book of jam the es that wo ith rk fa s Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a Bible- PROLOGUE based institution for theological and professional studies. SAGU is rooted in the great commission of Jesus Christ to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”’ and to “make The students of Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) have disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have the unique opportunity to enjoy a devotional time together once a week with commanded you” (Mark 16:15a; Matthew 28:19, 20), which is the either the students of their dorm or with just their hall of 25-30 fellow students primary emphasis of SAGU’s parent body, the General Council of who are in the same stage of life that they are in. It is during this one hour the Assemblies of God. together that community is built, and long-lasting spiritual relationships are The purpose of Southwestern Assemblies of God University developed. This particular devotional time is a time-honored tradition at SAGU is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students spiritually, that many generations have been able to enjoy. academically, professionally, and cross culturally so as to During the Fall 2008 semester, the Residential Life Department decided successfully fill evangelistic, missionary and church ministry roles to redesign the devotional program so that the students of SAGU could go and to provide quality educational and professional Christian through a book of the Bible together within the framework of the collegiate service wherever needed throughout the world. school year. This has proven to be a valuable experience for them that has provided the additional benefit of having shared themes within scriptural passages that everyone is discussing across the whole campus and Resident Assistants (RA’s) and Dorm Directors (Dorm Pastors) are leading on a weekly basis. In the Fall of 2014, a devotional based on the themes in 1Timothy was assembled and printed for the students of SAGU for the very first time. The Residential Life Department at SAGU used this guide as a tool for discipleship groups on campus that we were encouraging students to be involved in © 2021 by Southwestern Assemblies of God University to build each other up and to spur each other on to be more like Jesus. In continuation of this practice, this particular booklet is a 24-week (12 weeks a www.sagu.edu semester) devotional guide based on the book of Romans. The purpose in No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, putting together these devotional guides with writers that the students know transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, and respect (professors, staff members, and administrators), is to inspire mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter students today to be passionate about the living Word of God and to inspire invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and discipleship to expand on campus. recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, We would like to thank our President, Kermit Bridges, our Vice President without written permission from Southwestern Assemblies of Student Services, Terry Phipps, and the Administration of SAGU to allow of God University. us to compile this work and any future guides for the spiritual growth of our students. We would also like to thank the writers of the individual devotions Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be for taking the time to invest in this project. We are extremely grateful for their trademarks or registered trademarks and are used only or endeavors, personal insight, and transparency in sharing their hearts with us. identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Our prayer is that the Lord continues to enlighten minds as students of His Word and disciple others in the path of Christ, but that we also heed His voice Edited by: Lance Meche to “make disciples” for His Kingdom Cover Design by: Barbara Garza and Erica Kemper Lance Meche, MDiv Dean of Students 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue...... 1 Mercy Over Judgment (2:12-13)...... 26 Lance Meche, MDiv., Dean of Students Brandy Slusher, BS, Security Officer Introduction (1:1)...... 2 No Works, No Faith (2:14-20)...... 28 Lance Meche, MDiv., Dean of Students Emily Hudspeth, BS, Housing Coordinator, Dorm Pastor– Off Campus The Benefit of Trials (1:2-4)...... 4 Demonstration of Saving Faith (2:21-26)...... 30 Jerica Bell, Student Body President James Lex, BA, Assistant Director – Media Services The Need for Righteous Wisdom (1:5-8)...... 6 Wrong Words (3:1-12)...... 32 Alicia Hamilton, MBA, Director of Accounting Kahla Jackson, BS, Dorm Pastor – Collins Hall Wise Attitudes for Rich and Poor (1:9-11)...... 8 The World’s Wisdom or God’s Wisdom (3:13-18)...... 34 Jarrod Pace, BA, Director of Admissions Information Systems PJ Bunyard, BS, Dorm Pastor – Bridges Hall, Asst. Football Coach and Communications Avoidance of Worldliness (4:1-10)...... 36 Results of Trials (1:12)...... 10 Michael Sons, MA, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Sandi Barberis, PhD, LMSW, Program Director – Social Work Control of Critical Attitudes (4:11-12)...... 38 Own It (1:13-16)...... 12 Abigail Escamilla, Head RA – Guynes Hall Dennis Robinson, Ed.D., Dean of Graduate Studies Defeat of Godless Self-Confidence (4:13-17)...... 40 God Gives the Word (1:17-19a)...... 14 Andrew Hurst, MA, Public Relations Manager Matthew Goode, MFA, DMin., Asst. Professor – College of Music and The Problem Within (5:1-6)...... 42 Communication Arts Denziel Ortiz, SMA President An Exam Worth Taking (1:19b-21)...... 16 Practice of Endurance (5:7-11)...... 44 Courtney Miller, MOL, Dorm Pastor – Guynes Hall Terry Phipps, MDiv, VP for Student Development Doers of the Word (1:22-25)...... 18 Avoiding Oaths (5:12)...... 46 Jordan Rose, Head RA – Teeter Hall Erica Kemper, MBA, Assistant Advertising Director Right Words and Actions (1:26-27)...... 20 Prayer of Faith (5:13-21)...... 48 Melody Gray Block, ABD, CFP, MBA, CKA, Asst. Professor – Business Andrea Bunyard, AA, LPN, Campus Nurse Don’t Pick Favorites (2:1-4)...... 22 Caleb Essick, BS, Dorm Pastor – Teeter Hall Consequences of Favoritism (2:5-11)...... 24 Steve Fiedler, BA, Director of Marketing and Communications THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:1 Dean Meche

Introduction

This year’s theme for the devotional guide and overall school year is a shortcomings), I find myself fighting with what I call “psycho thoughts” on “Faith that Works.” I love the simplicity of the cover of this year’s guide. a daily basis – things that I think in my brain that cannot be mentioned The theme itself is a play on words and I like the way the cover fits into audibly or performed in action publicly. It is because I have a “mini-me” that. Works, in and of themselves, do not necessarily create faith, but around that thinks everything I say is gospel. works do display the faith that goes on within. The external displays the We’re definitely prone for mistakes and we won’t always hit the internal. A smile or a laugh or a frown or growl reflects the attitude we bull’s eye on the target, but our life in Christian discipleship makes us have within us at the time. What James tries to communicate to Jewish constantly aware that there is a world around us like my “mini-me” that Christians in the overall feel of the book is to be consistent with both hears our words and witnesses our actions. The following devotionals their words AND their actions that arise from within their hearts as they written by faculty, staff, and your peers provide great morsels of practical worship Jesus with their lives. wisdom that speak into how to have a “faith that works” as we live out When my twin daughters were born, I was overjoyed and in awe our lives together as a community of faith this next year. My prayer for several years at the blessings God had given me in such small for you this year is that “in word or deed” (Col 3:17), you magnificently packages. I knew that little girls have a natural affinity for their fathers display the splendor of God’s presence in your life this year. when they are shown love, so for some reason, I wasn’t overtly nervous with raising girls for a long time…until pre-adolescence began, that is. . Notes . My thinking was that I could claim ignorance with the girls since I had ______no concept of what female identity consisted of, but I was an expert ______in what the male identifies himself with and the struggles that men have (not that any gender has more struggles than the other – I’m just ______consciously aware of masculinity). When my son was born, however, it ______scared me. It wasn’t that anything was wrong with him or that anything ______bad was going to happen, per se. I was scared of the fact that I now had ______a “mini-me” that was probably going to mimic and copy everything I said ______and did. There was something cool about that in my brain, but it also ______carried a tremendous weight of responsibility. I’ve always tried to lead by ______example with others, but this little person was probably going to follow ______me around and repeat every word and copy my every action. Over time, ______those thoughts became facts. Even though it’s extremely awesome (despite the things I constantly have to address and fix because of my ______

