6-10-07James 1:17, 18

James 1:17, 18 (NIVUS)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

James 1:17, 18 (NRSV)
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

James 1:17, 18 (Philips)
But every good endowment and every complete gift must come from above, from the Father of all lights, with whom there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency. By his own wish he made us his own sons through the Word of truth, that we might be, so to speak, the first specimens of his new creation.

God, who is the Creator of all things, is the Father of all who have put their faith and trust in His Son Jesus Christ. He is your preserver, guardian, and protector. He has brought you into an intimate relationship with Himself and you have no need to dread Him or to be afraid to stand in His presence. He has reconciled you to Himself.

He is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all. He is pure and holy and holds all truth and knowledge. He has never and will never change. His character and nature never varies. He does not become different than He always is. He does not transform Himself into something unknown. If He should turn around, He would cast no shadow; He is total and complete Light. He is whole, with no separation at all.

You know that you can trust Adonai, for His is a giving God. His very nature causes Him to seek your best and good. He bestows on you only good and excellent things. You only receive benefit and advantages from the Almighty's hand. He furnishes everything necessary for your welfare. He commits and entrusts you with His very own Spirit. He pours out of His own nature to empower and strengthen you, so that you can take care of His interests.

Almighty God, by His own will, purpose and determination, brought you forth to satisfy His own desires. He destroyed the union and fellowship that you had with sin. He then re-established you in union and fellowship with Himself, through the blood of His very own Son Jesus Christ. As He spoke the universe into existence, so too, through His word, He brought you to rebirth from death. His command revealed His truth to you, allowing you to forsake the lies of the enemy. You now exist as the first fruits of His harvest. You have been consecrated to God for all time.