Week 3 Day 1

The Daily Take 10

The Epistle of James

Week 3 Day 1

Introduction…A teachable spirit within us is a true sign of humility before God. Psalms 51:17 teaches us “the sacrifice acceptable to God (what God wants and is looking for) is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.” He is not looking to condemn us and we cannot live a sinless life or pay for the sin we have committed. 1 John 1:9 says, “if we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Read James 1:22-24 “But obey the message and be doers of the Word, and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth. For if any one only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a person who looks carefully at his natural face in a mirror, for he thoughtfully observed himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.”

Bible Study

• The reality is that a listener is not necessarily a doer. God wants us to hear/listen to His Word and do/obey. We cannot be double minded…hear and not do.
• We already learned earlier in this first chapter of James, we cannot have faith/believe and at the same time hold onto unbelief. Once again it says in verse 7, “let not that person think he shall receive anything from the Lord.”
• Hearing is not doing in God’s eyes. The call to the disciple of Jesus Christ is to be a follower. So the true believer hears/listens and does/obeys.
• Listening to the Word, going to church is good, but in itself it will not make the difference in your life. God is honored and served by our obedience to His Word.
• Understand that God is revealed to us through the Word…that is the Bible. Jesus is called the Word because in a person, Jesus is everything God wants to say and do for us. John 1:1. So when we don’t listen and do the Word, we are saying no to God, we are serving ourselves and not Him.
• Also grasp the truth that the Word is living and when engrafted into us, as it says in James 1:21, it lives in us and we in turn live by the Word.
• “The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any 2 edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of the soul and spirit and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” See Hebrews 4:12
• When we listen to the Word, it is like looking at ourselves in a mirror. We see our self as we really are. God asks, “What are we going to do about it?” Don’t walk away, only a listener that quickly forgets and is deceived.

Application

• That song we sing at Elevate entitled “Mighty to Save” says it right, “Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. Forever Author of Salvation…So take me as you find me. All my fears and failures. Fill my life again. I give my life to follow…everything I believe in…now I surrender!
• Make this your prayer today…
• Did you know that the Word of God is living? And it actually gives life to us. It works on and in us. In fact the Living Word of God is grafted into our lives, giving us life and changing us into His likeness. Recognizing our need for God and receiving His Word into our lives, gives us His great salvation and the power to live for Christ.

Any comments or questions?

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Week 3 Day 2

The Daily Take 10

The Epistle of James

Week 3 Day 2

Introduction…During the Gold rush days of the mid 1800’s, well-intentioned prospectors were selling all they had and moving West to find gold. Those that were successful did not look for gold part time or tinker at the idea. They were sold out, put it all on the line, were totally committed and virtually risked their very life…why? All to find a better life and become rich. Would you do the same? Ponce De Leon explored Florida and thought he found the fountain of youth only to die at 47. Jesus asked while discussing the cost of discipleship, “what can a person give in exchange for their soul?”

Read James 1:25 “But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the law of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets, but an active doer who obeys. He will be blessed in his doing, in his life of obedience.” The Amplified Bible

Bible Study

• Why did James call the Good News in God’s Word the “law of liberty”?
• First God’s law is perfect. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” (Ps. 19:7) The law was given and revealed by God himself. It cannot be bettered…it is the law of love. And it brings us to perfection, or maturity. It shows us how to live the abundant life and fulfill God’s purposes for us.
• Secondly God’s law of liberty sets us free. Free to know, obey and live for God. We can freely choose to serve and love God and be free from the penalty of sin and the very sins we have committed. “We love Him because He first loved us.” (I Jn. 4:19)
• When we believe in our heart and confess Christ as our Savior (Romans 10:9-10), our ‘sins are removed as far as the east is from the west’ (Psalms 103:12), He remembers them against us no more and though ‘our sins were like crimson, He makes them white as snow’ (Isaiah 1:18).
• Note the intensity in the verse we are studying. We are carefully looking, studying, persevering, and committing to God to obey and live for Him.
• It is important to know that “God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.”  (Heb. 11:6) Much like the prospectors who sought for gold with all their might.
• Commitment is essential in serving God, but it is also important in your life, in your marriage and to your family…let’s face it, in whatever we do, if we are to do it well, we must be committed to it. With God it is no different. He demands and deserves first place.
• “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” God wants first place in our lives. (Matt. 6:33)

Application

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
• “…Give attention to my words. Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight. Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to their whole body.” (Prov. 4:20-22)
• “For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. (Prov. 8:35)

Questions or comments?

Tags: Take 10

Week 3 Day 3

The Daily Take 10

The Epistle of James

Week 3 Day 3

Introduction…Religion is man’s invention. Man’s religions have come from the inherent knowledge that there is a God and I have to reach God by performing to please Him. However, like swimming from Florida to England, some can get further than others, but none of us will make it. So are our efforts of reaching God on our own, or by our way. But the Good News is, God, reached out to us! What we could not do on our own, He did for us. He paid a debt that we couldn’t pay.  Since the beginning, it was God who was there. He created us for Himself. It was God who came to Adam and Eve in the Garden everyday. Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God who at various times and in several ways spoke in time past by the prophets…has spoken to us in these last days by His Son…” Through Christ Jesus, we see God is still reaching out to us. As we read the Word and now follow Christ, we realize that God always wanted and still desires a relationship with each one of us.  His way, not our way, or our futile efforts at religion.