2 3 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:2-4 Jerica Bell

The benefit of trials

Have you ever gone on an adventure, whether hiking, camping, • Perseverance: They persevered even when it got tough. They swimming, etc. that seemed so difficult that you just wanted to give trusted in God to help themselves persevere to the very end. up? It’s always better when you have someone there pushing you There is such a reward at the end of the adventure- especially along. While the adventure takes a lot of energy and effort out of us when we do it with God! to complete the tasks that seem impossible, once you complete and Exalting glory to God should be the center of everything we do— finish your goal everything seems worth it. All the tears, sweat, pain, and especially in our trials and tribulations. It does not have to be a big soreness paid off! Those are the adventures you remember—those are issue—just take a leap of faith and rely on His faithfulness to help any the memories and moments that mean the most. In the same way, we issue big or small. This is not a one-time thing! Be consistent. God has go through trials in life where we often want to give up, but God never called you to live in peace glorifying him in your highs and lows. asks you to walk alone. He wants to be there to help push, guide, and encourage us when we are going through the adventures and trials of Ask yourself: life when we can’t seem to go on. 1. Is there a trial or tribulation in my life that I need to put God at In the passage, James is writing to the twelve tribes throughout the center? the nations about daily issues and difficulties that Christians face. 2. What steps can I take to place God in the center (prayer, worship, James mentions that he knows the nations will face trials, but kindly bible study, counsel)? encourages them that all they must do is trust and hope in God 3. Am I glorifying God in the highs and the lows? through difficult seasons and moments of life. It is imperative that we have faith established in God because “the testing of your faith Notes produces perseverance.” James writes his letter to help encourage and strengthen that perseverance needed to push on. With God’s ______perseverance in our lives in the difficult moments, we have the strength ______to push on and “be mature and complete” with our relationship with ______God. James reminds us that to succeed in our missions we need to rely ______on God in everything we do. ______The two things that the Church in the nations did: ______• Trust in God: They trusted and had faith in God that no matter ______what their trial was whether how small or big of a trial, tribulation, ______or difficult season. ______

4 5 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:5-8 Alicia hamilton

The Need for Righteous Wisdom

We tend to think we are smarter than we actually are. There is diluted my faith in God’s character because of my tendency to think I no doubt that God has gifted us with abilities that we should use to can handle things on my own. glorify him and build up others, however, when we face situations in We all need wisdom from God. The good news is it doesn’t make us which we don’t have an immediate answer, our tendency is to turn weak to ask God for wisdom. This passage encourages believers to inward to ourselves instead of to our creator who gives us wisdom. come to God and ask for wisdom first before we go about solving the Many times, when I’ve been faced with a difficult situation I have problem ourselves. God’s promise is that when we ask for wisdom, turned to my own wisdom and as a result, I diluted my faith in God. our generous God will give it to us. Dear, believer - ask God for his From my perspective, if I could only work harder, learn more about wisdom today! the subject, get more organized, make more connections with those Ask yourself: in authority, and gather more resources, I could solve the problem ahead of me. Have you ever done that? 1. When you face difficult situations, do you first turn to your own wisdom, or do you first seek God’s wisdom? My guess is that if we are honest with ourselves, we have all been there. Turning to God in prayer for wisdom can sometimes seem like 2. Do you consider it an act of divided loyalty to depend on your something we do when we are out of options, instead of what we do own wisdom instead of putting your full faith in God alone? How before we begin to work on the problem. have you seen that play out in your own life? James implores believers to ask God for wisdom, but not only Notes that – when we ask God for wisdom to not have any doubt, nor be ______divided in our loyalty to God (v. 6). It is a humbling realization to ______understand that dependence on myself is an act of divided loyalty ______towards God. What does James say happens to those who are divided in loyalty? They should not expect to receive anything from ______the Lord (v. 7). ______I don’t know about you but reading this immediately makes me want to fall on my face before the Lord and ask forgiveness for my ______sinful heart and for my doubt in him. The truth is, that my own wisdom ______is unstable (v. 8). It’s like building a house of cards. My own wisdom ______can look wonderful to others on the outside, but God knows what’s ______going on at the heart level. My loyalty to God is divided, and I have ______

6 7 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:9-11 Jarrod pace Wise Attitudes for Rich and Poor

Money plays such a central part of our lives. We need money to eat, ourselves, whether rich or poor, we need to boast in the position we have buy clothes, pay bills, put gas in our car, pay for tuition and textbooks, in the Kingdom of God which has no ties to earthly wealth or processions. and a seemingly endless list of other items. From the time we were Bottom line: whether you are lowly or wealthy, seek Jesus and boast in kids and wanted that toy in the store, the concept of money has been the status he has given you as a member in His Kingdom. imprinted in our minds. I would dare to say that not a day passes without the thought of money coming to mind in some way. Money is a part of life and has been for most of human history. So, how should we approach it? Let me ask you a question…do you consider yourself rich or poor? I’m willing to bet that you most likely responded with poor. After all, the term “broke college student” is used for a reason. But this idea of rich and poor is very subjective. While I would not consider myself rich by any means, Notes my five-year-old daughter thinks I am one of the wealthiest people in the world. To her there always seems to be money for Chick-Fil-A or a ______Bahama Bucks Snow Cone. In her eyes, I am rich! She thinks I am rich ______simply because I have more money than she does in her piggy bank. ______Whether we view ourselves as rich or poor, which is something that ______can fluctuate throughout life, James tells us how we should approach ______our wealth status. Depending on the translation, James first tells “the ______lowly brother” or “believers who are poor” or “believers in humble ______circumstances” to boast in their exaltation or high position. None of ______these translations seem to give any reason for this person to think that ______they are exalted; but James is writing to Christians who are without ______wealth. Their exaltation is in Christ! In contrast, James tells the rich ______to boast in their humiliation. Realizing that their wealth is temporary, ______gains them no status before God. Both the rich and poor are to boast in something, but it is not their wealth. As Christians, we cannot allow our ______wealth status to identify us and consume us. No matter how we may see ______

