James 4 - 06.29.23
SCRIPTURE: James 4:13-15 NLT
“Look here, you who say,
“Today or Tomorrow—
we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year.
We will do business there—and make a profit.”
How do you know—what your life will be like—tomorrow?
Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while—then it’s gone.
What you ought to say is, “If—the Lord wants us to—we will live—
and do this or that.””
OBSERVATION:
This statement that James makes is reminiscent of the Parable that Jesus shared about the Farmer who had the bumper crop (Luke 12:16). His barns were too small-so he decided to build Bigger Barns so he could have Greater “security” for the Future.
“And I will say to myself, “You have MANY goods STORED up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!” ’”
(Luke 12:19 NASB)
But, God’s reply to this man’s Boasting was:
“You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you”
(Luke 12:20 NASB)
APPLICATION:
INVEST in Those Things that are ETERNAL.
Life seems long and we measure it in years—but in comparison to eternity—Life is a—vapor.
Since Life is SO brief—and God-alone has marked our time—
We cannot afford to waste our lives—We Must Invest our Lives in His Eternal Kingdom.
““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NASB)
When the Rich Young Ruler came to encounter Jesus with the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal Life?” Jesus told him, “… Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then— come, FOLLOW—ME.”” (Luke 18:22 NIV)
It is Important to understand that it’s not a prerequisite for all believers to “Go out and sell everything” to follow Jesus. What Jesus understood about this “Rich Young Ruler” is that his riches— “Ruled” him. Jesus was inviting him to “Lay down the earthly treasure that he “worshipped”—for lasting treasure.
To receive an Eternal Treasure by Following Jesus as Savior and Lord.
PRAYER:
LORD Jesus,
As I ponder Your Word Today, I am asking myself if anything “has Rule over” me. I pray nothing will take Your rightful place as Number One-My Resource, Provider, My Sovereign Lord. I surrender all to You, Today. May I seek Your Will First in all I do. Everything I have belongs to You—including my time here on earth. I pray I hear Your voice and am quick to respond. Thank You for your Holy Spirit-Your Promise for Wisdom, Strength, and Power to do Your Will. Here I am Lord, send me. Amen.
“God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases HIM.” (Philippians 2:13 TPT)
Tina L Kudelka
James 3 - 6.28.23
Scripture
James 3:6-10
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Observation
James speaks about our words and how it could either harm others or bring them to life.
I thought verse 7 was interesting when it said that many different creatures have been tamed by mankind, but how no human being could tame the tongue. We definitely need the Holy Spirit to tame our tongue!
Application
Use our words to heal, instead of hurt.
The old saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” holds true, even Scripturally. There’s a verse in Proverbs 17:28 that says, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise.” Words also have the power to heal. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
None of us have to be taught how to use our words to complain, gossip, say inappropriate things or harm/destroy others. (Sadly, we ALL know how to do that.) So, what are some wise things we can do with our words instead? We can pray and worship. We can memorize Scripture. We can honor others above ourselves. We can speak life, encouragement and comfort to someone who is feeling down. We can invite friends to church and to a relationship with Jesus.
What are we going to do differently with our words today? How will using our words wisely change what we post or not post on social media? How will it change our daily lives and how we relate to our spouses, family/friends, supervisors and even what we speak over ourselves?
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
I admit that I need Your help to control my heart, mind and what comes out of my mouth since Your Word says, “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matthew 12:34) Help me to always think before I speak and to focus on what You would say instead of what I want to say, especially in hard moments. May I use my words to encourage, comfort and speak life instead of death over others and myself. May I always point others to You Jesus, through what I say. In Your name I pray, Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
James 2 - 6.27.23
SCRITPURE: James 2:14,15 "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?"
OBSERVATION: James, the half-brother of Jesus, and the lead pastor in Jerusalem agreed with the apostle Paul that a person is saved by grace through faith, and works do not contribute to salvation. But James went on to stress that genuine faith will eventually produce good works, as it did in the lives of Abraham and Rahab.
APPLICATION: I pray I will not judge others according to my own standards because God alone knows the condition of every heart and the reason behind our actions. If I have true faith in God good works will follow, and it will demonstrate my genuine love for Him.
PRAYER: I pray my love for God will continually grow, and that the evidence of my love for Him will bring forth much fruit and good works produced by faith. One of the marks of a true believer is how I help the poor and under-privileged, so I pray that I will use my resources wisely as I willingly and cheerfully meet the needs of others. I pray as I read God's Word that I will be a doer of His Word, not just a hearer, " Because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works - this person will be blessed in what he does." ( James 1:25).
Lord, thank You for all You have given me! I pray You will help me to be a good listener of Your Word, and that I will apply it, and practice it daily as I serve You with good works - simply because of my great love for You.
- Robin Orefice