James 1:26-27 “If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he 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 distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” New International Version

Bible Study

• Religion is all about one word…do.
• True Christianity is all about Jesus and the one word is…done.
• Jesus died for our sins. His last words were powerful when He said, “It is finished.” He did the work for us that we could never do. He paid a price we could not pay. He paid a debt He did not owe.
• As a disciple of Jesus Christ our life is not about doing to earn our way, or be in good standing, or so that God loves us. Our life is motivated by love, God’s love. His amazing love for us fuels our love to serve Him and love others, the world, just as He did.
• John 3:16 reminds us, “for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”
• True religion, James is saying, is motivated by God’s love, and it is our response of love in action towards others in need.
• In I Corinthians 13, known as the love chapter, it tells us there is no law forbidding the doing of good for others, out of a heart filled with God’s love.
• What we do as disciples of Jesus Christ is an outgrowth of our love for Him and recognizing WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) and doing the same.
  • Blessing others… and not cursing or abusing them verbally…speaking well of others…finding and encouraging the good.
  • Caring for others…finding a need and filling it
  • Giving to others…financially and of our time. Luke 6:38 says, “Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, shall men give unto you. For what measure you give, will be measured back to you.”
  • Restore others…you that are spiritual restore a weaker person with humility and bear others burden. See Galatians 6:1-9

Application

• Pray for and look for a need today and try to fill it. Help someone.
• Do this good deed as worship unto the Lord with a grateful heart.

Any comments or questions?

Tags: Take 10

Week 3 Day 4

The Daily Take 10

The Epistle of James

Week 3 Day 4

Introduction…a new chapter of thought in chapter 2. We have learned the purpose of testing and the difference between testing and temptation. Then we studied the testing of obedience and then of true religion as Chapter 1 closed. Now comes a new chapter (2) of teaching. Focusing on the test of brotherly love and the test of good works. Remember, unlike testing in school, God promises us we can pass and will pass the test He sends. The test is for our good and God even gives us the answers before the test. Let’s grow as followers and disciples of Jesus Christ.

Read James 2: 1-4 “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, here’s a good seat for you, but say to the poor man, you stand there, or sit on the floor by my feet, have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

Bible Study

• Chapter 2 is still calling out to true believers. Believers in God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Jesus was so much man while on earth He was called the Son of Man, but so much God, He was, and is the Son of God. We are following Him, our Savior and Lord (Master and owner).

• We are not supposed to act like a Christian; we have to just be one. But how?
• The key is our spiritual core must be strengthened by God. He is the author and finisher of our faith and we are His handiwork.  (Heb. 12:2)
• God looks at and works on our spiritual core…that is our heart. The issues of life flow from the heart.  (Prov. 4:23)
• Mt 22:37 tells us if there is just one thing that God expects, it is this…the great commandment. What God expects most and what should be foremost in our life is to love God with all our heart.
• Once our core, our heart is right…once we get it right on the inside, our life flows rightly on the outside.
• Understand God’s way, His perspective, His purpose, His heart…He loves the world, people, He wants to forgive, save, heal and have relationship with whosoever will.
• Remember:
  • God loves people. So should we.
  • God wants to forgive and save people. So should we.
  • God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance. So should we.
• How can we be light, share the Good News and lead people to Christ, if we are selective, judgmental, and show partiality?

Application

• Lord, I am here on earth to live for you. Help me to love people and see them like you do. Change my heart. Strengthen my heart, my core. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Do you have any comments or questions?

Tags: Take 10

Week 3 Day 5

The Daily Take 10

The Epistle of James

Week 3 Day 5

Introduction…God is rich. He is wealthy. Psalms tells us that all the silver and gold are His and He has no material needs. However, it may seem that God is against the wealthy through the content we have read from James. That is not the case. He loves the rich and poor. Many Bible greats were wealthy. The theme here is our judging people and then showing partiality. This is very un God like.

Read James 2: 5-7 “Listen, my dear brothers: has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of Him to whom you belong?”

Bible Study

• The Word here in James is reasoning with us. Appealing to our rationale minds so as to convince us that our natural tendency to judge, classify and treat people according to outward appearance is flawed.
• Showing partiality to the rich and famous may come natural to us because that is how the world operates and determines importance, but not God.
• As we learned, God looks upon the heart, and so should we, value each person.
• To God we are all equal and valuable to Him. God the Father sent Jesus to earth to die for whosoever may come to Him.
• What a paradox:
  • Some may be rich in this world’s possessions, but bankrupt with God.
  • Others may be poor in this world’s eyes, but rich in faith, a child of God and inherit life eternal.
• What upside-down thinking:
  • To cater to the rich and powerful, who in many cases are the ones who attack faith.
  • To neglect and devalue the poor, who desperately have great need, want our help and need to know God loves them even though the world says they are unimportant.

Application

• How do we look at people? Do we need God’s eyes to see correctly?
• Prayer: “Lord, open my eyes that I may see Jesus and have His heart and vision for precious people. May I be your hand extended, Father, reaching to a lost, needy and dying world.”

Comments or questions?

Tags: Take 10