8 9 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:12 sandi barberis

Results of Trials

Who do you follow and why? Lastly, I am reminded of the words of an old hymn: “I have decided No doubt each of us has suffered trials of many types and depths. to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” The COVID-19 pandemic affected every single person on some Ask yourself: level. Our lives were turned upside down. Some lost loved ones, 1. Who are the persons you follow? Do they unite or divide? jobs, financial security, and peace, deep inner peace. Divisions also heightened because of political differences, the death of George 2. How can you lead others in the ways of Christ? Floyd and racial tensions. Other trials in your personal life may be a result of division; a shattered relationship with a family member, friend, or a boyfriend/ girlfriend. It hurts deeply! In these seasons of trials, who do you follow? Who do you run to? Jesus reminds us to “count it all joy” as we face trials in our lives. Notes In my personal life-challenges, my first response to a trial was usually ______not one of joy. Many years ago, the very first time that I had a vision ______of Jesus was when I was walking on the beach and crying because ______of a broken relationship. I saw him holding me as if I was a little girl ______crying on his shoulder. The comfort that vision brought was beyond ______words. My encouragement is to follow (or even run) to Jesus. He ______meets us in ways that can forever change us. ______Trials can easily cause division among us, and we may choose ______to follow the Paul’s and Peter’s or an Apollos’ in our lives (or in ______our current time, social media, news sources, pastors, family, and ______friends). Is it wrong to seek advice from others we trust? Of course ______not, but we are first and foremost, followers of Jesus himself. Let ______us be “rooted and established” imitators of the King and Wonderful ______Counselor. Our hope and faith are in Christ. ______

10 11 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:13-16 dennis robinson Own It

When I was a young man, I hung out with Air Force fighter pilots; I was have dealt with what is most common in men, but ladies you have your own an Electronic Warfare Officer in the F4G Phantom fighter jet (google some versions. Whatever your temptation is there is only one answer: “Walk in images). I was Goose from the movie Top Gun! Those guys were tough; the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh,” Galatians 5:16. For me many were hard drinkers, some were womanizers, and most were full that means start the day with scripture and prayer, and attempt to meditate of themselves. Bravado would be a good word to describe them. They on it throughout the day, keeping Christ at the center of my life. His word also loved porn. I was flying in the era when there were no women in the grows beauty within us, our own flesh only brings misery and death. Own it. fighter squadron, except for the pictures of the naked ones you could see Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are playing with temptation in most offices. One squadron I was in kept “training films” (porn) playing and dabbling with sin. When he shows you, repent, ask for forgiveness, in the lounge all the time. It was impossible to avoid it. Although I never then ask for His help in overcoming it. It doesn’t matter if it has been an purchased it, and tried not to look at it, it was there. The images I saw in ongoing problem, the Father’s mercies are renewed every morning. those years are still stuck in my brain and come up--sometimes at the most inopportune moments. Pick a scripture, maybe the one at the top of this page, and meditate on it today—think about it every chance you get and watch how the Holy Own it: Dr. Phil uses that phrase a lot, and I feel like it is at the core of Spirit will use it to develop spiritual strength in you. He will make today a this scripture passage. It is our own evil desires that entice us to sin, and good day, and one day at a time you will grow stronger than you were the once we entertain them, they grow into sin, and we carry it out. When I day before. was a senior officer in the Air Force, I ran into another officer I had flown with 15 years prior. When I knew him as a young man, he had a wife and Notes five sons. By this time, he was on his third wife, she was much younger than him and he loved to talk about their physical relationship. But he had ______pictures of the boys in his office. I asked him about them, and he said one ______of the saddest things I had ever heard. He told me they didn’t speak to ______him much, probably because of the way his first marriage ended—in an ______adulterous affair—and he laughed a little. His evil desire was lust, he had ______given in to it, and it had cost him what was most precious in his life—his ______sons—and he laughed about it. Own it gentlemen, own it ladies, we are our ______own worst enemies, and our own desires will destroy us if we let them. We ______live in an evil world, surrounded by sin and sinners and Satan would lie to you and tell you that you can handle a little bit. YOU CAN’T! You need to ______push temptation away with both hands. Temptation comes in many forms. I ______

12 13 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:17-19a MAtthew goode

God gives the word

When my older brother turned 18 years old, my father bought him a In doing so, we can reach the God-purposed potential of being the first brand-new truck. Fast-forward two years to my 18th birthday and you fruits of His creation, made in His image—a reflection of who He is! And can imagine how excited I was at the thought of what my present might what makes His gifts good and perfect is that as we use them, our lives be (or how fast it might go). Unlike my brother’s gift, what I received begin to glorify Him. did not have four wheels, nor did it go “vroom-vroom.” No! What I got I no longer have those old golf clubs. Ironically, my brother with the instead was my dad’s old golf clubs. I was sorely disappointed. Though new truck does. However, the lessons I have learned throughout the I had taken into consideration that the financial climate had changed for years concerning maturity, fatherhood, and being on both the giving my father between those two pinnacle birthdays, I had held out hope and receiving ends of gifts has been priceless…and it all started with an that he would still come through for me like he did for my brother. The immature and entitled reaction toward an undelivered expectation. golf clubs went straight into the closet, and I’ve never had much of a golf-game because of their lack of use. If you want faith that works, God has given you the gift of His Word. Allow it to mature you as you live a life that reflects His goodness. Now a father of boys myself, I have come to realize a couple of things: (1) most children are very self-absorbed and entitled—even 18-year-olds, Ask yourself: (2) most parents sacrifice to give their children gifts that will allow them 1. How might my life change if I gratefully receive and activate to succeed in life. You see, my father gave a valuable and thoughtful God’s word? present to me that birthday—a gift that would allow me to slow down, contemplate, and work on myself, if I would only choose to put them to Notes work. Yet on my very first day as an adult, I acted like an ungrateful child. ______James writes, “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 first fruits of all he created” (1:17-18). ______Did you catch that? God only gives good and perfect gifts to us and ______the most valuable and thoughtful of His gifts—the gift that can move us ______from children of God into fully mature men and women of God is the ______Word of Truth. What a good and perfect gift to receive, but that gift does us no good if kept packed away. No! We must read it, and let it read us— ______slowing us down, allowing us to contemplate and work on ourselves. ______

