James 5-8.29.22
Scripture
James 5:5 NLT
“You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this chapter, James warns the rich over their love of money. James rebukes the rich for hoarding their riches, investing in meaningless material things that corrode and rot away over time, and the ruthless ways they cheated others to obtain their riches. Judgement is upon them! How they utilized the riches they obtained will determine how they will be judged.
Understanding-What does it mean?
How am I utilizing God’s blessings?
When it’s all said and done and we meet God face to face, He is going to hold us each accountable for what we did with His blessings. Will God care if I purchased that nice house on the hills? Will God care if I bought that fancy sports car? Will God really care if I sent my kids to that Ivy League University? Ultimately, I’m going to have to answer to God regarding how I managed what He blessed me with here on earth and how I used it to build His Kingdom and glorify His name. Did I use it to collect and hoard material things? Did I keep it all to myself? Or did I share it with the world to bring glory and honor to His name?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” -Matthew 6:19-21
Life Application
Use your blessings to be a blessing.
We all have different gifts and blessings that God has given us. For some of us, it may be our finances. For some, it may be a heart of encouragement and for others it may be wisdom from life’s experiences. Whatever the case may be, we all have something to offer others in their time of need, so why not share it with the world? Use the opportunity and platform God has given you to share and show His love today.
-Moses Gaddi
Psalm 59 - 8.26.22
Scripture
Psalm 59:9-10
You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
Observation – What does it say?
David writes this Psalm when the king had sent men to his house to kill him. He finds out they are on their way and though he’s alarmed, somewhere in the timeline David breaks away to cry out to God for help and to write this prayer song to God.
He not only asks God to deliver him, but as he often did in times like these, he makes a faith declaration. He speaks out what he knows about God – God provides strength, security, and is a God he can rely on to come through. And then David chooses to allow that knowledge about God’s character to inform how he feels about his situation, how he will think about the situation, and how he will behave in the situation.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Allow what I know about God to determine my response to difficult times.
David said, “I watch for you.” He wasn’t the type to ask God for something and then run off and forget about it. He asked, knowing God would come through and so he watched for the answer to his prayer with faith and expectation.
I realize that what I know about God doesn’t always translate to my actions. I can sometimes cry out to God for help and then walk away wondering how things will turn out. That shows I obviously wasn’t putting much stock in those prayers being answered! Sometimes, though I know God is faithful, still doubt if he’ll come through. Though I know he is good and he always sees me through, I sometimes still get anxious and afraid.
Life Application – What will I do about it?
God, have mercy on me! Please forgive me for the times that I’ve allowed my circumstances to determine my feelings and thoughts, instead of you. You have come through for me again, and again, and again. I’ve faced countless challenges and you have never failed me. You have nothing left to prove. I know you’re faithful. I know you’re with me. I know you’re for me. Please help me to allow that knowledge to translate to walking in greater peace, trusting you even when situations seem impossible, watching with faith and expectation for you to answer prayer, and obeying you quickly and without hesitation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
- Levi Thompson
James 3 -08.25.22
SCRIPTURE: James 3:2 TPT
“We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed.”
OBSERVATION:
An instruction book for the Christian Life—and as Pastor Levi termed his series, “Our Faith LOOKS like Something”.
UNDERSTANDING:
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones but WORDS will NEVER hurt me”.
This was a popular saying when I was a child. Have you ever heard something so FILLED with LIES?
I’m 66 yrs old and I still remember hurtful things spoken to me when I was 9 yrs old. Words in fact Hurt! Sometimes we pretend they don’t. This is like putting a bandage on a dirty wound. It will fester and become diseased—causing more damage.
But, WORDS can also—BUILD UP!
a small word of encouragement OR a simple compliment can lift a person’s soul in a way that few other things can.
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23 KJV)
Here, James explains that our tongues are a “test” of our Maturity.
James proceeds to teach about the tongue’s power direct with an analogy of a horse’s bit and a Ship’s rudder.
When we put a small bit into a horse’s mouth we can turn the whole animal. Try to control a 1200 lb. thoroughbred horse without a bit and there may be a serious problem. Yet, put a simple small one pound bit in the mouth of that same horse—and you can direct the horse to go where you want it to go.
The same goes for the rudder of a Ship. Although Ships are massive and driven by strong winds—they are steered by a very small rudder.
So, the tongue is very small—like a bit in a horse’s mouth and a rudder on a Ship—AND it has GREAT POWER to steer not only our lives- but the lives of those around us who are impacted by our words.
“The tongue has the Power of LIFE and DEATH, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
LIFE APPLICATION:
James tells us in 3:8 that it is impossible for us to “tame” our tongues. Our ability to control our words must start in our heart.
“People are known in this same way.
Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit.
Likewise, out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil.
For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart
will be seen by your fruit AND
will be HEARD in your WORDS.” (Luke 6:45 TPT)
Lord Jesus,
I pray YOU will cleanse my heart and continue to grow me to maturity. Your Word promises YOU will complete the good work YOU began in me. May I be fully submitted to the process. Lord, I pray good and wholesome words used for edifying others will come from me. Forgive me Lord for any time I have spoken out of turn or have offended YOU for speaking anything unpleasing YOU. May my Heart be wholly Yours. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka