Grace = great relationships

Friday - 8/31 - Read James 4:1-12

God wants grace to help us grow in our relationships with others.

In vv. 11 and 12 we see that this includes what we say about others. How should our tongue be used as we bring up the names of others?

God's grace has been give to us to build up others. Why is "slander v. 11" so wrong in light of this?

We are called to love each other by God's law (the royal law, to love others as we love ourselves).

Are we an exception to this law?

If not, how do we become judges of the law (v. 11)?

Submission to God! That's what it comes back to. This is what humility is all about.

Here we see that this submission plays out as love to others, watching our words and building others up with them. How you doing?

Read Isa. 1:18; Mt. 26:26-29 for next Sunday

An action plan

Thursday - 8/30 - Read James 4:1-12

On Sunday we learned that this "humility" looks like the action statements of vv. 7-9.

Submission to God is the first step (v. 7a) in activating humility in our lives. Why?

Resisting the devil literally means to "stand against" the devil. How can you do this? Do you believe God's promise that the devil will flee if you do?

How intimate are you with God? Intimacy takes time as we're in the presence of another person. Is this true of you and God?

How can you improve this intimacy with God?

Personal purity includes the idea of confessing and forsaking sin in our lives. Why does this activate humility in our lives?

V. 9 talks about a brokeness before God. How can this response be appropriate especially when we are struggling with sin or worldliness in our lives?

Read Isa. 1:18; Mt. 26:26-29 for next Sunday

Humility is the key

Wednesday - 8/29 - James 4:1-12

James 4:6 is one of the most encouraging verses in this epistle. Is that a true statement?

Why?

The attractions of worldliness are powerful, but God wants to give you a resource to give you victory over it? What is it?

What unlocks God's overcoming grace in our lives according to v. 6 (quoted from Pr. 3:34)?

Why do you think humility unlocks the power of God's grace?

Can you remember times in your Christian walk when this has occurred?

Is humility present in your walk with the Lord today?

Read Isa. 1:18; Mt. 26:26-29 for next Sunday

Me? Adulterous?

Tuesday - 8/28 - James 4:1-12

Who's your best friend? Is God really, really your best friend?

If he's not, what does James accuse you of according to verse 4?

Why does James accuse us of being "adulterous" if God is not our best friend?

v. 5 talks about the Spirit of God "envies intensely" to be #1 in our lives. Is this a valid thing for God to desire?

Is it right for a husband and wife to "envy intensely" to be #1 in the other's life?

In the context of a marriage setting it seems to be proper and even healthy to desire to be #1 in the heart of our mate, in the context of God's desire is God justified in desiring to be #1 in our lives?

What about you? Who's your best friend?

Read Isa. 1:18; Mt. 26:26-29 for next Sunday

What is worldliness?

Monday - 8/27 - Read James 4:1-12

James doesn't pull any punches when he confronts worldliness. But, what is worldliness?

Is worldliness something we do? Or is it something or some way we think? Col. 2:8

When we leave God out of the picture as we approach life, what is going to determine how we feed our desires and appetites?

Worldliness is not so much what's "out there" in this world but what's "in there" in our hearts. What's in your heart?

In James 4:1-3 James asks, "What causes fights and quarrels among you?" What's the answer according to James v. 1?(cp. possibly with Mt. 5:21-22)?

So are you getting your way or not? How are you reacting if you're not getting in your way?

Read Isa. 1:18; Mt. 26:26-29 for next Sunday

Tapping into God's wisdom

Friday - 8/24 - Read James 3:13-18

Read James 3:17,18. Who wouldn't want these things filling their lives.

This is what God's wisdom produces. Can you imagine how much healthier our relationships would be if we defaulted to God's wisdom in our lives.

What's the source of this wisdom? Sunday we learned it is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then learning from God's Word as we study for ourselves and as we fellowship with God's people.

Are you tapping into the source of God's wisdom?

Consider your life today--your marriage, your family, your co-workers, your friends and neighbors. What is the default operating system or wisdom you use as you relate to these folks--God's wisdom or this worlds'?

Which one are you pursuing in life?

Read James 4:1-12 for next Sunday

Humility is the key

Thursday - 8/23 - Read James 3:13-18

Paul tells us in Col. 3:1 to "set your minds on things above." We've got to look to God for a wisdom that will please God.

Warning! You'll never find this wisdom unless your heart is humble before God.

This begins with the Cross. If you've never trusted Christ as your Savior you're missing out on the source of all true wisdom--Jesus Christ Himself.

He will humble you as you realize everything you have and ever will have is from Him, most importantly you're salvation.

Once we are humble before God--His power and wisdom begin to flow through our lives.

