James 5:13:17

 As we conclude the book of James and as we finish out this portion in particular, may we be reminded of what we learned. James is possibly the first book written to believers after the Resurrection. As we read it displays like a book of proverbs and is a pastoral book. James is writing to the new "Christian," of how to live and how to stand in our faith.

As we conclude it, I am overwhelmed with the emotions that come through the thread of the book. Our walk is not an easy one- yet it is very deliberate, very purposeful and very rich indeed. Full of the grace and mercy which God so richly bestowed on us. 

We are to walk worthy in every trial, in every circumstance seeing it all a joy. Not mard by or set of fire by our tongue; but allowing our mouths to be bearers of fruit- professing the hope that is within us to all who surround us- and that hope is Jesus Christ!

Is any among you...suffering-pray...cheerful-sing praise...sick-ask the elders for prayer. Prayer. Diligent prayer is being taught. In need pray- in joy worship- weary from the spiritual battle- go to the elders of your church and ask for them to pray. Confess sins that are keeping you from Christ. This moreso meaning not every single sin- but we can all probably have that nagging habitual sin that pops to mind- that feels we simply cannot conquer- when we fall, bring it to a sister of the faith and ask them to pray with you. (Or your spouse!) 

I am reminded again and again how much I discount the power of prayer. I have been given the ability to communicate with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe...yet often that is my last resort. I try and do or solve or sob or eat chocolate or whatever feels most promising to ease the situation- yet so often I fail to be still before the Lord and pray. 

James reminds us of Elijah...basically saying he was an ordinary man (a nature like ours) and his prayers were mighty in deed. "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." 

We should take heart and hope, even in these incredibly difficult, divisive, toxic, painful, uncertain troubled times that we are able to go to the throne of the Lord, that Jesus Christ goes before us as our mediator to the God of the Universe; and that our prayers are heard. 

Friend, as we conclude, make we seek to be more like Jesus, may we turn more often to Jesus and may Jesus be enough. 

***Look for blog updates in early November ( a prayer for the nation the first week of November) and then our advent study. Coming right after Thanksgiving. 

Worship: Good to me

James 5:7-11

 Oh how I love this passage. It is both passionate, convicting and encouraging. 

Be patient...until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits, being patient until the early and late rains...you also be patient, establish your hearts!

In Palestine there are early and late rains one coming in March/April signaling the time to plant and one coming later between Oct/November signaling the time for harvest. This picture is a beautiful one, and encouraging one, and a very poignant reminder. 

Perhaps it is because I live across the street from an Amish farmer, but we get to see this beautiful cyclical pattern played out year after year. This year was quite beautiful and even emotional; because despite the world being "shut-down" due to covid- come late March early April the mule team slowly walked down the road, turned down the field and began to plow the soil. It was unaware of the turmoil, it was doing what has been done for centuries- as the soil warmed the planting began. It reminded me of God's promise in Genesis 8 that there will always be a seed time and harvest while the earth remains. As the world went mad I had the beautiful reminder of God's word since the time of Noah. 

Farmers do not harvest mid-season either. There would be no fruit, and what fruit there is would not be good for the eating or useful for food or recipes. The yield would be small and the work half-finished. So he waits. He watches, he works diligently, weeding and checking, watering and nourishing. 

So we too sister, must learn to be patient until the coming of the Lord. We must establish our hearts in the Lord- by being stewards of His Word, and women of prayer and patience and steadfastness!

James gives example of the prophets who remained steadfast (think perhaps of Jeremiah, the weeping prophet) and Job who through steadfast endurance was able to see the mighty hand of God at the end.

May we too, learn to be faithful, patient and steadfast. In days and times like the ones we have, especially right now, significantly right now with tensions high with school and Covid and an election looming- where is your hope? Where is your faith? Be a testimony of the purpose of the Lord and how he is compassionate and merciful.

James 5:11 discusses the wishy washy one. Simply put- be a woman of your word because you represent the Word. Do not swear by heaven or earth- let your yes be yes, and your no be no and allow your actions to be a manifestation of your faithfulness and trustworthiness. 

We finish James tomorrow. There has been so much to learn. So much to consider. And so much truth for such a time as this. Let our lives be lived out a pleasing aroma to the Lord- for He is worthy of all praise. 

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

James 5:1-7

 James 5:1-7

We are in the home stretch of our study this week. I am excited to be able to wrap this up and have time to press on into James privately. It is good to not just be hearers but doers of the word! Are there changes based on the study of James you feel are needed in your life? If so have you made a plan on how to do it? Or started praying about courage to do it? Or shared with someone else the desire to walk towards Christ in that manner?

