James 4 - 5.29.24

Scripture

You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:2b-3)

Observation

God is our provider, our source and our helper. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said, "Ask and you shall receive" (Luke 11:9, Matthew 7:7). Here James tells us that we don't have something that we desire because we have not asked God. But then, maybe we have asked and still not received. Why is that? It is because God looks at our heart, and weighs our motives (Prov 16:2). What is our motive in wanting what we want? If our motives are wrong, we will not receive what we ask for. When our two children were growing up, my husband and I wouldn't say "yes" to everything they asked for. It was not because we did not love them. It was because we loved them. We would say yes only to those things that would benefit them, and would be good for them. God is our Father. When we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, our desires will align to his "good and acceptable and perfect will" for us (Romans 12:2).  Then, when we ask what we desire, He will do it for us (John 15:7). The Bible says that when we ask anything according to his will, we know that He hears us, and when we know that He has heard us, we know that we have also received whatever we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14,15).

Application

If you really need something and don't have it, check if you have prayed for it. As a child of God prayer is always your first resort, not your last resort. If you have been asking God for something, and not received it, check your heart and your motives. If your motives are not correct, repent and correct your heart. Make sure you are asking with the right motives that pleases God, and that it is in line with God’s word. Then, draw near to your Father’s throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) and present your request to Him with Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Ask in faith, knowing that your Father hears you and answers you. Jesus said that if you ask anything in prayer, believing that you have received it, you will have it (Mark 11:24).

Prayer

Father, I thank you because I am your child and you are not short of resources to provide for my needs. I thank you because every good and perfect gift comes from you (James 1:17). Show me where I have incorrect motives, so that I can correct myself. Search me, God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalms 139:23,24). I thank you because I will never lack anything because you are my Shepherd (Psalms 23:1). I will ask in faith, and will receive from you because you are faithful. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

James 3 - 5.28.24

SCRIPTURE:  James 3:7-9  "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing, My brothers and sisters, this should not be."  

OBSERVATION:  The writer of this letter was Paul.  His focus was on how faithful Christians were speaking about other human beings made in God's image. The Book of Proverbs teaches us that, 'the tongue has the power of life and death."  Words have so much influence that they can cause a person's entire life to change, for good or for bad!  

APPLICATION:  God's Word teaches us that our tongues are small, but they are capable of wreaking great havoc!  As sinful human beings, our tongues are untamable.  The ONLY way we are able to over-come the temptation to speak unkind words towards or about someone is to ask for God's wisdom, and to depend on His Holy Spirit to guide us.  A prayer that I often pray is for God to guide my actions AND my reactions.  

I remember the night the Good News was shared with me, and how it not only changed my heart, it changed the entire course of my life!  The words that were shared lifted me out of the deep dark depression I was in, and those powerful words that were prayed over my life brought forgiveness, healing, deliverance, redemption, clarity, focus, inner joy, and a deep abiding peace that I experience to this very day since those precious ministers of God introduced me to Jesus, and led me in the sinners prayer.

PRAYER:  Lord, I thank You for helping me to tame my tongue.  When I have been tempted to go off on someone, it was You Who helped to control it!  

Justin Eaves has made a powerful impact in my life!  He taught me how to speak life over people.  He taught me to look for the gold in them!  That teaching has made such a difference in my life because now when I'm with others, I don't try to find their flaws, but I focus on discovering the gold that's in them!  

That's exactly what God does!  He sees us through the lens of Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the cross, Who bore ALL our sins!    God's Word is full of adjectives that describe so beautifully how He sees us, and when we read those words, we are filled with amazement and encouragement!  His loving words compel us to love Him more, and they are meant to give us the desire to live up to our new identity in Christ.  

Since I am not able to tame my tongue without God's help, I give Him permission to control it!  I pray that no corrupt talk or careless words will come out of my mouth, but only what is good for building others up, that it may give grace to those who hear.  (Ephesians 4:29).   

And, I pray that the words I choose to speak will bring hope and encouragement to others that will last a life-time!  

I release the Word of God in my life by choosing to read it, believe it, declare it, and to act on it.    Amen.

- Robin Orefice

James 2 - 5.27.24

Scripture

James‬ ‭2:14‬

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?”

Observation

James is reminding believers to practice what they are preaching. James is encouraging believers to live consistently with what they have learned in Christ Jesus. James desires that all believers mature in their faith, by living a life that not only tells others about Christ’s love, but mainly shows others Christ’s love.

Application

Actions speak louder than words.

“A person’s body that does not have a spirit is dead. It is the same with faith—faith that does nothing is dead!”-‭‭James‬ ‭2:26‬ ‭

What is the one word that people in this world use to describe Christians?..hypocrites. People think that we like to tell people how to live a more Godly life, but when it comes right down to it...we don’t even do it. We don’t even practice what we preach! And that is what James is imploring for all Christians to do. We have to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. I mean how can I say that God is number one in my life if I’m constantly putting work and recreational things over ministry and going to church? How can I say that I trust God in everything, if I don’t even trust Him enough with my finances to tithe and give back what is all His anyways? How can I call Him Lord of my life when I’m constantly saying no or not right now to the things He asks of me? Or how can I say that I love Jesus if I’m constantly doing things that I know displeases Him? We all have to honestly look ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves, “Does the way I live my life reflect Christ living inside of me?”

Prayer

Father God, I pray that my actions line up with my faith in You. May those around me know the love You have for them not only through my words, but also through the way I treat them. May You give me Your eyes to see who You want me to impact through words of encouragement and acts of kindness today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi