Where does temptation come from?

Tuesday - 5/1 - James 1:13-18

According to James 1:13,14 what is the source of temptation?

We discovered on Sunday that temptation can be an opportunity to accomplish a good thing in a bad way. For example, passing an exam is a good thing, but cheating to do so, is accomplishing a good thing in a bad way. Stop and think of how you might have been attempting to accomplish good things in bad ways?

Does God ever try to accomplish good things in bad ways?

How does your answer above help you to understand why God never tempts anyone?

Do we like to take blame when we succumb to temptation?

So, who or what do we blame instead of ourselves?

Can we ever blame God?

temptation vs. trials

Monday - 4/30 - James 1:13-18

James 1:13 tells us that temptation happens to all of us. What was the last temptation you faced? How did you do?

How you answered above tells whether the experience was a trial you passed or a temptation you succumbed to.

What happens to our faith when we face temptations and are victorious over them?

What happens to our faith when we face temptations and are defeated by them?

What do temptations tell us about our faith when we are victorious over them?

What do temptations tell us about our faith when we are defeated by them?

Do temptations afford us positive opportunities? If so, what are some of them?

An Eternal Perspective

Friday - 4/27 - Read James 1:2-12

Usually, when people face trials the first question they ask God is "Why?"

If it is true that this world is not all there is for us, and we will someday live with the Lord and all the heartache of this world will be gone, why might the question "Why God?" not be the best question to ask Him?

If we are going to live forever with the Lord in heaven and we face trials here, what might be a better question?

Every Christian, regardless of their human resources, have the same eternity in common--heaven. According to James 1:9-11 how should we apply this in the context of trials and testing?

Do you think that living primarily for eternity instead of this temporary life is a radical perspective in this world?

If you live for that perspective how might this be perceived by those around you?

How might this help you to deal with trials and testing?

How big are your problems that test your faith in comparison to the glories of heaven that you'll enjoy forever?

The question is, will you adopt this perspective?

Read James 1:13-18 for next Sunday.

Wisdom from God

Thursday - 4/26 - Read James 1:2-12

What we learned on Sunday about external trials requires a wisdom to understand that you will not find anywhere in this world.

According to James 1:5-8, where can we get that wisdom?

What is your part in receiving this wisdom?

Why is being "doubting" God's wisdom so devastating to the Christian life?

God's best for our lives is at stake. How might approaching trials with worldly wisdom shortchange this process?

Is there any reliance on worldly wisdom instead of God's to figure out some of the trials you face in this world?

What would be an example of God's wisdom as opposed to the world's wisdom from James 1:2-12?

Read James 1:13-18 for next Sunday.

Not lacking anything!

Wednesday - 4/25 - Read James 1:2-12

James 1:4 says that the ideal for Christians is that they are "not lacking anything." What do you think this means in the context of Christians facing trials as described in James 1?

What happens when Christians have the faith tested over a prolonged period of time?

What is the goal of a believer's life: a life of ease or a life of growing maturity?

What role do difficulties and trials play in developing maturity?

If your faith is weak what is God going to do to grow it and develop it?

Has you faith been tested recently?

Does God have a reason for doing so?

Will you accept that by faith?

Read James 1:13-18 for next Sunday.

Consider it pure joy...Really?

Tuesday - 4/24 - Read James 1:2-12

Do you remember the reason we should "consider it pure joy" when you face trials of many kinds? It was found in James 2:3,4a.

James says to the Jewish believers who had been scattered because of persecution "you know" the reason.

According to v. 3 what does the testing of our faith produce?

Get a dictionary and look up the word "perseverance." What does the word mean?

Why doesn't God take away our problems, even when we pray that He would?

Are trials, testings and pressure in this world always negative?

Why or why not?

Will you trust God that He is doing something good through the trials you face?

Read James 1:13-18 for next Sunday.

A radical attitude

Monday - 4/23 - Read James 1:2-12

The shootings at Virginia Tech remind us that we are living in a fallen world. Because we live in a fallen world we can face all kinds of trials. Take a few moments and think about some pressures you face because you live in a fallen world. Jot them down, or perhaps think about them mentally.

Should we be surprised that we face these things in our world that has been horribly affected by Man's rebellion against God?

What kind of trials do Christians face because they live in a world that does not embrace the principles, pursuits and purposes of Christianity?

What does it take to face these pressures? I suggested on Sunday, we need to adopt a radical attitude toward these trials. Look at James 1:2. What is that attitude?

God commands us to adopt this attitude. Why do you think He made this a command?