14 15 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:19b-21 courtney miller

An Exam Worth Taking

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” transform and reveal things in our lives and in others’ lives. Salvation Check-in. Examine. Process. Repeat. should continually produce a transformative and renewing within us. You have to repeatedly hit the pause button on life. Have you ever caught yourself after an outburst of emotion or a heightened reaction and thought, “Where did that come from?” It Check-in with yourself. Examine what needs purged. Process how to takes humility to become real with yourself and with others to be put it into action. And repeat. able to identify the filth that is within us that needs purged. Whether Ask yourself: you’ve been inconvenienced or feel an injustice is at hand, our anger 1. Out of the three guideposts which do you need to work on the most? expressed on the platform of doing it in the Lord’s righteousness only detracts and distracts from what He’s truly trying to do in our lives and 2. If there is something that needs purged from your life, what life- in the lives of those around us. giving substitute will replace it? James gives three guideposts in verse 19 to know how we are doing Notes when we self-examine. 1) Are we quick to listen? Listening allows us to hear and empathize with the other person… IF we are listening to ______understand instead of listening to respond. 2) Are we slow to speak? ______If you’re the only one talking, you’ll never learn from others. 3) Are we ______slow to become angry? He’s not saying you’ll never get angry, but are ______you slow to get angry? Is it in the right context? When we come with ______our own opinion, agenda, or offenses it’s hard to listen. It’s hard not to ______speak out of turn, and it’s hard not to get angry. ______It takes humility to search within ourselves and answer the question, ______“What am I filling myself with?” We must be willing to receive correction ______in order to identity the things within us that need purged. We don’t ______want things in us to detract, distract, or confuse us from the will of God. ______Verse 21 refers to the Word being planted within us. The Word is ______placed in our heart, but it must be watered and tended to. It must be ______cultivated. A listening heart, an understanding Spirit, and a peaceful ______demeanor won’t be produced overnight. The Word has the power to ______

16 17 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:22-25 jordan rose

doers of the word

Dr. Tony Evans spoke of a journey that we all must take if we breathe something that reveals your identity the more you learn about the air. It is the journey of life. Inadvertently, we will have obstacles along heart of your Creator. When you walk away, you forget what you look our journey like quicksand, animal attacks, and even horrid weather; like. James finishes by explaining the word of God as ‘perfect law but what if there were a map. A map directly tells us where to look out that gives freedom and will ‘bless you’. God’s word is never to hurt for these obstacles and even shows us how to avoid them. How well you. Its purpose is to free you. Going back to the map analogy; if you you prioritize that map will dictate how well you do on that journey. understand how to avoid and triumph over obstacles, your journey will The word of God is that map. be so much freer. James is speaking to believers who are scattered across regions— Ask yourself: most likely due to the persecution in Jerusalem after Stephen (Acts 1. What should the role of God’s Word be in your life? Is it? 7). James is telling these believers to consider it pure joy to be persecuted because it will strengthen their faith and their trust in 2. How can you meditate on the Word more intentionally? God. He is reminding His audience that the presence of evil does not negate the existence of a God but shall rather force us to depend Notes on Him so much more. In the verse before, James says that we must ______rid ourselves of moral filth and evil that is evident all around us and accept the word of God. ______That is when James begins to speak of being doers and not mere ______hearers of the word. James is trying to address the importance of God’s word and show that those who truly understand the power of ______His word will not just look at it but will love it and allow it to dwell. If ______someone is on a train track and begins to hear a train, will they just ______listen to the train and not move? No, because upon hearing that train, ______that warning requires adjustments of positioning. When we read ______the word and do not move, we are hearing something that requires ______an adjustment of positioning yet refusing to make it. That is why ______James calls mere-hearers ‘deceivers’. Hearers deceive themselves ______by merely acknowledging the truth, and not doing anything with it. ______This is why James makes that analogy because the word of God is ______

18 19 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:26-27 melody gray block

Right Words and Actions

Have you been tempted to escalate a conflict, pass on gossip, or fan James also reminds us to keep the world from corrupting us. How the fire of discord or division? Sadly, today we see too many people can we do this? We can do this by committing ourselves to Christ’s saying or posting misleading or divisive statements on social media ethical and moral system, not the world’s system. The world’s value or communicating with others such as teachers, parents, peers, or system is rooted in the love of money, abusive power, and selfish subordinates. We can easily be enticed or persuaded by misplaced pleasure (James 4:4; Deut. 11:16; 1 John 3:17-19; Rom 12:2; 1 John 2:15- desires, jealousy, or pressures from our society. Unfortunately, when 17). If we find ourselves contaminated with such values, we lack true this occurs, we deceive or mislead others and ourselves. Conversely, faith and hinder our influence to make a positive impact in the world the Lord calls His people to live up to a higher standard of living. for God’s glory. James reminds us of the importance of placing a tight rein on our Until we are willing to do our part in the Kingdom, we cannot live tongue (James 1:26; James 3:26). Why is this so important? If we do up to the call the Lord has placed on our lives. As we continue to be not watch what we say or post, then we open the door to the enemy. faithful in the little things, seek the Lord with all of our heart, attune our We may unintentionally say things without thinking, which may hurt ears to hear His voice, and walk as the Lord directs, we will experience others. This could easily happen if we feel silenced or are exhausted clarity with each step we take. Brothers and Sisters, may we not have a from the demands of life. No matter the reason or situation, we must passive adoration of God, but instead, live intentionally through active remind ourselves that restraining our lips is prudent and wise (Prov. obedience to be excellent in all we do so we can represent the Lord 10:19). We must guard our heart as out of the heart flows the issues of well and be about our Father’s business throughout the world. life (Prov. 4:23). The next time you catch yourself having unrestrained Ask yourself: lips, then step away and immediately take it to the Lord. Pray for His wisdom and discernment in the situation. When you do this, the Lord 1. What was one thing that jumped out to you in reading this scripture? promises that you will see good days ahead of you (1 Peter 3:10). 2. How can you apply this in your life to serve others and represent The Lord calls each of us to be salt and light to the world. Therefore, the Lord better this week? we are called to build each other up and not tear each other down Notes (Ephesians 4:29). He calls us to honor one another above ourselves (Rom 12:10). By looking after orphans, widows, and others in distress, ______we can demonstrate true religion (James 1:27; Is. 1:16-17). When we ______give without expecting anything in return, we show what it means to ______serve others and express God’s love in this world (Prov. 21:26). ______

20 21 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 2:1-4 caleb essick Don’t Pick Favorites

