Tag Archives: James

Purify

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21

In a world filled with distractions and conflicting voices, there’s one source of truth that stands the test of time – the Bible. This sacred text isn’t just a collection of ancient stories; it’s a living, breathing guide that has the power to shape our lives in profound ways. Today, let’s explore the transformative power of Scripture and how it can impact our daily walk with God.

The Bible: Our Spiritual Purifier

Imagine a filter that can cleanse not just water, but our very thoughts and actions. That’s precisely what the Word of God does for us. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, it begins to purify our hearts and minds, gradually molding us to be more like Jesus. This transformation isn’t always visible to the naked eye, but over time, it becomes evident in the way we think, speak, and act.

Psalm 119:2-3 beautifully captures this truth: “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.” The more we engage with God’s Word, the more it cleanses us from within, helping us to resist sin and walk in God’s ways.

Tony French

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Helping

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.

James 5:19-20

The Book of James ends with a simple and timely reminder for the church. Christians should be willing to help other Christians who are falling into sin. This task is not easy and simple, but, it is an important part of fellowship within the Body of Christ.

Every Believer has a tendency to stray from the truth. When that takes place, other Believers ought to stand in the gap and help turn that brother or sister from the error and back to the Word of God. Doing this will save the Christian from a multitude of bad choices, sleepless nights, and awful consequences.

Let us realize that when we confront others a great deal of humility is needed. We are all just and at the same time we are all sinners. Every Child of God is vulnerable to the attacks of the evil one. Every attempt to help a wayward Believer ought to be done out of love and kindness. This task is can be complex and arduous. But, it is worth the cost.

Tony French

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Prayer and Confession

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.

James 5:16

Two commands and one promise comprise James 5:16. The commands are……..

**Confess your sins

**Pray for each other

The Promise?

**The prayer of the righteous will be powerful. Let us go and follow these commands.

Tony French

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Godly Prayer

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.

James 5:14-15

Praying in faith is a vital aspect of Christian living. Believers ought to pray and should lift up their requests believing that God is able to do miracles.

James instructs the sick to call for the elders of the church, be anointed with oil, and be prayed for by the leaders of the congregation. This practice is consistent with the biblical record. The elders do not have to be called in every situation. Yet, the option remains should the need arise among the flock.

The overarching lesson from verses 14-15 is the need for God’s people to pray in a believing spirit. Too often, the Church prays with little to no faith that God will actually do what they are praying for the Lord to accomplish. Every member of the church (no just the elders) should intercede on behalf of the sick and hurting. And when the Christian does pray for their fellow Believers, let them bring petitions with the full faith and confidence that God will hear them and will move on their behalf.

The Lord will not always answer our prayers exactly as hoped. But, He will hear us and grant us His will in all things. And that is what is best after all!

Tony French

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Prayer & Praise

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

James 5:13

Praise and prayer occupy the Apostle’s teaching in Chapter 5, Verse 13. These two spiritual disciplines are vital for Christian growth. Without them, maturity will come slowly if at all to the Believer.

When trouble comes, pray. Pray also when times are good. No matter the circumstance and no matter the situation, pray. God works through the prayers of His people. The Lord will not answer every prayer as we would hope. He will hear us and do what it is best.

Praise the Lord, Child of God. He has blessed you, protected you, and kept you in Christ Jesus. Praise Him when you feel like it and even when you don’t. Honor the King of kings and Lord of lords through praise each and every day.

Prayer and praise are a powerful combination!

Tony French

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Patient

7 Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

James 5:7-8

Be patient, Child of God. The Lord’s arrival is nearer and nearer each day.

The farmer exercises patience as he plows the field and sows the seed. The harvest will not come right away. The good agriculturist must wait and fertilize the crop so that a bounty will be produced from it. And as the farmer prepares for the harvest, so we must wait joyfully prepare for the coming of the Lord.

James also tells us to strengthen our hearts. Now is not the time for weakness. Let us strengthen our relationship with the Lord through prayer, the Word, the Church and the working of the Holy Spirit.

Be patient, Child of God. The coming of the Lord is near.

Tony French

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Today

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.

James 4:14

Life on this planet is brief. Compared to eternity, our existence here is truly just a small blip on the screen. There is no guarantee of tomorrow. In light of all this what are we to do?

Believe in Jesus and be saved. Trust Jesus for our future. And live for Him each day that we have. Tomorrow may never arrive. Let us use this day to honor and glorify our Lord!

Tony French

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Slander

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. 

James 4:11

The principle from James 4:11 is simple and to the point—don’t slander fellow believers. We are not to judge the intent of the hearts of others. We should be working to reign in our own hearts and desires.

Obviously, Christians should not slander anyone regardless of whether they are a Christian or not. The precept here is in the context of the teaching of James about how Believers are to interact with one another.

May God help us to love and not slander those in our path.

Tony French

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Conflict

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

James 4:1-2

Conflict is inevitable in life. Sometimes fights cannot be avoided. Human beings need to learn to deal with conflict as it doesn’t go away for long.

James here identifies certain desires that lead to conflict in the home and in the church. He teaches that the desire for pleasure, lust, character assassination, and covetousness are some of the factors that lead to constant infighting and stress. God’s people ought to examine themselves regularly to make sure these foibles are not at work in their lives. If they are, Christians should repent and turn from these foolish argument starters.

Conflict will happen under the best of circumstances. Let us resolve not to add to it by living in ungodly attitudes and mindsets.

Tony French

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Godly Wisdom

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:17-18

The wisdom of God is great and wonderful. James tells us about the glory of the Lord’s wisdom at the end of James 3. Several words are used to describe the precepts of Christ.

**Pure

**Peaceful

**Self-Controlled

**Merciful

**Impartial

**Honest

Those who exhibit the wisdom of God will bear the fruit of righteousness which results from these attributes listed in v. 17. A peaceful life will be the ultimate outcome of a Christian who seeks to live for Christ and obey the wisdom of Scripture.

Tony French

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