JAMES

Jas 5 POWER OF PRAYER
Saturday, March 5, 2022.

Jas 5:20  

Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins: if someone has wandered from the truth of the Gospel and is brought back to faith, he will be saved from eternal death  and a multitude of future sins.

Application: we mustn’t give up hope in the salvation of our love ones, who have turned away from God. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective Jas 5:16. When the prodigal has no interest in hearing about Jesus, we must use prayer to intercede for his or her salvation. Remember that God desires no one to be lost, but for all to come to know Him 2 Pe 3:9.

PRODIGAL

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Jas 4 INTIMACY WITH GOD
Friday, March 4, 2022.

Jas 4:8   

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded: the Holy Spirit places the desire to know God and He tells us how to have an intimate relationship. We are to draw near to God by first repenting of our sins both on the inside and then through our actions on the outside.

Application: God called us double-minded and wants us to be single-minded—desiring His will only. We are to die to selfish pleasures and live to please the Lord. When our heart changes we will experience God’s presence and His intimacy.

WONDERFUL TO ME

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Jas 3 CONTROLLING THE TONGUE
Thursday, March 3, 2022.

Jas 3:2 

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check: James described the untameable tongue as set on fire by hell, itself Jas 3:6. Controlling the tongue really has to do with our hearts where evil is stored. Our tongues only speak what is in our belief system. In order to prevent us from stumbling, we must carefully analyse our actions and recognize which ones originate from our selfish desires.

Application: Godly wisdom begins with a humble heart seeking God’s glory rather than selfish ambition. It desires to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and makes adjustments to selfish thinking. It is slow to anger and strong in self-control, setting a good example for other believers to imitate.

HE LIVES IN YOU

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Jas 2 FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

Jas 2:25  

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? What I find interesting here is the Rahab was considered righteous for her actions. James’ point is that faith had to be combined with works to prove genuine faith. If works were lacking, so was faith. However, my inquire is more about Rahab’s actions. She gave lodging to the spies and lied to the king’s men Jos 2:6. Is lying justified, regardless of the motive. I believe Jesus gave us the answer. The Jews were to circumcise their baby boys on the eighth day, and if it fell on the Sabbath, the priests would perform the work by breaking the Sabbath rest  Jn 7:22,23. Jesus broke the Sabbath rule also by healing on this day, but told the Jewish leaders to judge correctly Jn 7:24. When two rules came into conflict with each other, the greater rule should be obeyed. Jesus kept the Sabbath laws, but when it came to healing a person, this act was more righteous than sustaining from working.

Application: Rahab chose the greater good—to place her dependency on God. Her actions proved her faith. Her deception saved the lives of the spies and brought her salvation.

Abraham was told to sacrifice his son Gen 22:2, yet God punished Cain for murdering his brother Gen 4:11,12. Abraham placed faith in God by his willingness to obey the order to kill, believing God could resurrect his son, if he had to follow through on God’s command Heb 11:17,18,19.

I WILL TRUST

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Jas 1 DOER OF THE WORD
Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Jas 1:22  

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says: God wants His people to be doers of the Word and not just hearers. A person that merely listens to the Word is fooling himself in believing that he has God’s approval. One has God’s approval if he does the Father’s will Mt 12:50, not just listen to His words.

Application: James used the illustration of a person looking into a mirror and then goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. A person who sits through a sermon and hears the message 2 Ti 3:16, yet fails to put into practice the truth is better off staying home, for God will say to this type of person, “I never knew you.” Mt 7:23.

LET ME LIVE

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