The Imperfect Wives- Book of James

Awhile back I talked about the book of James.  I can not even begin to explain it or bring light to it like the ladies from The Imperfect Wives do.  They do a blog talk radio show every Tuesday and for the past month they have been going over the book of James.  I really hope you check them out!  You can also do a search for them on Blog Talk Radio to find their older episodes in their archives.  You will truly be blessed by these women!

The Imperfect Wives

Listen to internet radio with CWA Radio on Blog Talk Radio

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Book of James cont’d

This is continued from my post yesterday.  I will continue to post the book of James for the next several days. 


As I have said before, I am not trying to preach, but then again I do want to share His Word with you.  These are things that mean something to me, and if it touches you or hits you and makes you really think, then that is just God speaking to you, or as I like to say, “It’s God smacking me upside the head and saying, ‘Listen up!’”


12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God 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 one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away 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.  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 first fruits of all He created.


Listening and Doing


19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life 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 a man 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 the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does.  26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 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.

*italics are mine…

this is something that I really need to work on.  I need to be a doer!  I need to not just read His Word but also do what He wants me to do.  What He is trying to teach us all to do.  I need to do this so that others can see His work in me.  I need to stop being so impatient, bitter, angry, and speaking negatively.  We need to be loving, caring, encouraging and building each other up!! 

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The book of James

The Imperfect Wives have been going over the book of James now for the past few weeks on their blog talk radio show. (the link will go to their archives)  It is an amazing book and very eye opening. 
Not sure how I am going to do this post because there is just too many things in James that need to be read and learned and lived!  I will be going over this, basically posting the Word, for the next few days…
Here is the explanation of James from my Life Application Study bible… which by the way is a very great read! 

Vital Statistics


Purpose:
To expose hypocritical practices and to teach right Christian behavior


Author:
James, Jesus’ brother, a leader in the Jerusalem church


Original Audience:
First-century Jewish Christians residing in Gentile communities outside Palestine


Date Written:
Probably A.D. 49, prior to the Jerusalem council held in A.D. 50


Setting:
this letter expresses James’ concern for persecuted Christians who were once part of the Jerusalem church.


Key Verse:
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” (2:18)

again this is from my Life Application Bible…


With energetic style and crisp, well-chosen words, James confronts this conflict head-on.  It is not enough to talk the Christian faith, he says; we must live it.  “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (2:14)  the proof of the reality of our faith is a change life.

Genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds.  This is the central theme of James’ letter, around which he supplies practical advice on living the Christian life.
James begins his letter by outlining some general characteristics of the Christian life (1:1-27)  Next, he exhorts Christians to act justly in society (2:1-13).  He follows this practical advice with a theological discourse on the relationship between faith and action (2:14-26).  Then James shows the importance of controlling one’s speech (3:1-12).  In 3:13-18, James distinguishes two kinds of wisdom- earthly and heavenly.  Then he encourages his readers to turn from evil desires and obey God (4:1-12).  James reproves those who trust in their own plans and possessions (4:13-5:6).  Finally, he exhorts his readers to be patient with each other (5:7-11), to be straightforward in their promises (5:12), to pray for each other (5:13-18), and to help each other remain faithful to God (5:19,20)

This letter could be considered a how-to book on Christian living.  Confrontation, challenges, and a call to commitment await you in its pages.  read James and become a doer of the Word. (1:22-25)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.  To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings,
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he 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 man will fade away even while he goes about his business.


I will continue with this tomorrow.  Here is the meaning of Perseverance.. I love #2.  Of course highlights are mine.. although in my bible it is all pretty much highlighted! and again, the stuff highlighted is what appeals to me.. so to someone else it might not mean anything.  The posts I do are not to preach but to share His word and what has spoken to me.  These posts are basically for me and my Father!  and of course whoever wants to join in...

Perseverance

 -noun
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2. Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation. Pin It