If God commands us to consider going through trials, problems and pressures "pure joy," how will God empower us to obey that command?

What role does faith play in fulfilling God's will in this area?

Read James 1:13-18 for next Sunday.

God never said it would be easy

Friday - 4/20 - Read James 1:1

The Epistle of James helps us to expect pressure in this world. Are you having a hard time with this concept?

Nobody likes pressure, but it seems that God wants us to not only expect it but also to embrace it.

How could this "make or break you" spiritually?

Did God ever say that the Christian life would be easy?

Jesus told us that if we wanted to be His followers we would have to "take up our cross daily and follow Him."

Write down some of the pressure you face. Write down three or four sources of pressure. Now, give them to God and ask Him to glorify His name through those pressures.

Read James 1:2-12 for next Sunday.

God's shrinking church

Thursday - 4/19 - Read James 1:1

Can you imagine how wonderful it would have been attending the Jerusalem church?

This church really had its act together. Then it began to shrink.

What caused this church to unravel? Persecution. God allowed persecution to come and scatter God's people.

Why would God allow this? Did God have a purpose for this? Read Acts 8:1-4. What was God up to?

If you were attending this church and things began to unravel, would you have a hard time accepting the fact that God was in charge? How might you react if you had been a member of this church?

How did the people react as they were scattered?

The immediate recipients of the Epistle of James were not living comfortable, normal lives. They were now dealing with the fact that committing their lives to Christ was costing them in ways they had never anticipated.

They not only accepted what God was doing, they embraced it and spread the gospel throughout the regions where they fled to.

What about your life?

Have circumstances and situations that God has allowed in your life scattered you to places where you'd rather not go?

Has your life become uncomfortable and far from normal because of this?

Is your commitment to Christ costing you in ways you never anticipated?

How will you react?

Pressure in this world can be used by God to further His purposes, but only when His people say "yes" to His plan.

Are you saying "yes?"

Read James 1:2-12 for next Sunday.

Who would hate us?

Wednesday - 4/18 - Read James 1:1

Jesus was pretty up front about the pressure His followers would face as they listened to and applied His principles to their lives. "Hate (Jn. 17:14)" is a very strong word and this is the word Jesus used to describe how the world would feel towards us.

Every Christian must work through the issues of this kind of pressure. For some it is not difficult to face, but for others it is very difficult.

How do you feel about the potential pressure for this?

Does John 17:14 mean every person who is not a follower of Jesus Christ is going to "hate" you?

Have you ever faced this "hate?"

If you have, how did it affect your willingness to follow Jesus Christ?

Jesus prayed in John 17:15 that we would not be taken out of the world but that we would be protected. In other words Jesus prayed that we would have to face difficulty and the pressures of this world. Why?

It would be easier if we were just taken away to heaven, but He didn't pray that. Pause and think about this. What was His purpose in leaving us in this world?

What is the role of His "word" according to John 17:17-19?

As you apply these truths, how might this affect your prayer for your life and those you pray for?

Read James 1:2-12 for next Sunday.

Pursuing what?

Tuesday - 4/17 - Read James 1:1

As followers of Jesus Christ we pursue things in life that people around us, who do not know Christ, are going to think odd. Take a moment to think of a couple of these pursuits.

Contrast some of the things that people without Christ sometimes pursue.

Are all of the pursuits of this world necessarily wrong?

What could make them wrong?

Do you feel pressure in your life to pursue these things over the things of God?

Have you ever felt the negative pressure of following after these pursuits?

Have there been times that this pressure caused you to give up those pursuits?

How are you doing in your life?

How is your family doing? Is there need of some adjustments in your family?

How about Grace Evangelical Free Church? Are we pursuing the very best things as a church?

Read James 1:2-12 for next Sunday.

Are you in a sinkhole?

Monday - 4/16 - Read James 1:1

Do you feel like the pressures of life: time schedules, responsibilities, job, career goals, children's activities, church activities, social activities, financial responsibilities, temptations, etc. are like a sinkhole swallowing you up?

James lived in a world that was a pressurer-cooker like ours, that's why this epistle really resonates with us today.

He called himself a "servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." If you call yourself the same thing, you will invite pressure into your life.

Why? Different principles to lives by.

What are principles Jesus calls you to live by that will bring pressure into your life?

Why do these principles cause pressure?

How could this pressure affect you in a negative way?

As you live your Christian life out today, how will you react to the potential negative reaction to the principles you've learned as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Read James 1:2-12 for next Sunday.

