Day 326—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 326 – James 1 – 5 (Faith, wisdom, the Word, works, the tongue, worldliness, prayer)

James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church, writes to believing Jews living outside of Israel. His letter is rich in practical ways to live a life of faith.

James 1.

Be joyful when you experience trials, for they strengthen your faith. Ask God for the wisdom you need, and He will give it. Temptation is not from God but from your own sinful desires. Don’t just hear the teaching of the word, but work it out as well. Watch your tongue! True “religion” is shown by visiting orphans and widows and keeping yourself unstained by worldly things.

James 2.

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ show no partiality to the rich. Even if you are “righteous” in all other ways, this is lawbreaking.  Mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith without actions is dead faith. Yes, it is great that you believe, but even demons do that. Show your inner faith by how you live.  Check out the actions and faith of Abraham and Rahab in the Old Testament.

James 3.

Teachers, beware, for you will be judged with greater strictness.  “Be careful little tongue, what you say!”  Bits in horses’ mouths and rudders on ships control them.  YOU must control your speech.  What you say can be a scorching fire from hell, a world of unrighteousness, a restless evil full of deadly poison. Watch your tongue!  Remember, true wisdom is from God. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  Your good conduct will show you have this wisdom.

James 4.

Control your passions!  They will cause fights, quarrels, dissatisfactions, and even murders.  They make your prayers foolish, desiring things to lavish on yourself.   God gives grace to the humble, so submit yourselves to God.  Resist the devil and his ways…and he will flee from you. Draw near instead to God, who will respond.  Again, humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.  Don’t boast about tomorrow. Who knows anything about tomorrow?  Commit it all to the Lord.  And it’s a sin if you know the right thing to do, and you don’t do it.

James 5.

Don’t boast or have confidence in riches. They won’t help you on judgment day.  Be patient in your work for the Lord.  You know He is coming; work patiently till then and don’t grumble.  Let all your praying be done by faith. Whether praying for the sick or a sinning brother, your prayer of faith accomplishes much. Remember how Elijah prayed, and there was NO rain. Then he prayed again, and there was an abundance of rain.  If any one of you strays from the truth, bring him back. His soul will be saved and his sins covered.