Over the last two years as a Dorm Pastor, I have played the game I believe that today, the sin of favoritism that most of us deal with “spill your guts or fill your guts” countless times. If you are not familiar, happens on the inside in our own “evil thoughts” more than we notice the game basically has two or three people in front of an audience who it on the outside. God does not just care about our actions and making take turns getting asked a question. When asked a question, you can those line up with His desires, but He cares enough about us to change us choose to answer honestly or eat whatever disgusting concoction is in from the inside, so we even start to think about people the way He does. front of you. This might range from drinking hot sauce to blended liver When He looks at us, He does not see what we wear, how we talk, how sausage with mustard or even pickled pig’s feet. Inevitably, every time much money we make, our education level, or even our sin. All He sees is I have played this game one of the questions is something along the one of His children, whom He loves. And if we allow God to transform our lines of “rank your RAs from favorite to least favorite” and I end up eating thinking, that is what we will see when we look at others too. something absolutely horrible. Ask yourself: Each time this question has come up, it has always been easy to 1. In what subtle ways have I judged people in my own “evil thoughts”? choose the disgusting food item over ranking the RAs I work with. I think most believers don’t have a problem with this surface-level favoritism 2. How have I treated people differently based on my perception and we don’t start to struggle until it gets a little deeper. While this is a of them? passage many are familiar with, it’s often just remembered with the simple Pray for God to change your mindset to see and treat people the phrase “don’t show favoritism” and nothing more. We think that as long way He does. as we don’t show it, we are in the clear. As long as we are not obviously treating people differently based on what they are wearing, how they talk, Notes or what job they have, then we don’t struggle with this issue at all right? ______What James is talking about goes beyond this surface-level of ______favoritism that we are used to avoiding. He really drives it home in verse ______4 when he says that we “become judges with evil thoughts”. The sin in ______James’ example is not just the outward expression of how the two men ______were treated differently, but it was the inward thoughts and motivations that led to the outward expression. When I play “spill your guts or fill your ______guts” even if I never rank my RAs, if I think about it and start making a list ______in my head and then treat them differently based on who I like more, I’m ______just as guilty as if I answered the question out loud. ______

22 23 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 2:5-11 steve fiedler

Consequences of Favoritism

We live in a world that is prone to show favoritism. We often judge Conversely, when you show favoritism, very plainly he says, you are others by looking at their outward appearance. We use things like the sinning. You are missing the mark when you show favoritism for one size of their house, or the type of car they drive, or the title beside their over another. And the stark reality is that the very law you claim to be a name, as a gauge to how we should treat them. Unfortunately, those that follower of, is the same law that says, “you are missing it.” have more “stuff” generally get treated better, and those with less often Don’t miss it. Don’t fall into the trap of showing favoritism. get treated, well…not as good. The Gospel is built on the premise that “God so love the world (komizo) In James 2:9, James says, “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are John 3:16. God so loved the cosmos, literally the world and all of its convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” The word James uses in verse inhabitants. Regardless of your stature in this world. Whether you are rich 9 “But if you show favoritism…” is the Greek word prosópolémpteó. It or poor. Whether you have a lot or a little. God loves you just the same, means to have respect of persons; to show partiality. and if we are believers, we get it right when we love others in the same James is pointing back to verses 5-8 where he is contrasting the way that God loves us. treatment of the poor versus the rich. He points out the fact that just because someone might be poor (in the eyes of the world), that does Notes not give you a license to treat them poorly. ______Keep in mind, James is writing to Jewish believers. These are ______believers that have the law. They observe and keep the law, and as a ______reminder, James points them back to the foundation of the law, “Love ______your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus uses the same language in response ______to the question from the religious leaders, “of all the commandments, ______which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28). To which Jesus replied, the most important one is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with ______all of your mind, and with all of your strength (Mark 12:30). The second ______one is this, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Mark 12:31). ______James goes on to say, If you do this (love your neighbor as yourself), ______“you are doing right.” The word used here is kalós. The word is ______translated, well, nobly, honorably, rightly. In other words, when you love ______your neighbor as yourself, you are getting it right. ______

24 25 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 2:12-13 Brandy slusher

mercy over judgement

“Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of freedom. For It’s easier for a person to choose judgment over mercy, but, as judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy Christians, it is our responsibility to be more like Christ and show triumphs over judgment.” Let’s break this down! compassion whenever possible. Jesus gave us the ultimate example What is Judgment? Judgment is the ability to make considered when He died in our place for our sins. Our sins were already judged. decisions or come to sensible conclusions. What is Mercy? Mercy The punishment was Hell, but God intervened. He gave us a way out is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone who is to be through Jesus. As Christ showed us, we now must show others. punished or harmed instead. So, what now? Reflection: How often are you quick to judge a person based on “Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of freedom.” their appearance, words, or actions? How often are you quick to judge We need to behave and talk as if we are going to be put onto a pedestal yourself? Is there a way for you to change how you react before you and everything that we do or have done is going to be judged by God’s settle on judgment? standards and expectations. By showing mercy with our words and actions, then in turn, our actions and words will be judged with mercy. Notes “For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn’t shown mercy.” ______If we have not shown mercy, our life is forfeit from mercy. God will judge ______us harshly and that punishment will be death and separation from Him ______for eternity. ______“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” With mercy in our lives, actions, and ______words, judgment will not hurt us. Our judgment will not be death, but life. ______Mercy must reign in our lives and seep into others. ______It is not easy to live a life of mercy when the world around us is ______constantly judging you and others. It is also not easy to give up on ______judging people when it has been ingrained into our lives as a way of ______life. Use this time to focus on when you are judging people and how, ______interrupt that pattern of judgment, and then take responsibility of those ______thoughts and words that are gathering in your heart and mind. Turn it ______around and make progress by showing mercy instead of reacting on ______those hateful thoughts and actions. ______

26 27 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 2:14-20 emily hudspeth No Works, No Faith

