Journeying with James

~ The Book of James ~

James 1
Trials and Temptations

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation — since they will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 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.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


James 2
Favoritism Forbidden

1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that —and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
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?
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.


James 3
Taming the Tongue

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But 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.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.


James 4
Submit Yourselves to God

1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you — who are you to judge your neighbor?

Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.



James 5
Warning to Rich Oppressors

1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear — not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,
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.




Personal Confession Time!

Ok, I'll admit it. There are some days that I am just plain grouchy. Worse; I am grouchy for no reason. Other days I just do not want to be a nice person - especially when other people are behaving poorly and trying my patience. I do not want to hold my tongue. I want to let it fly. I don't want to act wise and make sound decisions. Still other days I want to grumble and mumble about how it seems like "some" people just seem to always have it so easy and I always seem to have to struggle through everything.

After a period of grouchiness and ill-tempered reactions to petty things, I will finally decide that I can't stand myself anymore. I turn to the Lord in prayer and to the Scriptures. I seem to always end up in the Book of James.

James starts off by admonishing us to "count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations" (James 1:2). So I'm supposed to be joyful that I lose my temper and feel like I'm ready for the loony bin?

How's that work?

He continues, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Our times of temptation lead us to a humble state where we will develop more faith. An increase in faith leads to more patience.

But how is this done?

James suggests, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him, but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." (James 1:5-6)

I decided that I lacked wisdom. I had no clue how to not have these "off" grouchy days. I had no idea how to control my temper, much less find the "joy" hidden within my temptation.

So I began praying for help. I am under no delusions that this problem will be solved by my mustering enough will power to "be nice." While studying Ephesians 6:11-18, I found another piece to the puzzle.

Paul advises us to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Now that is what I need to stand against the whiles of the devil and not lose my temper. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Satan has his full armies out there ready to attack us and the only way to stand against him is to put on this full armor of God.

This armor includes:
* Truth girt about your loins
* The breastplate of righteousness on your chest
* The gospel of peace on your feet
* The shield of faith in your hand so you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
* The helmet of salvation on your head
* The sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God) in your other hand.

And then top it off with praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

James of course, speaks a lot about our faith leading us to good works; in other words our faith helps us be obedient and not succumb to Satan's fiery darts. But what struck me most in this Ephesians passage was "the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God."

This reminded me of Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

James had definitely put a two edge sword to my soul and revealed the thoughts and intents of my heart; especially with James 1:26, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

Ouch!

Through prayerful pondering of these passages, I determined to study the book of James every day for 21 days. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. The Book is only about six pages and can easily be read every day. Perhaps the sword of James will increase my faith to be able to quench the fiery darts of the adversary. Combining reading James with prayer and supplication for help from the Lord seems like a perfect solution.

I'm just a few days into James and can already tell a difference. I'm by no means perfect, but I do seem to have a greater strength to endure patiently and hold my tongue. I also feel peaceful instead of irritated and annoyed. God's grace can make us more than we are when we humble ourselves and seek His help.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:10)

If you have trouble holding your tongue or struggle with a critical heart or a lack of faith, join with me in a prayerful study of James.

Let's see what God can do in our lives by studying James!

If Any of You Lacks Wisdom

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him".
James 1:5

James 1:5 teaches us that if you and I lack wisdom, we have the right to go to God and insist that he give us the answers we need. In fact, the Greek tense used in that verse tells us that God actually commands us to come to Him when we need wisdom. Furthermore, the Greek word used to describe us asking God for wisdom indicates that God wants us to be firm and resolute when we request wisdom from Him.

But before God will open His hand and give us the wisdom we need, there is a condition we must meet. The condition we must meet to receive wisdom from God is found in the phrase "of God." In Greek, those are the words para theou. The word para means alongside of, and it depicts a very close, side-by-side, intimate position next to someone else. The word theou is the Greek word for God. When these words are placed together in a phrase, as in this verse, it pictures a person who comes right alongside of God, who comes as close to God as possible, who stands side-by-side with Him. In this statement, we discover God's requirement of us before He will give us the wisdom we need. If we want wisdom, we must come right up alongside of God in order to obtain it.

You see, God wants a relationship with us. He doesn't want to just freely hand out answers to our problems. He wants us to come to Him. And the moment we get side-by-side with God, He opens his hand and reveals everything we need to know and understand about the situations we are facing.

So often, however, believers allow themselves to become too busy with the affairs of life, and they fail to take time out of their hectic schedules to get into the intimate Presence of God. They want God to meet their need "on demand," but they don't want to fulfill God's need to be close to his people.

Rushing into the Presence of the Lord, these believers stay only long enough to make their requests known to Him before they rush out again to resume their busy schedules. They don't stay long enough for God to enjoy them and to speak to their hearts about the deeper subjects of life that may be the real root of their problems and shortfalls.

When James tells us to "ask" God for the wisdom we need, the word "ask" means we can be very bold and insistent. But for us to get what we request, we must ask "of God." In other words, we must come right up alongside of God, getting as close to Him as possible, and then make our request. If we will fulfill this requirement of coming close to God and opening our hearts to Him and to His touch, He will then gladly open His hand and show us every answer we need.

But be prepared for God to show you additional things you weren't expecting to see! When you come into His glorious light, that light penetrates you and reveals defects and dark places in your soul and behavior patters that need to be changed. But if you stay out of God's Presence, it is very possible that these defects may never become apparent to your own eyes, for many things can only be revealed by getting into His Presence. Could it be that you have avoided the Presence of God because you are afraid of what you might see in yourself if you came into His glorious light?

