“You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2) - This is a call to prayer. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3) - This is a call to seek God's glory.
Tag: James
Wisdom from God, Glory to God
"“We both had dreams,” they (the butler and the baker) answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”" (Genesis 40:8). The interpretation of their dreams didn't come from Joseph. It was given to Joseph by God. There's an important …
The Problem, the Returning, the Blessing
James 5:19-20 The Problem - "if one of you should wander from the truth" The Returning - "if ... someone should bring him back" The Blessing - "Whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Does God have a message of hope for …
In our hard times
"There is a time for everything ... " (Ecclesiastes 3:1). In life, we have happy times - and we have hard times. In our happy times, we feel like we are being blessed by the Lord. We say, "Thank you, Lord, for our happy times." What happens to us when the hard times come? Do …
God’s Word calls for our response.
Ezekiel 32:1-33:20; James 1:1-27; Psalm 127:1-5 God’s Word must be spoken as a Word which calls for response. The prophet is to “warn the wicked man to turn from his ways” (Ezekiel 33:9). He is to declare that “the Sovereign Lord … takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from …
In the power of the Holy Spirit
We look at Jesus' birth. We look at His baptism. We see the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes upon Mary, and Jesus is conceived. The Holy Spirit comes upon Jesus, and His public ministry is set in motion. After Jesus' birth, Satan tries to destroy the work of God. Herod tries to do away …
The attitude of gratitude
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created" (James 1:17-18). God's Word encourages us to have …
Third Sunday of Advent – Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 (or St Luke 1:47-55); James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
Do we have faith? – Let us commit ourselves to a life of holiness. What blessings are given to those who draw near to God - ‘Your God... will come and save you’ (Isaiah 35:4). The Good News of Christ comes to us as a call to faith - ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and …
Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 35:1-6a,10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
What blessings are given to those who draw near to God! What blessings are given to those who draw near to God - ‘Your God... will come and save you’ (Isaiah 35:4). The Good News of Christ comes to us as a call to faith - ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be …
Continue reading Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 35:1-6a,10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
How can we become more on fire for the Lord?
His word is in my heart like a fire (Jeremiah 20:9). What is it that keeps the fire burning? It's the power that comes from God. It's the power of the Holy Spirit. He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and …
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We’re Heirs Of God’s Kingdom. Let’s Walk The Walk – Not Just Talk The Talk!
The gospel is to be believed - and it is to be lived. We are to hear the word of God - and we are to do the word of God. This is the message of the letter of James. We are to be practical Christians, men and women who live for Christ in our …
Continue reading We’re Heirs Of God’s Kingdom. Let’s Walk The Walk – Not Just Talk The Talk!
God speaks to us – and he’s waiting for our reply.
Ezekiel 32:1-33:20; James 1:1-27; Psalm 127:1-5 God’s Word must be spoken as a Word which calls for response. The prophet is to “warn the wicked man to turn from his ways” (Ezekiel 33:9). He is to declare that “the Sovereign Lord ... takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they …
Continue reading God speaks to us – and he’s waiting for our reply.
Responding to God’s Word (53): Lord, I’m coming home.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20). We are not to keep our faith to ourselves. …
Continue reading Responding to God’s Word (53): Lord, I’m coming home.
How do we become wise?
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). What is wisdom? Is it about how much we know? What is wisdom, if it doesn’t change the way we live our lives? We may know a lot without becoming more the …
Praying Through God’s Word: James
James 1:1-27 Lord, there seems to be nothing but hard times. What are we to do? We turn to You. We ask You, “Lord, what are You teaching us?” You’re teaching us to trust You. You’re teaching us to be changed by You. Even when everything seems so hard, help us to pray, “Your will …
Paul And James On Faith And Works
James' attack on "dead faith" (G. C. Berkouwer, Faith and Justification, 137) and his protest for faith as "a truly experienced reality" (136), which dominates the whole of life, does not conflict with Paul who speaks against the works of the law but not against the works of faith.
Even the most difficult times can have a godly effect on us.
JAMES 1:1-27 - Even the most difficult times can have a godly effect on us – when we ask God for wisdom: ‘Lord, what are You teaching me in this?’ (2-5). Humanly speaking, we may be ‘in humble circumstances’. Spiritually speaking, we are in a ‘high position’ (9). Our position is to become even higher …
Continue reading Even the most difficult times can have a godly effect on us.
