“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20 Those final verses in James have haunted me now for a few…
Book Study: James, Part VIII
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16b Think of a time when you desperately needed God’s direction or intervention. Sometimes, we use the phrase “I’m praying really hard!” for someone or something. Sometimes we might want something so bad, it consumes us and we might miss other things God has for…
Book study: James, Part VII
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 Last spring, I had the opportunity to take a ladies class on prayer. Having accepted Christ as a child, I have been praying for many years now! Although I have been praying for decades, I realized I am still learning and growing…
Book Study: James Part VI, Taming the Tongue: Self-Talk
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.” James 3:9 Do you struggle when you hear gossip? (Please see Taming the Tongue, Part I, posted February 19, 2012.) Do you struggle with holding your own tongue? (Please see Taming the Tongue…
Book Study: James, Part V
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for…
Book Study: James, Part IV
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 How easy it is to attend church on Sunday, sit there in the pew, feeling rather righteous. “I’m here, I’ve done what I should”, mentality. How easy it is to get back to doing things my way on…
Book Study: James, Part III
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1: 19-20 Great advice! Hard to follow, at least sometimes. I did not grow up knowing Scripture. When I read…
Book Study: James, Part II
“When tempted, no one should say “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Jame 1:13-14 God does not tempt us. But, He does allow temptation to occur. We need…
Book Study: James, Part I
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith developes perseverance. perseverance must complete its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 I have decided on a book study: James. I have studied this…
First Things First
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning it’s shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 As I have been adjusting to the new autumn schedule, I realized in order to exercise, I…