Once you fulfill this requirement of getting right alongside of God, He is obligated to give you the wisdom you seek from Him. That is why James says that God "giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not."

The word "giveth" is the Greek word didontos, which comes from the word didomi. The word didomi means to give, but the form used here is didontos, which describes one who is in the habit of constantly giving. This assuredly tells us that God is not one who holds out on His people or who refrains from giving them wisdom when they need it. Instead, James tells us that God is in the habit of giving wisdom to His people when they need it. He is the "the giving God."

Not only does God give us the wisdom we need when we meet His requirement to come close to Him, but James 1:5 promises that he gives it "liberally, and upbraideth not," the word "liberally" is the Greek word haploos. It depicts something that is given generously, abundantly, plentifully, bountifully, and open-handedly. You see, if we'll meet God's requirement to come close to Him, He will profusely answer the questions we have and impart the wisdom we need.

The words "upbraideth not" are from the Greek word "oneididzo", which means to "rebuke or to reprove". However, in this case, the word "me" is used in front of this word, making the entire Greek phrase "me" "oneididzontes", which means to Not rebuke or to Not reprove.

In other words, God will Not rebuke you or reprove you for asking anything of Him.

You are His child, and He wants you to have the wisdom you need for life. You'll find God to be open-hearted and ready to answer any question you ever put to Him. But before He gives you those answers, He first wants you to fulfill His requirement of coming alongside of Him, where He can love you and fellowship with you and where you can feel and experience His love. In that up-close, side-by-side encounter with God, you will also become aware of all the other areas of your life that need attention.

And here's the good news:

In His glorious presence, God will not only make you aware of these areas that need adjustment, He will also give you the power and ability to change!

James 1:5 says that if you will meet God's requirement to come close to Him, 'the giving God" will give you the wisdom and answers you need. So don't let yourself rush in and out of the Presence of God too quickly any longer. It's time for you to learn how to spend time in the Presence of the lord so He can shine His glorious light upon your life! Let Him bathe you in His glory. Let His glory shine on you and reveal the dark areas in your life that need to be changed. Stay in his Presence long enough to let the wisdom you are seeking sink into your spirit and soul.

Never forget that God is "the giving God" who wants to meet your need. But for that need to be met, you have to come right up alongside him”and you can only do that by making room in your daily schedule for spending time in His Presence.

Are you ready to include God in your schedule today?




How to Spend a Day with the Lord

"Come near to God and He will come near to you."
James 4:8

Usually our days are filled with the demands of life crying for our attention, but today, whether for four, eight or 12 hours, your only priority is to be with your Lord, to bask in His love, to thank and worship Him, to listen to Him, to intercede for others, to lay your life and activities before Him and let Him give directions.   He is waiting for you! Don't rush. The objective is to spend relaxed uninterrupted time with God, not to go through a format. These are mere guidelines. Let God be your guide.

1. Preparation
Find a place where you can be alone and free from distractions.
Bring your Bible, a notebook and pen, a hymn book, song sheets or cassette tapes.

2. Thanksgiving and Praise:
Begin with Thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4 tells us, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise."
a- Thank Him for His patience and forgiveness.
b- Thank Him for the privilege of coming into His presence.
c- Thank Him for what He has done in and through your life in the last year.

3. Make a List
Take time to list what God has done for you. Be specific. Think through every area of your life.

4. Search My Heart
Ask God to search your heart. Psalm 139:23,24
a. Confess any sins the Holy Spirit reveals. Psalm 19:12
b. Remember the certainty of forgiveness. 1 John 1:9
c. Make certain you are walking and praying in the Spirit. Ephesians 5:15-20

5. Become Still
Become still before the Lord. Psalm 46:10
a. Consider who God is. Psalm 103
b. Praise Him for His attributes. Psalm 145
c. Rejoice in your fellowship with Him and that He delights in you. Proverbs 15:8
d. Read passages of scripture and pray them back to God. Psalms 146-150
e. Sing to the Lord.

6. Revelation
a. Ask God to reveal the world to you from His point of view as you read. Psalm 33

7. Intercession
a. Pray your way around the world with unhurried, detailed intercession for others.
b. Begin with your non-Christians, friends, relatives, neighbours and others the Lord puts on your heart.
c. Pray for those in authority - federal, provincial and municipal government leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1,2
d. Pray for Christians using Paul's prayers in Philippians 1, Colossians 1, Ephesians 1 and 3.

"By intercessory prayer we can hold off Satan from other lives and give the Holy Ghost a chance with them. No wonder Jesus put such tremendous emphasis on prayer!" -Oswald Chambers

8. Personal Life Evaluation
a. Ask for understanding as you read an entire book of the Bible. Record insights God gives you.
b. Inquire of God what He thinks of your life and wait. Listen for His answer.
c. Evaluate the use of the time, talent, treasure, education and experience God has entrusted to you. Are they glorifying to God? Do you need to modify some of them?
d. Discuss with the Lord your joys, your sorrows and decisions you are facing. Find promises and directives in the Bible which you can record.

"The greatest answer to prayer is that I am brought into a perfect understanding with God, and that alters my view of actual things." ~Oswald Chambers

9. Concluding Your Day with God
a. Praise and thank God for the fellowship you had today.
b. Schedule the next "Day with the Lord" in your appointment book.
c. Share with someone about your day with the Lord.

I hope you will join me each day in my quest to be a better person through the examples found in the Book of James. Make it a priority to be the very best person that God knows you can be. We can only be better for it!