STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY WISDOM FROM HEAVEN

JAMES 3:13-18   It is significant that the characteristics James first listed for godly wisdom are purity and peaceableness. These two have an important relationship. An individual is made pure through faith in Jesus Christ, and this establishes peace between God and himself. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH!

JAMES 3:1-6   Consider four parallels that a fire has with words spoken by the tongue: It hurts, it spreads, it consumes, but it can have a good use under control. It only takes one false or bitter word to hurt deeply. In fact, the hurt may be so deep...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY NOT WORDS BUT WORKS

JAMES 2:14-26   A cold, austere, intellectual faith that does not manifest itself by action is nothing more than a mental assent to the existence of God. James taught that this kind of faith is really no faith at all—it is a dead faith. It is not enough just to...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY GOD’S ROYAL LAW

JAMES 2:1-13   James summed up man’s responsibility to his neighbor by urging him to fulfill the “royal law” (James 2:8). He who fulfills this law of Christ will love all men alike and will look with contempt on none. Because he will be concerned about the value of a...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY THE RELIGION GOD WANTS

JAMES 1:26-27   When Jesus Christ is really indwelling a person, it will result in true religion. The word “religion” as used in James 1:26-27 is not synonymous with the word “salvation.” James used it in the sense of an outward expression of that which is inward. The inner faith...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY OPEN EARS-CLOSED MOUTH

JAMES 1:19-21 James wanted all believers to be alert to comprehend the Word of God. This is very important since “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). The Word of God gives us faith to believe, and when we believe, God creates new life...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY GOD ENJOYS GIVING!

JAMES 1:16-18 James left no doubt about the fact that God is the giver of all that is good. James cautioned, “Do not err” (James 1:16). The Greek word translated “err” means “to go astray” or “to go off course.” It was used to describe a ship that had been...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY THE BIRTH THAT BRINGS DEATH

JAMES 1:12-15 When temptations to do evil come into our lives, let us never think that they have come from God; instead, God is doing what He can to prevent us from falling into sin. However, our flesh is so weak that we disregard Him occasionally and follow evil. James...

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