I was about four years old when I sat in Sunday School, and raised James is communicating that faith without works cannot save us. Not my hand to accept Jesus into my heart. It felt so exciting! I loved it so because it is the works that saves us, but because faith without works much that I raised my hand the next week. And the next week. They had is not actually faith at all. Works and faith are not meant to stand alone. to have my mom tell me to stop. From that moment, my journey with Genuine faith transforms us, and a sign of true faith is that it produces the Lord began. I grew up in a Christian home, and my parents were good works in the life of the believer. The gospel changes lives! It’s a life intentional with making church and learning the Bible apart of my life. I transforming grace that brings about holiness in the life of the believer. knew a lot of things about the Bible and God. However, it would be years I once heard a Pastor tell the story of a missionary, who was before I would begin to make the switch from not just knowing about approached by a native in the tribe that he was spending time with. God but knowing God as my Father. Until that switch was made, I see the The native said to the man “I want to know what you are teaching.” knowledge that I had of the truth, and the ways that I loved the people The missionary asked, “Have you ever heard the gospel?” The native that I encountered. There was a disconnect between the two. This type responded, “No, I have only seen it.” He went on to describe the person of disconnection is what James is addressing in verses 14-20. A believer that showed it to him. People should be able to experience the gospel not can’t choose to either have faith or to do works. It’s not a buy one pick just by our faith, but because through our actions. Because the presence one gig. The two go hand in hand and are only complete with the other. of the Father is evident in us, and meeting us, is encountering Him. The general theme of this passage is faith without works is dead, but James really takes it a step further. He warns us that if someone says that Notes they have faith in God, but neglect the poor, then their faith is dead. Their ______actions betray what Jesus says. Genuine faith is being obedient to the ______Father. Let’s take a look at the story of the Good Samaritan. Three people ______came across a traveler that was beat up and robbed. The first two men that walked past the traveler were a priest and a Levite. This means that ______they were highly respected religious figures in the Jewish community ______and were educated in the law. The third man to walk by was a Samaritan. ______Even though Samaritans and Jews despised each other, he chose to help ______the traveler. The priest and the Levite failed to live out the essence of the ______law that they taught others: love your neighbor as yourself. Their religion ______was worthless because what they claimed to believe in their minds didn’t ______result in changed hearts and behaviors. ______

28 29 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 2:21-26 James lex Demonstration of Saving Faith

“You’re a 5 for sure!” What? I had no idea what this person was When James mentions Rahab, does he discuss her descendants, talking about. (I mean, if we’re going to rate each other like we’re back which includes being the great, great grandmother of David and a proud in high school, I was a 6 out of 10…maybe 7 on a good day?) Turns member of Jesus’ lineage (Matt. 1:6)? Once again, James forgoes the out, this person was trying to place me on the Enneagram—a system obvious accolades so he can remind everyone of a single time she to categorize personalities. While I still don’t know what Enneagram welcomed a few strangers into her home. A simple request to provide number I am, what I have learned is that everyone approaches life a place to stay reciprocated by generous hospitality with no hesitation differently, and that includes how we approach our faith and the over what it might cost. That was righteousness. Putting your faith into righteousness that comes through faith. The achievers tend to think action is often a simple and humbling experience. It doesn’t need to be righteousness can be measured in how many things they can do, the life-altering; it just needs to be intentional. Like Abraham and Rahab, helpers tend to judge their righteousness by the way they helped others, we may have no idea that a single choice we make in faith can alter the and the thinkers still aren’t sure if either of those are a good method. course of our lives and families for generations. But, if we’re already in And God bless the perfectionists, who are trained experts in lying in bed the habit, we’ll be ready when the opportunity presents itself. Consistent at night and overthinking if that interaction they had earlier in the day obedience develops a lifestyle of helping others, obeying God, and was truly righteous, or if it just seemed good at the time! trusting Him with the outcome. That is righteousness. We weren’t the first to wrestle with these ideas. The early church Ask yourself: consisted of people like you and me who believed in Jesus but 1. Like Rahab, how can you welcome someone into your inner circle? struggled with what it meant to be righteous. James wrote to the first century Jews to clarify the confusion and offered a few examples of 2. Like Abraham, what part of your life are you willing to give up to righteousness that perhaps we can apply to our daily life. First, he develop a stronger relationship with God? recalls the story of Abraham (2:21), a figure his readers would have instantly known for being the patriarch of millions. In fact, the correlation Notes between Abraham’s faith and his offspring is so obvious, the author of ______Hebrews detailed how Abraham’s faith directly resulted in descendants ______“as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on ______the seashore” (Heb. 11:21). James, however, takes the road less traveled, ______selecting a more humbling story about the evidence of Abraham’s faith: ______the time when he was asked to sacrifice the promised heir. A simple, yet devastating request from God was reciprocated by humble obedience ______from Abraham. That was righteousness. ______

30 31 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 3:1-12 kahla jackson wrong words

It is one of the most common mishaps in life: saying something you on our own. This is an area where every person is desperate need of shouldn’t have. Whether it is a joke taken too far, a whispered comment help. The good news is that we have a God who wants to help. Jesus that is overheard or harsh words spoken out of emotion, we have all gave us the Holy Spirit as the Helper who would be with us forever. He seen the damage a misplaced word can do. At one time or another we knew that we couldn’t conquer this alone and never expected us to. The have all felt the sting of the words of others toward us and we’ve all great invitation of the passage is not to be discouraged by our failures been on the other side giving the painful words ourselves. If we know and imperfections but instead to run to the One who is perfect and the power that negative words hold, why is it that we all still make the transforms us until we are like Him. mistake of using them? James would say in v. 2, “For we all stumble in Ask yourself: many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” 1. What is an area of my life where I need help today? The only people who don’t struggle with their words, are perfect 2. How can I depend on the Lord for my help instead of myself? people. Unfortunately, that means we will all stumble in this area of our lives. James goes on to tell us just how serious the situation is. He Notes compares the tongue to the small spark that brings on a massive forest fire. Beyond the external consequences of our words, James goes on ______to say that when we bless God but curse others, we actually show the ______state of our internal lives as well. Just as the fruit of a tree is proof of the ______seeds that were planted there, the words we say are clear indicators of ______what has taken root in our hearts. ______Even though James 3 is a stern warning, I believe it can also be seen ______as a beautiful invitation. James draws our attention to the problem ______of wrong speaking and shows just how dangerous it can be to allow ______our words to be out of control. Yes, taming the tongue can only be ______accomplished by someone perfect. However, that doesn’t make it ______impossible, it simply means we will need help. Dependence on the Lord ______is the only way to gain control of our words. ______This answer is simple but not necessarily easy. In our culture, it may ______not feel natural to admit that there is something we can’t accomplish ______

32 33 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 3:13-18 pj bunyard

The World’s Wisdom or God’s Wisdom

All too often we seek advice of strangers, celebrities, neighbors or Ask Yourself: even hairdressers or barbers. Whether it be through the daily gossip of 1. What is my greatest influence, God’s Wisdom or Worldly Knowledge? work, or our social media feeds of everyone else’s highlight reel. We are so quick to entrust decision making and support from people who aren’t 2. Have I surrounded myself with people who share God’s Vision and linked to the mission and purpose God has given us. We will seek the purpose for my life? knowledge of the world through people who are of the world and fail to recognize that we have replaced the wisdom of God with the knowledge of the world. In the passage above James is making a clear distinction of Wisdom from God, or Wisdom from the world. The distinction is clear when wisdom becomes action. This is a hard message to hear and really challenges us to shed the hypocrisy and lies and entrust ourselves and our lives to the Wisdom of God. James goes as far as to compare Notes the wisdom of the world to sensual, or unspiritual and even says its ______demonic. As harsh as this may seem, it is imperative we do not fall victim ______to selfish ambition and worldly knowledge, but instead, focus on the ______wisdom of God which is pure, peaceable, gentle, full of Mercy and good ______fruit. If we truly reap what we sow, and we sow worldly knowledge we ______will reap the envying and strife that comes with it. However, if we sow ______the fruit of the spirit and God’s wisdom, we will reap peace. ______In a culture and time where we adapt to our environment and are ______so heavily influenced by the social temperature of what is happening ______“right now”. We can easily get confused as to what is pure and good. It has become ever more important that we as Christians are always ______surrounding ourselves with people who share our beliefs, mission, and ______vision for what God has for our life. Not excluding the world, or the ______people in it, but making a clear distinction in our conversation and by our ______works that we operate out of the wisdom of the Lord. ______

