Week 1 Day 5

The Daily Take 10

The Epistle of James

Week 1 Day 5

Introduction…God is teaching us in His Word that when we value what God values we can go through trials with joy since we know that we will grow, learn and be rewarded by God. By going through the trials of life while trusting in God, we will emerge from them and be found faithful as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Going through life we can ask God for wisdom. God will provide wisdom to us, when we ask with vibrant, focused faith that asks, expects and receives from our Heavenly Father.

Read James 1: 9-11 “Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation (as a Christian, called to true riches and an heir of God). And the rich person in being humbled by being shown his human frailty because like the flower…he will pass away. For the sun comes up with scorching heat and parches the grass, its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits.”

Bible Study

• This Scripture is a reality check and gives us valuable insight how God sees us versus how we see people and how we may see ourselves.
• The Bible says in I Samuel 16:7, “man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” We can be fooled by people, we misjudge others and we often do not think rightly about ourselves. God is not fooled. He created us and knows us best.
• The Bible teaches us to think soberly of ourselves. Meaning do not think too highly of yourself nor too lowly of yourself. Both are incorrect. See Romans 12:3
• If you think to highly of yourself, you tend to forget God and think you are better than others. Failing to respect others and not realizing your need for God.
• If you think too low of yourself, insecure, have low self esteem, believing you are insignificant and not realizing you are of great value to God. He loves you and you can be rich in having Him for life. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul.” Matthew 16:26
• Perhaps you are poor financially, socially or mentally…the world gives you the sense that you don’t measure up or are ridiculed. If you know the Lord and think poorly of yourself, that is wrong thinking.
• Perhaps you are wealthy and think that you have no needs that you can’t handle yourself. If you think that you don’t need God, that is wrong thinking.
• The circumstances of life, whether poor or rich, do not identify who you are or determine in any way your value. In both of these circumstances there are trials. Understand in both situations your value in God and your need for God.

Application

• Life is all about God. Living for Him and with Him in the good and bad of life.
• Know what He says and get it right on the inside of you and you will begin living an abundant life.

Any questions or comments?

Tags: Take 10

Week 1 Day 4

The Daily Take 10
The Epistle of James
Week 1 Day 4

Introduction…as children and part of the family of God, we can ask (asking is a part of praying) our Father to provide our needs. In fact, like a good father, God wants us to ask Him instead of being worried about things. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition (asking), with thanksgiving, make your requests known.”

Read…James 1:6-8
“Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown…and tossed by the wind. For let not such a person think that he will receive anything (he asks for) from the Lord. A double-minded person is unstable in all their ways.” The Amplified Bible

Bible Study
• First let’s understand faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God. They that come to God must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11 is an entire chapter devoted to faith…a great read.
• Understand that God gives faith as part of the human DNA. Romans 12:3 says, “God has given to all mankind a measure of faith” so there is no excuse, we have it and first use it, when we believe and come to God for asking forgiveness.
• Understand saving faith. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son/Jesus that whoever believes (trusts in, clings to, relies on) in Him would not perish but have eternal life.”
• Understand that God always looks for and rewards faith. In Genesis it says, “Abraham believed God and He counted it unto him as righteousness.”
• So we can see the fact that our Christian life starts, is sustained and empowered
by faith in the living God, our Father.
• So when we come to God in prayer, once again we come in faith believing. He is there, hears us, meets our needs and answers our requests with His great mercy, love and power.
• When we ask God for wisdom, it is no different than other prayer requests. We must have faith to believe, ask, know He will give it and now listen to His Spirit in you telling you what to do and how to do it.
• If you are weak in faith, there is an anecdote. Read the Word. Our faith also grows by reading and applying His Word to our lives. The Bible teaches, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17

Application
• Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts.
• After praying and asking God for wisdom, ‘listen’ and ‘sense’ His Spirit in you speaking, counseling, advising you. It will never contradict His Word/Bible

Any comments or question?

Tags: Take 10

Week 1 Day 3

The Daily Take 10
The Epistle of James
Week 1 Day 3

Introduction…Wisdom. Who has it? How do I get it? If I had it how would my life change? Years ago according to the Bible, Solomon, a young King of Israel, who loved the Lord and lived for Him, had a dream where God asked what above all else he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave him the most wise and understanding heart. See 1 Kings 3:3-14. To this day Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived.

Read… James 1:5 “If any of you lack or is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving
God, who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given to him.” The Amplified Bible

Bible Study
• Lack. Why is God saying we are lacking wisdom? If we don’t understand how we can experience the ‘joy’ of going through life with God and having faith in Him, even through trials and difficult times, then we are in fact lacking wisdom.
• Wisdom. Because ‘the fear, or trust, in the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ and from that knowledge of God, wisdom develops in us. Wisdom gives us the ability to see Divine purpose, God’s perspective and the big picture that gives you great peace, confidence and unfailing direction in life. See Proverbs 1:6-7
• Webster defines wisdom as intelligence drawing upon experience and governed by prudence.
• The Word of God teaches that wisdom is practical and concerned with the everyday business of life.
• Isn’t James 1: 5 polite and kind by saying ‘IF’ any of you lack wisdom. I can hear my answer already, ‘ah that be me!’ ‘I qualify and I’m in line.’
• God our Father promises to give it to us if and when we ask. The Nike logo, “Just Do It” applies here. Just do it…ask God for wisdom!
• Why not pray and ask God for wisdom to see His purposes and gain His guidance for the trials of day, in our lives, marriage, parenting, in our work?
• Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear (reverential trust) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
• Knowing that the Bible teaches us God’s wisdom and instruction for living…if we don’t read and study the Word…are we despising wisdom and instruction?
• Do you need and want wisdom? If so, did you know you could ask God for it and without a doubt, He would give it to you?
• The Bible in Matthew 7:11 says, “if we (you and I) being evil know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will your heavenly Father …give good things to them that ask him.”
• When I give a gift to someone and they don’t say thanks or use it, I have been known to get offended. Are you that way too? Well God is not that way.
• God will give us wisdom if we ask and will not give it to us grudgingly saying, “but you don’t deserve it!” or with faultfinding saying, “I gave it to you last time and you didn’t listen to my wisdom or advice, so I’m not giving it to you again”.
Application…
• Do I turn to God during trials?
• Do I understand God’s purposes?
• Am I growing closer to God through the trials of life?
• What is keeping me from gaining wisdom from God?

