James 3 - 5.21.26

S: James 3:9-12

“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. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

O: It is quite crazy, and slightly alarming, how easily we can live with and utilize something for most of our lives and so easily forget it’s depth of power. This passage from James 3 shakes us all awake to the power of our tongues & the impact of our words. We can praise the Lord then curse God’s beloved child with malicious words. We can exhort someone publicly, but then from the same mouth slander them privately. As the scripture says, “this should not be.”

Part of being representatives and disciples of Christ is understanding more the power that Christ has THROUGH each part of our design when we act in His will and rooted in His wisdom. A fig tree is meant to bear the fruit it was designed to bear, figs. Just as our mouths and tongues should bear righteous fruit as they were inherently designed to do, words flowing from the root system of wisdom and the purity of God’s love as talked about later in James 3. To acknowledge where our tongues have power to destroy, also helps us come into alignment with the realization of where our tongues have the power to build up and exhort others. Our words have power and we can strive to steward that part of our design for the bettering of the spaces we are in.

A: As I read this verse, it was easy to reflect, in shame, for the moments where my words have not been uplifting but rather have been the spark for a destructive wildfire. When this shame or guilt arises, I am encouraged by God’s grace and the gift we have of repentance. Through repentance we can see more clearly what God has for us going forward. When we actively turn from our actions and where we’ve fallen short, then turning TOWARDS truth and how to live more aligned to what God asks of us, we can take accountability for where we need to apologize for a misuse of our tongue and words. I encourage you to reflect and turn towards repentance in the areas where you have seen yourself use your words carelessly. We all need to do this and be encouraged knowing that in the process of learning to live a better steward of our tongues - God loves us and there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

Additionally, take the measure of accountability and ownership for where you have fallen short. Apologies and ownership are our responsibility when we have misused our tongue. When we do so, we are making more space for connection and learning as we aim to steward speech and its power well. Finally, seek to see the beloved in those around you. In verse 9 it names those we speak to as those in “God’s likeness.” Ask the Lord to reveal encouragement and give you a sightline that aligns with His will for His children around you. See how the Lord gives you a fresh wind when you open up your heart to receive His perspective! Then, go act on it! Go tell people what God sees in them and utilize your tongue for encouragement. One of my life scriptures is Hebrews 3:13: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Your encouragement and words have the power to soften people’s heart to God’s presence. How amazing!

P: Father, I love you and love the way YOU speak to ME. Thank you for your words that are like honey to my soul. Thank you for the direction you have created for my lifestyle that is covered in your grace and love. Thank you for your mercies that are new every morning - help me to live a life faithful to stewarding the power of the tongue well. I turn from the desire to do the opposite and ask for your help in taking accountability and apologizing to those I have hurt. I love you God, thank you for loving me first. Amen.

- Tess Schrupp

James 2 - 5.20.26

Scripture

James 2:18

But someone will say, "you have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

Observation

If we are Christ followers, it should be evident to those around us. As we grow more and more like Christ, our actions will reflect our faith. 

Application

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

But neither can we earn our salvation through good works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

Instead, our actions should flow naturally from our love for God. 

James 2:22 (referring to Abraham) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Because Jesus loves people, we should love people. Because we are forgiven, we should forgive. Because God gives us direction, we should obey. Because God is generous to us, we should be generous with others. Because we are growing in Christ, the fruit of the spirit should be evident in our lives. 

Prayer

Lord, you are continually reminding me that if I will just put my focus on following You with my whole heart, other things will fall into place. As I allow you to change my heart, your presence and your love will flow out of me and onto those around me. Please work on me and through me today. 

- Debbie Dunn

James 1 - 5.19.26

SCRIPTURE:  James 1:2 – 4

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

OBSERVATION

Many consider the author of this book to be Jesus’ half-brother, James. Some commentaries say verses 2 – 12 deal with the temptations that God can use to produce Christ-likeness in our life. Later in verses 13 – 17 the temptations are the “un-holy temptations” that come from sin.

Trials and temptations come in various forms and situations. James says, in verse 2, that “whenever” you encounter trials - not an “if” but “whenever.” Trials are inevitable.

APPLICATION

I can safely say that everyone reading this has encountered some sort of trial in their life. Personally, I’ve encountered many life altering events at different times in my life. Some early trials began when I was maybe 4 or 5 when my mom’s boyfriend held me hostage. Then when I was around 7 years old, the courts took me away from my mom. While under their care, I was molested and lived in the foster care system for several years. Afterwards I had emotional seizures from all the trauma. Then several years after returning home to my mom, she was severely burned in a fire she started when, during an OD of prescription drugs, she fell asleep smoking and caught her bed on fire. She spent about 6 months in the hospital with 2nd and 3rd degree burns, almost died several times, and then had many years learning to walk and function. All of this took place by the time I was 12 - 13 years old. Thankfully Jesus had his hand on my life, the Gospel was shared with me and I asked Jesus into my life shortly before she was burned.

No one can say they have “joy” in the moment a trial begins, however, when we understand the trial can produce perseverance and wisdom, then joy can follow. When a trial begins, is easy for our flesh to creep in and cause worry, not trusting Jesus, or even being angry at God. There have been too many times I’ve allowed the fear to creep in, but God is gracious when I’ve run back to him asking forgiveness. Always remember in the moment of crisis is a choice on how to respond. You can choose God’s direction, protection from something worse, and lean into the Lord or go in the opposite direction. Recognizing the trial can strengthen you will change your entire perspective. It can be a source of motivation and strength.

One small word in this section of scripture was the key of understanding for me about my own attitude towards trials. I can either “let” the trials work in my life or not take that step. The word “let” implies an action on our part. It’s a conscious choice to “let” endurance work with the end results of perseverance, wisdom and maturity. On the other hand, a choice can be made to:

Rebel against them, lose heart or give up - Hebrews 12:5 - “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you.”

Grumble or complain - 1 Corinthians 10:10 - “And do not grumble, as some of them did.”

In choosing to rebel, lose heart, grumble or complain, you can guarantee to have more trials in your life. God desires to mold you to be more like Christ. Each trial and tribulation brings you one step closer to being more Christ-like – that’s if you make the choice to “let” the process mold you.

In Hebrews 12:11 we see what trials also produce  – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” The important part to this particular Scripture is the “harvest of righteousness and peace” are for those “who have been trained by it.”  Again, it’s a choice on our part to allow the trails to shape, mold, and train us to be more like Christ so we can have righteousness and peace.

Trials can also deepen our trust in God. We can witness His faithfulness in bringing us through the trial or we can allow bitterness to creep in which fuels anger against God. I could have chosen to be a bitter person from all that happened in my early life. Instead, those trails caused me to praise Him for His faithfulness. It’s all in the choices we make. Just like God gives us the choice to choose salvation through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we have the choice to let the trials of life bring us closer to Jesus. If we choose to accept the trial’s end result, we can then “consider it all joy” because our faith can grow, we can become stronger, and ultimately be complete lacking in nothing through Jesus.

PRAYER

Lord, I commit my life to you. You are my savior! Thank you for being there with me through all the trials and tribulations in life. Forgive me for the times when I’ve been weak and struggled through some trials. Although trials can be difficult, I take comfort knowing you will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8).  With you by my side, I know these trials can be used to strengthen me for your service. Guide me through each event so I can show others about Jesus in my life and glorify your name. I’m so thankful for all of the trials in my life. I consider them joy as you’ve helped me to persevere, and I lack in nothing in you. Praise your mighty name, Jesus!  Amen

- Mary Oberg