lives of Christians then. His spiritual council included: That certain rich men, mostly likely unsaved (James 5:1-6), used their power and finances to take advantage of those they employed. James scolded them and told them their ill-gotten wealth was corrupted. God’s hand of blessing was not on them because of their atrocious behavior. Encouragement to Christians that they needed to be patient, as the Lord would someday return (James 5:7-8). Even during those times, early Christians expected the Lord to return. Like those people, all we can do is wait patiently and work until He comes. Not to hold grudges against others (James 5:9-11) — especially Christians. Not to swear. Although no one should utter filthy language, that is not the type of swearing it refers to here. James told these peopl...

Daily Nugget: James discusses a sin that has robbed many of an opportunity to be fully satisfied. It has also stolen much joy that some could be enjoying. This iniquity has often left some “emptier” than they were previously. As do all transgressions, this rampant sin gets people further away from God than they would ever imagine. It is the sin of lusting that is exposed in this chapter. One’s longing desire for many of the world’s tempting offerings is often an attempt to meet spiritual needs in one’s life with worldly things. One will never be truly fulfilled that way. More will always be needed as one’s carnal appetite increases. Lust for power and riches have caused the deaths of unfathomable numbers in war (James 4:2). No matter the earthly treasure gained, the insatiable hole in one’s soul remains unfilled (James 4:3). Covetous actions are identified as sin in the Bible. Attempts in asking God for things that will involve them in things God does not want them to have in the f...

Daily Nugget: A part of man or woman, big or small, old or young, gets them in the most trouble. As small as it is (James 3:5), this appendage helps send many in the wrong direction (James 3:3,4) and is responsible for many things that its owner regrets. This difficult to manage part of everyone’s anatomy is one’s tongue. Controlled, one’s tongue can be a blessing to God and man (James 3:9, 10). Uncontrolled, the tongue can: Make some desire to govern other’s lives (James 3:1). As Matthew Henry has said, “… do not give yourselves the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners. Do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your standard.” Offend others (James 3:2). Govern one’s whole body into doing wrong things (James 3:3, 4). Boast. We are nothing on our merit. If we have achieved anything more than a normal person, it is only because of God’s grace, mercy, and blessing. Boasting e...

Daily Nugget: The one thing that has kept many out of Heaven, even professing Christians, is discussed in this chapter (James 2:4-26). Sadly, those people may have thought they had done what was necessary to obtain Heaven but found they were mistaken. The faith that they thought would bar them from everlasting torment turned out not to be “real” faith. Just believing in God is not saving or trusting faith! Even the devils believe in God (James 2:19). They even tremble at the mention of Him, yet their “faith” will not save them any more than that kind of faith will save anyone. Satan has even talked to God, yet his knowing the Creator will not get him into Heaven. Knowledge is not necessarily faith. I can believe that there is a president in the Whitehouse, but that faith does not make me a member of his family or even part of his cabinet. Genuine Christian faith is more than knowing about spiritual things. The one ingredient that makes faith real is that one trusts o...

Daily Nugget: James, who some believe to be the brother of Jesus, gives practical advice in this writing. One of the most helpful and oft-experienced situations for all people, including believers, is discussed here. The “good” side of going through difficulties is examined in James 1:2-6. Here James identifies the difficulties, trials, and enticements all face as “divers temptations.” Although most initially shudder at even the thought of going through different problems, James exposes what can positively be gained by going through our individual “valleys.” Instead of agreeing how terrible it is to have problems, James encourages Christians to “… count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” (James 1:2). How could anyone be joyful when facing joblessness, heartaches, financial problems, family problems, or the thousands of difficulties we all face in our lifetime? James tells us we can be “joyful” because: The trying of our faith during the hard times builds our patience...