Unlock the doors

Friday - 4/13

It says in John 20:19 that the disciples were living in fear, locked in a room afraid to even go out. Then they met the resurrected Jesus!

They went forth and turned the world upside down.

Do you see what the implications of the resurrection are?

Are you locked in a room of fear and defeat in your life (metaphorically speaking)?

The disciples didn't know what was going to happen when they unlocked the doors and went out. There were no guarantees.

Some could have been put to death immediately, maybe as horribly and painfully as Jesus.

In fact, all of the twelve disciples except John did die as martyrs, yet they unlocked the door and went out.

God doesn't give us any guarantees about what life will be like if we unlock the room we're in to protect ourself and go out and live courageously and boldly for Him?

Yet, just as with the disciples, He does guarantee us one thing--through the resurrection we'll live eternally with Him!

We can live fearlessly because of that.

Unlock the doors! Go forth and live boldly for your Savior! He may use sickness or health in your life! He may use riches or poverty in your life! He may use acceptance by others or rejection by others in your life! He may use success or failure in your life!

Will you unlock the doors of fear and uncertainty in your life by losing your life to the resurrected Savior and Lord and experience life the way God wanted you to experience it?

Read James 1.

What do you believe?

Thursday - 4/12

On Sunday, the drama presentation portrayed three women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Salome, the mother of James and John). All three of these women were living miracles.

All of these women were followers of Jesus. He touched each of their lives in wonderful ways and then He was crucified!!!

They were devastated, along with the other disciples. All their hopes and expectations were dashed. Life was over.

Then Jesus came back from the dead and they were the first to witness it. The resurrection of Jesus raised them out of the despair and brokenness they experienced when Jesus was crucified and filled them with hope and expectation.

Jesus wants to do the same for you.

Will you pause and read 1 Cor. 15:1-11?

This is what we believe. This is what defines us as Christians.

How does this set us apart from every other religion in the world?

How should this affect us when we are devastated by events or circumstances in our lives?

Are you a living miracle?

Read James 1.

Who is this guy? What happened?

Wednesday - 4/11

Read Acts 2:22-36 (or Acts 2:1-41 if you have time).

Who is this guy preaching? Peter!

This is the same guy who totally blew it! He denied the Lord three times with cursing and swearing (Mt. 26:69-75).

Yet, in Acts 2 we see his life being used in an unbelievably powerful way.

What happened? This is what happens when God reinstates His people when they repent and turn back to Him.

It can happen to you if you've blown it spiritually!

You may not become a powerful preacher like Peter, but whatever God does in your life, it will be "power-filled."

Do you settle for far less than what a resurrected Savior wants for your life?

Since Jesus came back from the dead He wants to fill your life with the same power that caused His resurrection (Eph. 1:18-20).

Do you hunger for this kind of life?

Why not yield your life to Jesus Christ, in faith, and trust Him to perform the miraculous through your life as a parent, son, daughter, student, worker, whatever!!!

Read James 1.

A walking miracle!

Tuesday - 4/10

Peter was a walking miracle!

He was a man who bragged about how he would never let the Lord down. He said that even if he had to die, he would never deny the Lord. Matt. 26:31-35

When Jesus was arrested, how did Peter do? see Matt. 26:55

Have you ever fallen spiritually and let the Lord down? Who hasn't, right?

What happened when Peter was confronted about this? see John 21:15-19

If you've let the Lord down recently, why not spend some time with these passages and ask the Lord to forgive you and begin using your life all over again?

Easter is not only about new life, it's also about reconciliation. The resurrected Lord reconciled Peter to Himself and He wants to do the same with you if this is your need today.

Spend some "quality" time with the resurrected Lord! Experience His cleansing presence in your life as you confess you sin to Him (1 Jn. 1:9). He will forgive you. He will reconcile you. Why not start all over, like Peter.

Read James 1.

He is risen! He has risen indeed!

Monday - April 9

Easter Sunday is always special to me. Our faith is based on the historical fact that Jesus conquered death. We don't believe in a fairy tale, or wishful thinking, but a definite, documented event in history that had hundreds of eye-witnesses that would rather give their lives than deny what they knew to be true--that Jesus indeed did rise from the dead.

For Peter and the other disciples this fact of history turned their lives upside down. Fear, doubt, confusion and defeat was turned into Courage, faith, hope and victory as they came face to face with the risen Savior.

As you come face to face with Jesus, the conqueror of death, in your life, may God give you everything you need to be victorious as you live for Him.

Jesus makes the difference in our lives because He is alive. Let Him make the difference today for you. Call upon Him in your workplace today, or school, or family, etc. Call the risen Savior into your situations you face today.