More love, more prayer, more power, more peace, more joy
"Love one another" (John 13:34); "Pray for each other" (James 5:16). Jesus loves us. Jesus prays for us. If we are to follow Jesus, we will love one another and pray for one another. May the love of Jesus fill our hearts will love for one another. May the prayers of Jesus for us encourage …
Continue reading More love, more prayer, more power, more peace, more joy
Showers of blessing
Ezekiel 33:21-35:15; James 2:1-26; Psalm 128:1-6 The Word of God speaks clearly about sin and judgment – “See, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep” (Ezekiel 34:20), “judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” (James 2:13). God’s Word also gives to us great promises. …
When you’re suffering
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 (James 1:2-4). Joy and suffering: we tend to think of the two as opposites. James tells us not …
The hand of the Lord was upon me.
Ezekiel 40:1-49; James 5:1-20; Psalm 130:1-8 The prophecy spoken by Ezekiel has its ultimate Source in God Himself – “the hand of the Lord was upon me” (Ezekiel 40:1). He goes on to describe “visions of God” (Ezekiel 40:2). To speak the Word of God faithfully requires patience. there is not always evidence of great …
God’s great salvation
Ezekiel 38:1-39:29; James 4:1-17; Proverbs 28:7-17 God’s Word speaks of His judgment upon sin (Ezekiel 39:23-24). It also speaks of His great salvation from sin (Ezekiel 39:25-29). “Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'” (James 4:6). God’s Word speaks of the choice placed before man – obedience or disobedience, blessing or …
Seeking wisdom from God and receiving wisdom from him
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1). To many people, in today's world, this would seem to be a very arrogant assertion. What are we to say about this? We could begin by going to the words of Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of …
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Hallelujah! He has found me.
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10). In his "Sermon the Mount" (Matthew 5-7), Jesus begins with a series of sayings, known as the Beatitudes. In the third Beatitude, Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Meek - what does this mean? …
James
This letter has a very practical message. It is concerned with living the Christian life, living in a way that pleases God, living with a consistency between what we say and what we do. James emphasizes the need for wisdom. He emphasizes that we are to seek wisdom from God (chapter 1). True wisdom is …
Preach God’s Word – and pray that men and women will be brought back to the Lord.
Ezekiel 40:1-49; James 5:1-20; Psalm 130:1-8 The prophecy spoken by Ezekiel has its ultimate Source in God Himself - “the hand of the Lord was upon me” (Ezekiel 40:1). He goes on to describe “visions of God” (Ezekiel 40:2). To speak the Word of God faithfully requires patience. There is not always evidence of great …
Continue reading Preach God’s Word – and pray that men and women will be brought back to the Lord.
God wants to bless us. How much do we want to be blessed by Him?
Ezekiel 33:21-35:15; James 2:1-26; Psalm 128:1-6 The Word of God speaks clearly about sin and judgment - “See, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep” (Ezekiel 34:20), “judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” (James 2:13). God’s Word also gives to us great promises. …
Continue reading God wants to bless us. How much do we want to be blessed by Him?
Breathe on me, Breath of God.
Ezekiel 36:1-37:28; James 3:1-18; Psalm 129:1-8 The Breath of God (the Spirit of God) brings life (Ezekiel 37:9). When “the tongue ... is ... set on fire by hell” (James 3:6), the words which it breathes out will be “full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). How important it is that we keep on praying, “Breathe on …
Less pride, more humility – and more of the grace of God
Ezekiel 38:1-39:29; James 4:1-17; Proverbs 28:7-17 God’s Word speaks of His judgment upon sin (Ezekiel 39:23-24). It also speaks of His great salvation from sin (Ezekiel 39:25-29). “Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). God’s Word speaks of the choice placed before man - obedience or disobedience, blessing or …
Continue reading Less pride, more humility – and more of the grace of God
God’s Word promises blessing.
Ezekiel 32:1-33:20; James 1:1-27; Psalm 127:1-5 God’s Word must be spoken as a Word which calls for response. The prophet is to “warn the wicked man to turn from his ways” (Ezekiel 33:9). He is to declare that “the Sovereign Lord … takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they …
The crown of life
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12). The crown of life: How wonderful this is! There will come a time when all our trials will be behind us. All …
God is making us the kind of people he wants us to become.
"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" (James 1:2-4). Are you going through a hard time? Do you need some encouragement, from the Lord? …
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Learning From God's Word 