34 35 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 4:1-10 michael sons

Avoidance of Worldliness

What a challenge we have as Christians to constantly fight off the Notes temptations of this world we live in! I have found that this can only be done with God’s help. The square root of getting caught up in fulfilling worldly ______desires we are presented with is selfishness. Here is a great story of ______someone who was caught up in what he would look like in a situation and ______his eyes were taken off the goal: ______I was in middle school, and I was playing church league basketball. ______Because it was church league there was a very broad age range and so ______there were lots of guys better than me. Because it was church league, I got ______to play at least two minutes every quarter. So, they put me in just after the ______half and I get the ball and start dribbling towards a wide-open goal. There ______is no one in my way. I hear the other team yelling, “Stop him! Stop him! He’s going to score!” What I didn’t realize was that it was my own teammates ______yelling out. You see we had switched goals at the half. The goal I was ______headed towards was now our opponents’ goal. The sad part is that I shot ______the ball and missed before I realized that I was headed the wrong way. I was ______more concerned with making a goal than playing with my team. I’ve never ______been so happy to miss a goal in my life! ______We find ourselves in predicaments and problems when we take our ______focus off our goal and our Savior. The book of James reminds us that we ______have to become selfless so that we don’t miss God in our lives. We must ______also remember that the Lord’s mercy is new every morning. I begin every ______morning with a simple prayer, “Lord I want to be useful today, help me be ______useful to you today”. I encourage you today to stay humble. Ask the Lord ______to remind you that there is always a way out of temptation when you are presented with it. ______If you focus on taking… you’ll never have enough. If you focus on GIVING… ______you’ll never run out. We must become less, so that He becomes greater!

36 37 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 4:11-12 abigail escamilla Control of Critical Attitudes

The tongue and our words can carry great power, but attitudes and believers and followers do not hold that power, therefore, we should not actions communicate the intentions of the heart. be acting as we do but rather take control of any judgmental attitudes. In the verses leading up to 11 and 12, James begins with telling James then goes on to ask an important question in verse 12 – “who the recipients that their hearts and minds need to be changed. They are you to judge your neighbor?” Upon reading this question, we are needed to repent and turn from their wicked way; however, he follows reminded of the parable Jesus tells in Luke 10 of the Good Samaritan. these commands with a call to love and respect those around them. While the priest and Levite carried an attitude of entitlement and He advises to not “slander one another” or “speak against” each other. judgment, the Samaritan approached the man with compassion and love. James advises them not to do so because the recipients of this letter In the same way, we should first react with an attitude of love instead that are most likely Jews, people set apart for the glory of God. Therefore, if of slander or judgment. they are talking ill of each other or having judgmental attitudes, they are Ask yourself: not set apart but instead are adapting to the worldly standard exhibited 1. What does my attitude typically look like when it comes to the around them. This is a reason why it is so important for us today to be actions of friends or even people I am not as close to? aware of the way we are acting and the attitudes we carry. When they are consumed with judgment or gossip of others, we are not living 2. How can I take steps towards improving or controlling an out the life or higher standard Christ has called us to. Even though the immediate negative attitude? world may contain much of these attributes it is critical that these do not become habits in our behavior. Notes James first establishes, in verse 11, that judging one another is wrong ______and results in speaking against the law. He is saying that if you do not ______abide by the law by loving those around you, then you are against ______it because of the judgment in your heart. To clarify, this is judging in ______the sense of determining what is right or wrong based on your own ______perception and holding a brother or sister or even neighbor to that ______standard. Instead of carrying an attitude that drives us to speak out ______against someone, we should be intentional about first exercising compassion. While James points out that having a judgmental attitude or ______slandering is wrong, he then establishes the fact that God is the ultimate ______Judge and is the only one who carries the right to judge anyone. We as ______

38 39 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 4:13-17 andrew hurst Defeat of Godless Self-Confidence

“You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” much greater. Everything changed when I surrendered all parts of my Hoowee...if you are ever struggling with humility, I strongly encourage life to Him, realigning my priorities and identity. My source of confidence you to read the book of James. In verses 13 through 17, James does changed from what my material things said about me to what God says not hold back any punches as he continues to address Christian Jews about me. challenging their understandings of success and, ultimately, their source Apart from the will of God, life can feel without direction. When you of confidence. know Jesus Christ as your Savior, and seek his will for your life, then life It is important to note that Jewish Christians were considered starts to make sense. Simply living for the Lord creates a sense of peace outsiders during this period. Being Jews, they were rejected by the and superior confidence because you are living for eternal things rather Gentiles, and being Christian Jews, they were rejected by other Jews than fleeting moments of admiration from others or worldly pleasures. because of their faith. This deeply affected their ability to live out their There’s no better feeling than knowing you are who God wants you to be faith because they struggled with being set apart from the world they and where God wants you to be. That is real success. lived in. You will see from this passage that rather than daily pursuing As you reflect on this passage, I encourage you to ask yourself: God’s will, they chose to accrue wealth and worldly treasures. They boasted in their “arrogant schemes” to gain admiration from other Jews 1. In what areas of my life am I most confident or boastful, and why? and Gentiles. 2. What kinds of people do I generally characterize as successful? So, how does this apply to you and me? Well, for modern Christians, I Are they godly people? think the line between living “in the world” and “of the world” can often 3. What broken parts or insecurities of mine am I trying to fill with the get blurred. After college, I worked in marketing for a reputable CPA firm world rather than my Savior? and to be honest, I was quite proud of myself. I wore fine dress clothes, had a new car, held my head a little higher as I walked, and loved telling Notes people where I worked. Man, was I confident! But, you know what? It ______was a godless self-confidence. In hindsight, this was actually the most ______unsuccessful and unhappy period of my life. I am certainly not saying that there is anything wrong with prosperity, and you can be very happy, ______fulfilled, and follow God’s will while experiencing prosperity. I am saying ______that my source of unhappiness was God not being the Lord of my life. I ______felt unsuccessful because I wasn’t where God wanted me to be. I sat in ______a cubicle 12 hours a day feeling like I was missing out on something so ______