Any comments or questions?

Tags: Take 10

Week 1 Day 2

The Daily Take 10
The Epistle of James
Week 1 Day 2

Introduction…discipleship is all about learning. Learning from God, what He has revealed through His Word and the life of Jesus Christ. He called us to be His disciples. After accepting Jesus Christ as our savior, the calling of every believer is to grow in Him. When we accept Christ as our savior, we are saved from our sins, which are wonderfully forgiven and forgotten by God. But God, who created us and loves us, also offers us His abundant life. So let’s press on, develop and learn how to live life to its fullest. That’s what discipleship is all about.

Read…James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing this, that the testing of your faith develops patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.”

Bible Study
• There are several key words in these verses to focus upon and understand.
• When the Scripture says, “my brethren”, it is addressed to all Christians, all believers, both men and women. Did you know that you and I are family? That’s right we are both children of Father God and part of His family.
• The Word of God here in James is speaking to Christians…brethren.
• “Joy”! Are you kidding…consider it joy to be in a trial?
• Well yes, we can find joy if we look past the trial, the circumstances, the difficulty and “know this”:
o God is with us, He hears our prayers, loves us, and will get us through this trial, which is purposed to develop our faith.
o Sticking with God, trusting in and holding onto Him during these times is essential.
o The outcome of this process results in ‘patience’ or steadfastness.
o This is an important step in discipleship because it means we have developed an enduring faith, which makes us ‘perfect’ in God’s eyes.
• Can you now sense the joy of trials? Jesus considered it joy when He envisioned going to the Cross, because He saw past the trial and focused on us being reconciled unto God, forgiven and in right relationship with God. Hebrews 12:2.
• Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God”. During trials our faith isn’t damaged. If we go through trials of life with God, our faith is perfected. Remember God is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and He is developing strong faith in us, making us ‘perfect’ in His sight and by His evaluation.

Application
• Evaluate your faith…weak, moderate, or strong faith?
• What is your first reaction when trials come? Look up Psalms 50:15.
• Did you ever think that in God’s eyes you could be seen as perfect?

Any questions or comments?

Tags: Take 10

Week 1 Day 1

The Daily Take 10

The Epistle of James

Week 1 Day 1

Introduction…the book of James was written by James, the brother of Jesus, who did not believe in Jesus during His ministry time on earth, but he followed Christ after His resurrection. James eventually became the pastor and led the church in Jerusalem.

Read…James 1:1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” King James Version.

Bible Study

• Note in this first verse of Scripture, James does not identify himself as the brother of Jesus, but with full recognition that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God, he describes himself more accurately as a slave, or bond servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, meaning he lives for his master, his life is purposed for his masters’ use and he is bound for life to Him. ‘For me to live is Christ…’ Philippians 1:21
• Can you imagine the transformation in James’ life? Growing up with Jesus as nothing more than his older brother, but hearing His mother, Mary’s amazing account of how God visited her and the virgin birth. Mary, too described herself, not as Jesus’ mother, but a handmaiden, or servant of the Lord.
• No doubt it was incredible for James to see and hear Jesus speak with such wisdom and authority while healing sick people and doing such miracles. But when Jesus lived and was crucified, as was prophesied by prophets centuries before and then was resurrected…the life long mystery of his brother became reality. It changed his life forever. Wouldn’t it have done the same in your life?
• When James saw the life, words, and works of Jesus he was astonished, but when he saw the death, resurrection and then the ascension of the Living Lord…life took on new meaning and would never be the same again. That is the very essence of the born again experience…old things are passed away and behold all things are new (II Corinthians 5:17). Life from then on becomes one of discipleship. James said, now I am a follower and servant of Jesus Christ.
• James life was changed when he believed (trusted in and committed to) the truth of God that Jesus was the Word, God the Son and became his Savior.
• James became ‘born again’ as the life changing experience with Christ is identified in the Gospel of John 3:3-8.
• This incredible truth is the Good News from God. “But as many as received Jesus, to them gave He the power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name…to those who were born of God.” John 1:12

Application

• Have you accepted Jesus into your life? Do you believe in your heart and confessed Jesus as your savior? Are you born again, or born from above?
• If so, have you considered that you, like James, are a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ?
• The term ‘servant may sound strange, but when you think of it, we are all serving someone. Maybe the only person we serve is our own purposes and ourselves. We are all living for or serving someone. Why not, serve the Lord Jesus Christ? Become a disciple. A follower of Him. He is our Lord, meaning owner.
• Joshua, who led Israel faithfully after Moses died, said at one point when the people were uncommitted or lukewarm in their faith, “Today, choose whom you will serve. But for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
• What is God asking or expecting of you as his servant?
• In what ways do you serve the Lord?

Any questions or comments?

Tags: Take 10