Category: James

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

I know of a minister who told a committee person that they weren’t wanted in that congregation because he was blue-collar! That congregation lost a fine Christian who tithed his time and his wage. Who should we want in our congregation?

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please write Your word on our hearts, plant it deep today and grow it, that we might be good soil and bear much fruit.

“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”

When we think of prophets, it’s often Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah, Elijah and Elisha that come to mind.

But here James names Job.

Job is such a wonderful refreshing splash of water to our faces.

To know – He was a prophet who spoke the name of the Lord!

James makes the point of his steadfastness – Linking that with the purposes of God, the Lord’s compassion and mercy.

Let us today be encouraged by and convicted with the example of the prophets, how they suffered and were patient, submitting themselves under the mighty hand of our Father in heaven.

And let us remember Job, who longed for that better country when he said,

“And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,”

As with Job, this is for us to hold on to!

* Dear God,

Please remind us of the patience of the prophets as they suffered for Your sake.

Please help us to be strong and courageous in You as they were.

Each day, please make us more like Jesus.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

James is hard but fair here. Humility is not pretending that you don’t have certain attributes, skills or training, or that there’re not as good as they really are. Humility is the realisation of how far you are from God and His ways, even in your best times. Humility leads us to be merciful and gentle with each other.

SJA Notes

* God of Light, Your word is a lamp unto our feet – Please light our path today.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

This message from James is the same as we read in Peter’s first letter.

Humility is the attribute that matters before the Lord – Submit!

If we have a mindset of wanting glory in the world’s eyes, of pride in our accomplishments, of planning in and of our own strength – This is a problem.

Instead, let our identity, our character, our decision-making be found in the humility that comes from submitting ourselves under God’s mighty hand.

* Gracious Father,

Please forgive our pride and arrogance.

Grow within us each day the humility that You desire in us. The humility and meekness we see in Jesus, God the Son, who submitted Himself unto death on a cross.

Break our hard hearts and stubborn wills.

Thank You God!

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

There are graphic word pictures in this passage about the tongue. James gives a good measuring stick to use to test your wisdom in life. Try measuring one example of your own wisdom using these attributes of wisdom.

SJA Notes

* God Above, Your word is without fault or error; please show us Your truth today.

“And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body.”

How often we say the wrong thing.

We speak before thinking about the consequences of our words.

We use our words to hurt and sow unrest.

James points us to a deep truth.

Our words are important. How we speak matters.

But how do we bridle our tongues? How do we reign in our words?

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

God’s wisdom is the answer.

Let us be exhorted to seek our God’s wisdom today and onwards!

* Almighty God,

Please help us to be a people that seek our Your wisdom and apply it in our lives each day, so that we may speak what is good and right.

May our words point people to You, to Jesus!

Please help us Lord, for from our mouths can come both blessing and curse.

Amen.