If you've been a believer for years it's all about staying humble by remembering every day, hour and minute of the Christian life must be lived in light of the gospel.

Read James 4:1-12 for next Sunday

Powerful motivation

Wednesday - 8/22 - James 3:13-18

James tells us that the motivation behind worldly wisdom is "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition." Do you find this to be true in the lives of people you are with every day?

Does it scare you when you see these things bubbling to the surface in your life?

Notice, in James 3:16 what the outcome is: "disorder, and every evil practice."

V. 14 says, "if you." James realized that even Christians can default to this kind of worldly wisdom.

Since we're not in heaven yet, we must realize the potential we have to default to this kind of worldly wisdom and avoid it.

It's OK! If you find this problem in your life, it's actually the first step in the right direction--toward God's wisdom.

Read James 4:1-12 for next Sunday

We're in a fight

Tuesday - 8/21 - James 3:13-18

Earthly wisdom is based on a system of understanding life that leaves God out of the picture.

Is this the default setting for your life? If it is, is this what you want?

Paul warns us not to be "conformed any longer to the pattern (wisdom) of this world. (Rom 12:2)"

Do you feel a pull in this direction? It's the default way even Christians live life. We need to discern and avoid this "operating system" or wisdom.

Think about it! Is there a need in your life to identify which operating system or wisdom you're defaulting to?

While we are living in this world, we must know there will be the pressure on us to figure out life in a worldly way because that's the way most folks around us are seeing life.

If you sense this difficulty--good! We need to realize we are in a fight. We need to identify the reality of the world around us and how others, who do not know Christ, are processing life.

Read James 4:1-12 for next Sunday

When life "boots up" for you

Monday - 8/20 - Read James 3:13-18

When your life booted up this morning, what was your default operating system or wisdom? Was Gods wisdom up and running or did the world's system boot up?

Do you find figuring out life a sometimes demanding and overwhelming thing?

Let's face it, we all struggle with this. How do we react? That's the important thing.

James asks the question in v. 13, "Who is wise and understanding among you?" This is an important question we all must ask ourselves.

Your default wisdom system must come from God. This determines how we react to the things that stretch and strain us in life.

Would you take time as you meditate upon James 3:13-18 to contemplate whether you are someone who is wise and understanding among your family, friends, in the church, and even around those who don't know Christ yet.

Read James 4:1-12 for next Sunday

A heart connection

Friday - 8/17 - Read James 3:1-12

What determines what comes out of your mouth? cp. Luke 6:43-45 (Read)

In light of Jesus' teaching, ask yourself what are you filling your heart with on a daily basis?

Read Col. 3:1-17. Do we have any hope of changing our mouth if we're not filling up our heart with God's Word?

How can we minister to one another the Word of God?

How much time do you personally spend with God on a daily basis listening to His heart and meditating on what He's saying to you?

Do you need to make a commitment to a time alone with God?

"May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight O LORD, my Rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Read James 3:13-18 for next Sunday

Sanctification

Thursday - 8/16 - Read James 3:1-12

Why is following Paul's instruction in Eph. 4:29 so important for churches, especially Grace Evangelical Free Church as we attempt to move forward? Please take a moment to read this verse.

How successful will we be in our own strength and power to control our tongue? cp. James 3:78

Should we just give up then? cp. James 1:26

Remember our definition of "sanctification?" Sanctification is that process of being set apart by God to Christ day by day, more and more, for your special purpose He has for you in this world.

You are unique because God made you that way. Your upbringing, socio-economic background, life experiences, education, relationships, personality, traits, talents, skills, dreams, goals, aspirations, spiritual gifts, etc., make you totally unlike anyone else in this world. God wants to use you in a most unique way. That's sanctification.

Our lips or tongue and what they say and proclaim to others fall under this process of sanctification.

Read James 3:13-18 for next Sunday

Stick out your tongue and say, "AH!"

Wednesday - 8/15 - James 3:1-12

What is the spiritual condition of your tongue? I think you know what I mean by this, right?

Has one word, or one statement started a "forest fire" of trouble in your life or in the lives of others? Doesn't it amaze you? One statement and the fire is blazing.

Why do you think James says in James 3:6 "It corrupts the whole person."?

We know why God wants our words to be godly, but do we understand the passion Satan has to see our words being destructive and harmful. James says our tongues can be set on fire by hell itself. Satan--give him credit here--is a great strategist. He knows how powerful words are.

With the words you've used last week have you played into this strategy?

Stick out your tongue and say, "Ah!"

Read James 3:13-18 for next Sunday

Words are powerful

Tuesday - 8/14 - James 3:1-12

Take a moment to read and meditate on Proverbs 18:21. Use the New Living Translation if you have it.

