James 5 - 6.30.23

Scripture

James 5:7

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 

Observation

During my senior year of high school I worked on a farm, re-roofing some old buildings. Every day I showed up to work, the farmer was already out in his fields dripping sweat. And as the sun was setting and I was packing up for the day, he was often still out there, working tirelessly. Day after day, his bank account didn’t see a single deposit. He didn’t get to enjoy a single ear of buttered corn. Why keep working so hard and so faithfully? Because he knew the harvest was certain.

James says that we should be laboring in the Lord faithfully, patiently and confidently awaiting his appearing. Just as the harvest comes for the farmer, the moment will come when Jesus returns and we will receive the fruits of our labor for the Lord, an eternal inheritance.

Application

Keep laboring, the Lord is coming soon.

In the busyness of life and all the day-to-day activities, it can be easy to lose sight of Heaven and Jesus’ return. Even in ministry there are times we find ourselves going through the motions instead of laboring out of genuine love for God, with his coming in mind. And, when you lose sight of the harvest, or Heaven, it can be tempting to abandon the work when you get tired.

Prayer

God, please help me to live in light of heaven. Make us so eternally minded that we would labor faithfully today. Regardless of the fruit we see now, we know 1 Corinthians 15:58 that says “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

2 Timothy 4:8

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Like Paul, may we continually long for your appearing. And like James encourages us, may we labor with confidence and patience. Come, Lord Jesus. Come. Amen.

-Levi Thompson

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