40 41 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 5:1-6 denziel ortiz

The Problem Within

One of my favorite subjects in middle school was math. I remember our actions. You have the opportunity to not chose this world but to one day in particular. It was right after lunch the bell just rang so we choose God. He has given so much at no cost and yet we still live in our can begin class. The topic that was being taught was how to solve behavior. Let me give you this advice on how to love your neighbor. Look word problems with a large quantity. We began the class by joking at others the way God looks at you with compassion, joy, and excitement around about what we would do if we had a million dollars. After about that you are His! five minutes of going back and forth between students. Our teacher Friends, as we find in James 5. Most of the problems we face is not an stood up and said this phrase “money does not buy you happiness.” It outward battle. It is a problem we find within. all shocked us because being young teens of course we thought that money can buy happiness. It was a few years ago when I started to get Meditate on this scripture and ask yourself a few questions. into community outreach. The memory of my middle school math class 1. What are some areas in my life that I am hoarding up my gifts, came up. It made me stop and ask what I can offer or give that does not money, time? go to waste. The answer that came was Jesus. Jesus is and the only one 2. How can I give more to God to honor his Kingdom? that will not perish or fade away. He is the everlasting. 3. How can I help others to see the importance of having a giving heart? I realized that money or possessions cannot fix your inner problems. The only one that can, is Jesus. Sadly, that was not the case for the Notes people that were being addressed in James 5. James was in a position of addressing the non-believers for their greedy behavior towards ______the poor. James was telling the wealthy that they have hoarded their ______riches. In verse 5, it states this “You have lived on earth in luxury and ______self-indulgence.” They used their money to profit themselves instead ______of profiting the Kingdom. James was in a place of frustration because ______a majority of the wealthy were mistreating the Christians of the time. ______James is explaining that the day of Judgement will be upon them soon. ______From their mistreatment to the poor, they will be punished for their ______actions if they do not put their trust in the Lord. ______How can this be a reminder to us? It can be a reminder that we still live ______in a corrupt world, but it is up to us as Christians to help change that. As ______Christians, we have the opportunity to love others in what we do mainly ______

42 43 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 5:7-11 terry phipps Practice of Endurance

Around the world, these past few years have been very challenging. Notes What was normal no longer exists due to dramatic changes in the economy, politics, war and many other events. Our latest “normal” ______change has come because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I write this as ______the Middle East is exploding with an outbreak of fighting unseen in that ______region for a number of years. I wonder what changes that will bring? ______With all of these things happening in our world, it is easy to begin to ______fear the future, but God is in control. He has not given us a spirit of fear! ______An end to all of this is coming. ______In the face of all that is happening around us, James writes, “Be ______patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” He reminds us ______that no matter what we face there is a better time coming, an end to this ______life as we know it and the beginning of an eternal life with Christ. ______This is one of the central themes of the early church. The New ______Testament refers to the 2nd coming of Christ over 300 times or 1 out of ______every 26 verses. This Blessed Hope is a Living Hope. One day we will ______leave this world to live with Christ forever! ______What do I do until Christ comes? ______1. Live life to the fullest, following the call God has given you. ______2. Live life to the fullest, being an example to others ______3. Live life to the fullest, telling others about Jesus ______4. Live life to the fullest, encouraging others to live Godly lives ______5. Live life to the fullest, waiting patiently for Christ’s return ______We do not know the day or time when that will take place. Until then ______we need to practice patience with the expectation of the hope of Christ’s ______second coming.

44 45 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 5:12 erica garcia avoiding oaths

The first thing that came to mind was when I was a naive kid trying to Notes get my younger brother to believe that what I was saying was the truth. Whether I was trying to convince him that I didn’t eat the last cookie or ______that I didn’t know what he was getting for his birthday, the first thing out ______of my mouth was always along the lines of “I swear on...” to get him to ______see that I was telling the truth. Yikes. ______For kids that don’t completely understand what they are saying, they ______need correcting. If living a life for the Lord, swearing in this way gives off ______the idea that others should not take our word at face value. ______To be clear, this verse is not about using offensive language or taking ______the Lord’s name in vain; it is talking about taking an oath to convince ______someone that what you’re saying is true. ______As Christians, others should take our word because we should always ______have honesty and truth as our base. How we carry ourselves, speak to ______others, and live out our lives should be done in such an honest way that ______our “simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’” should be binding enough. If a friend asks you ______to keep something between the two of you, your response shouldn’t be ______“I promise not to tell,” it should just be, “yes, I will keep it between us.” Choose to be honest and live a life where your word is enough. ______Ask yourself: ______1. Have you ever taken an oath to convince someone that you were ______truthful? If so, why wasn’t your word enough in the first place? ______2. What can you do to live out a life where your simple “yes” or “no” ______is binding enough? ______

46 47 THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 5:13-21 Andrea bunyard

prayer of faith

The prayer of faith is how this section of scripture is titled in scripture. Notes When we think of faith some of us think “oh I have faith, I believe.” Or “I have faith that God will fix this situation that I am in”. The definition of faith ______is the complete confidence in someone or something. Faith does not ______work without prayer. ______This section of scripture talks about faith in a different way. It says, “if ______you are in trouble, pray. If you are sick, pray. If you are happy, praise” This ______passage talks about Elijah and how he prayed for no rain for three and ______a half years and the Lord answered his prayer. Then he prayed that God ______would make it rain and it did. Elijah had faith that the Lord would answer ______his prayers and he did. Elijah had faith because he had a relationship with the Lord through prayer. ______In our lives today, faith and prayer still go hand in hand. When you pray, ______you develop a close relationship with the Lord. In this relationship the Lord will speak to you, he will guide you and he will open doors that you could ______only ever dream of. Sometimes in order for those doors to open, you have ______to take a leap of faith. You have to truly believe that your best friend - ______who you have this great relationship with - is going to do what he told he ______would. That can be very scary, but if you continue to pray and draw close, ______he will give you peace and comfort and those doors blow wide open. ______When we think of prayer what does that look like in our minds? Is it a ______quick 30 seconds of “God I NEED this!” Is it the five minutes of time before ______we fall asleep at night? Is it coffee and a devotional in the morning? Or is it ______time carved out each day to just talk and listen? No matter how you do it, ______just do it. Talk to Jesus. ______Develop a relationship that is so good and so intimate that faith isn’t ______scary because you know without a shadow of a doubt that your God is in ______complete control. ______

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