Do we really understand how powerful our words are? Do you remember a time when someone said something to you that devastated you or gave you tremendous hope?

On Sunday I shared a little bit about two individuals who had tremendous influence on others through their words--Jim Jones and Billy Graham. Obviously, one was used to inflict tremendous tragedy and the other to speak words of eternal life two literally millions. Can you think of others whose words have had a huge impact on others?

Biting your tongue really is about understanding this influence and speaking to others in light of it.

Do you choose your words carefully?

Read James 3:13-18 for next Sunday

Words make us accountable

Monday - 8/13 - Read James 3:1-12

How many times have your words gotten you in trouble? Stop and reflect. Can you think of two or three really difficult situations, hurt feelings, wounds, etc., that your words may have caused?

Re-read James 1:26. Why is getting control of your tongue so important?

According to James 3:7,8 is this even possible from a human perspective?

According to James 3:1,2 your words make you accountable. You may not be a teacher or preacher in a church but how do your words make you accountable where you're at in life? As a husband, wife, mom or dad, son or daughter? What about at work? With your friends?

If our words make us accountable why is it important that we bite our tongue? cp. Proverbs 17:27,28

Read James 3:13-18 for next Sunday

Our Choice vs. God's Sovereignty

Friday - 8/10 - Read Mark 14:12-26

God is so powerful!

On the surface this choice Judas made looks so harmful and disastrous. Yet, God's sovereign hand was even on this decision.

At the time, for the disciples, I'm sure no one could have made that statement and really believed it.

Yet it was true.

Your choices you make today and the resulting ramifications will be used somehow, someway in the hands of a sovereign God.

"But woe to the man who betrays the Son of Man!"

If you are still undecided about a choice for good that you must make in your life, will you make your choice now--finally---willfully and for the honor of God's name?

Read James 3:1-12 for next Sunday

Surely not I

Thursday - 8/9 - Read Mark 14:12-26

We all have heard the phrase, "There but for the grace of God go I!"

If Judas could betray Jesus and the other 11 could momentarily abandon Jesus--do you have the same potential?

What kind of choices did you make on Sunday around the communion table? Is today a good day to reinforce those decisions?

The disciples all responded, "Surely not I," when confronted with the potential of spiritual failure.

Maybe today, right now, it just doesn't seem possible. Look at Gal. 6:1. Paul tells the church to be prepared to restore those who are "caught in a sin." This carries with it the idea of being "caught by surpise."

We need to realize that we all have the potential to make incredibly harmful and wrong decisions. God's grace is the only thing that stands in the way of us choosing wrongly.

Will you bow your head and cry out to God for Him to reinforce your resolve with His power and strength?

Read James 3:1-12 for next Sunday

The impact of your choices

Wednesday - 8/8 - Read Mark 14:12-26

Have you ever been "saddened" (v. 19) by news of someone failing spiritually?

Do you understand the impact your choices will have on others around you?

Do you recall a time that someone's choice in their spiritual walk impacted you--good or bad?

If you are a dad or a mom, what kind of impact are your choices having on your kids?

If you are a friend or acquaintance, what kind of impact are your choices having on your friends?

Are you on the verge of making a choice in your life that could seriously impact loved ones, friends or brothers or sisters in Christ? Would you stop and think long and hard about that choice?

Read James 3:1-12 for next Sunday

Your next choice

Tuesday - 8/7 - Read Mark 14:12-26

The Lord's Supper. In the presence of God. Yet, it was in that seemingly safe place that Judas chose to betray Jesus.

Do you feel like you're in a safe place right now? Maybe you've been reading your Bible every day and praying? Perhaps you are surrounded by a small group of Christians who are encouraging you and building you up? Do you feel safe? Watch out, if you do.

You are only as safe as the next choice you make in your Christian walk. Look at Mark 14:27-31, 66-72

Do you see a little bit of yourself in Peter?

Your next choice for Jesus will determine the success of your walk with Him, not those in the past.

Should you assume you're safe spiritually?

Why is this foolish?

Are you watching and guarding yourself spiritually?

Read James 3:1-12 for next Sunday

Choices

Monday - 8/6 - Read Mark 14:12-26

I have made some really bad choices in life and some really good choices. I'm sure you have as well. Reflect for a couple of minutes and think about some of these choices. What were the ramifications of those choices. Are you still living with the outcome--good or bad?

Judas' choice led to suicide. What a horrible choice he made in life.

Why do you think choices against the Lord lead to negative situations in life?

Are you in a place in life, right now, where you are being tempted to choose against what you know to be God's will for your life?

Will you allow the lesson we learned on Sunday at the communion table to influence your heart to choose God's path? Your choice is crucial.

Read James 3:1-12 for next Sunday