James 5:1-7 Is a call to repentance and a sobering reminder that Christ is coming again. Weep and howl are two of the words used towards the rich. It is easy to assume that this is talking about "the others," but the truth of the matter is you are most likely included in this bracket. We, who live in America, are incredibly blessed. But with the blessing of freedom and homes and food and health care, we can easily forget that we have are needs met every day. We are among the rich. James is reminding us, yet again, to not be lured into our hope in worldly pleasure; for God sees all things and knows all things about us. 

He hears the "labors in the field crying out" and he sees the unfair wages. "You have lived on the earth in luxury and self-indulgence." Eek. Taking a look at our own lives, is this our ultimate desire? Comfort? Pleasure? Happiness? Are we in all things able to find comfort and joy? 

Verse 6  You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. The language is strong but its coming from a Pastor who is giving a warning and a plea. Repent! For Christ is coming again. Do we live in such a way that should Christ return we are eyes fixed with hopeful anticipation? Patient in affliction, being perfected by the trials that come? Or would we be found numb to the things of the Lord worshiping the fattened calf of worldly treasure not only not waiting for Christ but wishing he would tary a bit longer, because we simply love the things of this world? 

May today we repent of this mindset and press on with steadfastness and hope in the One who is to come!

James 4:13-17

 This passage, is why I wanted to study this book with a group. There is so much packed in here, that is so relevant to 2020.

...yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a midst that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

James has already touched on this as e read of being a blade of grass or a flower that perishes in the wind. This is incredibly humbling. We are here today and gone tomorrow yet like as reckless immortals during our time on earth. I wonder at times, how much American fountain of life pursuing, false thoughts and self-love has crept into our biblical theology? 2020 is the perfect time and place to access it. This year- NO ONE could have planned, yet the Lord deemed it so. How have we responded? Temper tantrums, devastation to cancelled plans? Irritations that our expected norms are now no longer? Pleas, cries and demands of our self needs and expectations being met- and met now or else? Or else what I ask? Have we not read, are we not told, was it not written thousands of years ago...we do not know what tomorrow will bring. 

Tomorrow, may not come for some of us reading this. A very sobering reality but one we should think on none the less. If we read this believing the Word for the truth that it presents; we might realign our entire life, our entire way of thinking. If we are not living for eternal matters- that being Christ, then I beg to ask- are we living at all? Or have we found ourselves grasping at wind and wasting our midst here on earth?

What do we spend the most time on? Planning for tomorrow? Or that vacation, or that expectation 1 year, 2 years or 3 years from now? I write this because I have been there, and I have been stuck there, not in 2020 but in years past; where I thought we had a neatly lined up 3 year plan, that we would live here, and then move there and then attend such and such- and when it didn't happen- I was devastated. Like, deep, sorrow-filled devastation that all of MY plans would not be. Read that again...MY plans.With my mouth I would have declared God's sovereignty but with my life I expected it to match up with my wants and desires. Especially when we think what we want is good or honorable. Yet- until we live this way "Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that," we will never have peace and hope in Christ- it will always be in our circumstance and situation. We will miss the JOY of the trials because we are pouting/angry/anxiety filled about unmet expectations. 

Chapter 4 concludes with this, "As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

2020. The year of shock. The year no one was expecting and the year we were all faced with the truth that we arrogantly boast in what is yet to come. We have had several trips cancelled. Family we could not see, even "good things," not come. How could this be, right? We must learn to trust an unknown future to our known God. To learn to delight in His ways and trust with confidence that His ways are higher than our ways, and His ways are for our eternal joy and His eternal glory; not necessarily our earthly happiness. How can we change our way of thinking that we get out of this boasting in arrogance? I am reminded of our Philippians study, in which we read Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things. Let us learn to fill our hearts and minds and hands with these good things from the Lord, to take today in its fullness and live it out with devotion and obedience and love for the One who holds tomorrow. <3

James 4:11-12

 Finishing our sermon today- and then finishing out chapter 4 in our regular study method tomorrow. 

-We are sinners in the hands of an angry God. If we see our sins righting  weeping would be the right response. When is the last time we wept over our sins...if ever?

*Side note: think through your last 6 months of sermons at the church you attend; do they preach repentance, do they use the words sin or do they use less "offensive words," as not to make you feel guilty. Sister, if you are not in a church that preaches repentance, sin and the truth of God's wrath yet also God's salvation, pray that you can find a Pastor who will teach and preach truth.

-Without the weight of sin we cannot feel the weight of grace.

Charles Simmeon Quote:

-Do we have flippant attitudes of sin? Only the humble is exulted. 

-Sting of condemnation leads to the greater grace God gives!

V11-12

- Don't criticize one another. * if we are being honest this is one of the biggest pitfalls in a church family. The quickness to judge. And media is giving us the platform to do it back handily with blurred vague postings rather than conformity to loving each other as Christ commands.

-Our world is extremely judgmental. Our society is built on success and judges those who do not fit in. 

-But we are to view each other as sons and daughters of God. 

