Plans
James 4:13-17 We all make plans while considering as many variables as possible. But when we ignore God’s will when we plan, we ignore this reality- God’s will determines whether or not our plans will succeed or have any lasting value! If we can determine the goals at the heart of our plans we will learn where our hearts treasure lies. Then we can learn to submit to…
Relationships
James 3:18-4:12 Relationships don’t put us in conflict with each other as much as they put us in conflict with our own sinful nature. If you will not fight or flight but face the inevitability of conflict in relationships, you will find them to be wonderful opportunities to grow in greater levels of maturity and intimacy with God and others. Just as our words are a…
Wisdom
James 3:13-18 If God were to grant you one wish, what would you ask for? In 1Kings 3 when Solomon had just begun his reign over Israel. God came to him and said, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And so, Solomon, out of all the things he could have chosen he asked not for wealth, power or fame but for wisdom. Solomon later writes that wisdom is…
Words
James 3:1-12 The quality and content of your words tell you a lot about your spiritual condition, the health of your soul. Most of the hurt in our lives have come from the words that we have spoken and the words that have been spoken to us. We live in a day and time of social media where words abound.
Faith
James 2:14-26 James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Romans 3:28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Who Is Right – James or Paul? BOTH! “Justified” = Gr. make yourself right or prove yourself right.
Mercy
James 2:1-13 James teaches us that when you are saved by Christ, you are not only cleansed of your sin but you also have been given the power to mature in Christ-likeness through a process. In other words, true faith will always produce real fruit. In his pointed and straightforward style, James tells us that this forging of maturity is done through many trials of…
Scripture
James 1:18-27 If we have been born again through the Spirit of God making the Word of God alive to our heart (v18a), then why aren’t our lives more remarkable (2Pet1:3-4)? Why are we too easily overwhelmed by trials (outward pressures) and overtaken by temptations (inward pressures)? When was the last time you were awestruck by the wealth of God’s presence, the comfort…
Temptations
James 1:9-18 Aron Lee Ralston Story (Matt5:29-30). Heaven and hell are at stake in what you do in dealing with temptation and sin. The more you experience the lifegiving joy of knowing Christ Jesus the more you will take drastic measures in dealing with any temptation and sin that will keep you from Him. All you must do is watch the nightly news and you will be…
Trials 2
James 1:1-12 It’s not what happens TO YOU (circumstances) but what happens IN YOU (character) that either makes you bitter or better in life. It’s why you can have two people going through a similar set of difficult circumstances and one becomes bitter and the other becomes better.
Trials
James 1:1-12 If you ask people who don’t believe in God why they don’t, the number one reason will be suffering. If you ask people who believe in God when they grew most spiritually, the number one answer will be suffering. -Ortberg “Soul Keeping” It’s not what happens TO you (circumstances) but what happens IN you (character) that either makes you (better) or breaks…