When Jesus makes a difference in your life, life begins to make sense. He's alive! He can make the difference. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Read James 1 for next week.

Resistance Army

Friday - 4/6 - Matthew 21:1-11

Why do you think Christians sometimes feel uncomfortable in this world?

Do you ever hunger for something better than this world? Is that hunger a good thing?

Why is there suffering in this world right now? Will that suffering be allowed when Jesus sets up His rule on this planet?

I talked about how the church on this planet is like the "French Resistance" against Nazi Germany during World War II.

Do you feel that way sometimes?

What does that tell you about the nature of living for Christ today?

Sometimes when it feels like Jesus is messing up our plans, He is actually putting into place plans for our lives that are absolutely necessary in view of eternity.

How do you react when you believe King Jesus is messing up your plans?

Will you bow your knee to King Jesus and allow Him to be king?

Will you embrace His rule on His terms?

His kingdom is out of this world. Will you trust Him to set up His kingdom in His good time and according to His will?

Read Acts 2:22-36 in preparation for Easter Sunday.

A kingdom out of this world

Thursday - 4/5 - Matthew 21:1-11

Read Jn. 18:36-38a. Jesus didn't hide the truth that His kingdom is not of this world.

Sometimes we fail to remember this when suffering, pain, sickness and death touch our lives.

Who is the leader of this renegade planet called Earth?

If Satan is the leader right now on earth, what kind of world will this be for Jesus' followers to live in?

Will God put up with this rebellion forever? Rev. 11:15

This means that ultimately, we must be patient and live our lives in hope of Jesus' return.

Are you willing to trust Jesus with this fact?

Will this earth ever be an ideal place to live until that day?

Is the time when Jesus will rule and reign on this earth worth waiting for?

Read Acts 2:22-36 in preparation for Easter Sunday.

A panorama of eternity

Wednesday - 4/4 - Matthew 21:1-11

Read Isa. 55:8,9.

Was God up-front about how His ways might be misunderstood by us?

If God doesn't hide this fact, then why do we struggle with it when He chooses a way for us to go that is contrary to what we would choose?

Are you willing to embrace His way?

God sees the whole panorama of eternity. How much of eternity do you see?

If His ways for your life are not what you would choose, how important is it for us to understand the two thoughts above?

If He sees eternity and we do not, how important is it for us to trust Him with our lives when He allows things into our lives we would never choose if we had the choice?

Is there a circumstance or situation in your life right now that you would not have chosen?

How will you react to this in light of Isa. 55:8,9?

Read Acts 2:22-36 in preparation for Easter Sunday.

What kind of king?

Tuesday - 4/3 - Matthew 21:1-11

Are there times in your Christian life when you feel you could do a better job than Jesus as king of your life? Be honest!

Think of how the disciples felt. What kind of king were they looking for?

Why do you think the people went from crying out "Hosanna (Save Now!)" in 21:9 to "Crucify Him" in Matt. 27:22-26? What a change of attitude!!! Why?

Are there times when you consider the temporary things of this world as more important than eternal things? Jot down a couple of times when this happened.

Why do we struggle with this?

What kind of tyranny did the Jews want Jesus to deliver them from when they cried out "Hosanna (Save Now!)?"

What kind of tyranny did Jesus want to deliver them from by going to the Cross?

Jesus rules His way on lots of issues in our lives. Sometimes we don't understand those ways. Why?

Is there an issue in your life right now, where Jesus is ruling in a certain way and you either don't understand it or don't want to embrace His decision? Will you trust Jesus' rule?

Read Acts 2:22-36 in preparation for Easter Sunday.

Chasing donkeys

Monday - 4/2 - Matthew 21:1-11

What do you think of when you think of Palm Sunday? I know I personally think of Palm Branches! In fact for a long, long time that's about the limit of what I'd think of.

What about what happened on that day that Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on the back of that colt? What do you think of then?

Do you think of the disciples and what they were thinking when the Lord asked them to go and untie someone's donkeys and take them? Seems kinda bizarre.

Does it seem kinda bizarre for the Lord to ask you to loose your live to find it? To be a servant in order to be a leader? To seek His kingdom first in your life, even over food, clothing, etc.?

What are some other areas of the Christian life that seem a little odd and maybe out of step with the world and how it sees things?

Jesus asks us to chase those "donkeys," as it were. Are you willing to do so?

How might Jesus use those "donkeys" to present Himself to the world as King?

Read Acts 2:22-36 in preparation for Easter Sunday.