DON"T CRITICIZE ONE ANOTHER

*it bears worth mentioning this is in reference to neutral morality standards- NOT when/if we see a brother/sister purposefully sinning and making choices that goes against biblical commands and teachings. Yet even in that approaching should be done in love. It also should be noted, this verse is taken out of context A LOT when people criticize false teaching within the church. It will be quoted saying don't criticize me...but  a false teacher, a wolf in sheep clothing, does NOT fit this teaching. This is reserved for the side glances given to those who are within their liberties (think...choosing to trick or treat, piercings, tattoos, style of worship music, certain beverage choices, etc etc.)

-We should rejoice in the evidence of grace we see in one another

-Prideful people only see faults in other people.

-Jesus warns...do not become a judge of the law. The royal law in James 2:4 love your neighbor as yourself. We must not put burdens on others that are no where in the Bible, lest we become judges of the law. And that friend, is a very dangerous place to be. 

In Conclusion: Let us love one another with brotherly affection! Let us be humble, not prideful, seeking to encourage one another in the love of Jesus Christ. May we weep over our sins as we see them in light of the goodness of our Savior and may we experience even yet today the beauty of the grace of God. He is the Giver of greater grace. We are so deeply loved. 

James 4:7-10

 We did the story of John Newton for VBS this year.( We used this material from Bible Visuals International) It was pretty remarkable. I remember listening to this last quote and the sermon picks up here today: Although my memory is fading I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

Oh how life would change should we cling to these two simple statements. 

Point #3

Redefining repentance

James connects our repentance to the Gospel. Therefore submit to Him. 

-Repentance:have a change of mind.

       -in light of what He has done submission is not a loss but a gain.

       -LOOK: Resist the devil and draw near to God. Do I recognize the spiritual war around me.

-The devil is seeking to kill and destroy through the toxic aroma of sin. What could that look like in my life? Social media, mindless entertainment, self obsessive needs, addiction?

-Ephesians 6: Resist the devil by taking hold of the full armor of God! 

***suit up sister! Spend more time dressing for the battle at hand and in the Lord then dressing for the day and the culture***

-Draw near to God...Draw near to God!!! Can't kill sin unless you are dwelling in the matchless majesty of God's grace.

-Can fall into the counterfeit beauty of the world if not drawn into the dazzling beauty of God.

-Ordinary means of grace: His word, prayer, fellowship. the gathering with believers and preaching of the Word, the Lord's supper. These are all ordinary means to his extraordinary grace!

-If not drawing near to God, Satan will devour you- He is a roaring lion seeking who he may devour.

-Stop sinning and purify your hearts.

-You cannot live with one foot in hell and one in heaven. 

***Do we take God seriously?***

-Repentance is ultimately about joy. If I am miserable in my Christian life than I need to look at my heart not my circumstances.

v 9-10 Be miserable...humble yourself before the Lord and He will exalt you.

 -the age of Self esteem is not helping anyone, we have become our own measuring sticks rather than Christ!

John Calvin said " Cannot attain full knowledge without contemplating the face of God.

As we wrap up this section tomorrow, there has been some very serious question, and points made. Take the time this week to ponder the face of God, and asks ourselves do I allow the Word to be my measurement and joy or the World?

Worship: Not in Me

James 4:5-6

 Please follow the link and pick up there sermon at minute 25:00-37:00 today( Sermon entitled "Faith in the World"). Hopefully the notes/outline will help you write/journal/study/respond to the passage today <3

James 4:5-6

Rev. 18:19 - World system described as 'Babylon," God does away with it. 

- Why would we chose to be sympathetic to a world and ways that are anti-God? Are there areas in our lives that we do this?

-Jesus took on our spiritual adultery on the cross- we are able to be reconciled to God because of this.

V5- Do you think....

-Original Greek very difficult. In context the best understanding would be considering also Exodus 20:5

    God is jealous for His people. James contrasts bitter envy (chapters 3 and 4) to what we read as seeing God is envious for us. He is the faithful husband who wants our hearts, His bride.

-Oh that we would yearn for Him the way we do for the temporal things of this world. 

*Worldliness is the heart set on anything but God...What is my heart set upon???

#2) V6 Understand Grace

-He gives greater grace. Hod is not stingy. He does not hoard His resources. James says this repeatedly. Consider 1:5; 1:17.

*Grace- us getting what we do not deserve. -Eternal life, forgiveness, His righteousness, adoption, heaven, Himself!

-God gives greater grace- continually! 

-Goal of Christianity is not to be great people but to love our great God.

-Grace is not just the way in but how we experience our relationship with God. By Grace through Faith in Christ!!!    

    Examples: Forgiveness of repeated sin, giving of self and time, brink of temptation

-Let us develop lives soaked in the Greater Grace

-Gospel fuels and empowers our lives

God resist the proud by gives grace to the humble. 

--Who are the proud? Those who think like the world. The "self" seekers, thinkers, etc. 

-Luke 18:9-14