Joy in Hard Times
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James 1:1-4
1/6/2008
This letter offers more commands per verse than any other New Testament letter. The first two commands are found in the first four verses of James. They call us to find joy in hard times and to learn the lessons from hard times. Here are some reasons why you should find the joy in those hard times.

James Exposition
James 1-5
7/13/2008
The book of James has long been the subject of controversy among scholars because of apparent contradictions between it and the letters of Paul.It is true that the epistle of James does not offer a full theology of redemption, but James belongs with the New Testament redemption letters. James certainly believed in salvation by grace through faith as we learn elsewhere (Acts 15:11) but he teaches us that genuine faith produces works.

Why Pray When You Can Waffle?
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James 1:5-8
1/13/2008
Prayer is the natural Godward response of the believer being molded by God. Believing and praying increase as your view of God gets higher. Here are some good reasons why you should pray.

Things That Fade
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James 1:9-11
1/20/2008
Texts like this one do not reveal James as a hard- hitting legalist calling people to renounce their wealth so that they can attain eternal life. This small passage is one of many in this letter that strips away human achievement and leaves man standing before the judge, pleading for mercy. Consider the things men value that get in God’s way.

"Desires Grow Up"
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James 1:12-16
1/27/2008
As a son or daughter of Adam, you are in a battle. You may not feel like you are, but, as God warned Cain, sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you. Here is the way you do battle against sin in your life.

He Brought Us Forth
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James 1:17-18
2/3/2008
The “bottom line” in verses 17-18 is this reminder: If it’s bad, it’s your fault; if it’s good, it’s God’s. It reveals that (as Ephesians 2:10 says) we were created for better things than we do by nature. Before you spend God’s gifts, remember the challenge of this text.

Crushing Man-Anger
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James 1:19-20
2/17/2008
Human wrath or “man-anger” is one of those desires that must be conquered before it “brings forth death.” It shows up when desire is conceived. This wrath moves us either to physical violence, fits of rage or the passive and internally destructive bitterness. How do you crush you that kind of anger?

The Way to Change
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James 1:21-24
2/24/2008
Some people are more afraid of stinking in public than they are of sinning in public. James calls sinners to look into a mirror that reveals sin without correcting it. So how can sinners change? If you ever find yourself despairing that you cannot keep up with the rules, here is hope.

Freedom
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James 1:25-27
3/2/2008
God’s changeless moral law brings about more than cosmetic change. The freedom spoken of here is not freedom from bondage to God’s law but freedom from bondage to sin. If you are finding it hard to measure up the answer is found in rightly relating to the one who holds the ruler. Note the internal changes that come when you are set free from your sin.

Hospitality and Favoritism
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James 2:1-7
3/9/2008
Some Christians consider their assembly loving, meaning that the people who are already committed love each other. This is good, but what do the people say who come into that “loving” church and do not return because the people loved each other so much that they did not have time for “aliens”? Consider the attitudes demanded by this text that will change the way a church looks at others.

Mercy Triumphs over Judgment
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James 2:8-13
3/30/2008
You cannot study texts like this without seeing yourself in need of mercy. What should you conclude following an honest look at this text?

Faith and Works 1
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James 2:14-17
4/6/2008
There are certainly differing viewpoints on the correct interpretation of James, not the least of which is the disagreement over whether we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. Why even enter the debate? Is this relevant to real life? Yes. Here is why.

Faith and Works 2
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James 2:18-26
4/13/2008
Genuine faith demands more than just warm feelings toward God or toward people in need. Genuine saving faith comes out when you are confronted with difficult circumstances. Here are three examples

Tongue-Tied
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James 3:1-5a
4/20/2008
With your tongue you can blaspheme God, express hatred, rebel against authority, complain and criticize others. If you claim to follow our Savior your desire to please him will largely influence your tongue. With a force like that inside your own mouth, you should desire to bring it under his rule. Here are three truths from this text that should motivate you to control your tongue.

Your Word Bank
James 3:5b-12
4/27/2008
Why does anger and vile language spill out of people? It is not because they are shaken or the fault lies with whatever (or whomever) did the shaking. No, the problem is that there is anger and vile language inside, waiting to be shaken and spilled. Like an animal, your tongue needs outside help to tame it. Here is motivation to change the way you talk.

Two Kinds of Wisdom
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James 3:13-18
5/4/2008
Do you aspire to lead others? Then you need God’s kind of wisdom. Here are facts about wisdom none dare go without.

Why We Fight
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James 4:1-5
5/11/2008
Idolatry begins when we think we must have certain things and when we are willing to do whatever it takes to get them. Idolatry begins when we become angry if we do not get our desires satisfied. The desire is not the problem. Misplaced desire is. Here are some reasons why you should beware of misplaced desire.

God's Kind of Person
James 4:6-10
5/18/2008
Those who charge James with presenting a legalistic message fail to see the hope he offers. The criticism James levels here is very different because rather than cursing our darkness it points us to the light. He points out the sins that plague us and then shows us the only way out. Consider why these are hope-giving verses

Who Are You to Judge?
James 4:11-12
5/25/2008
Humble people cannot be negative and critical toward others. They are hard to offend because they have a great respect for God’s straight standard and a great awareness that they are crooked. Here are some steps that should keep you from judging people.

Keeping Your Plans in Pencil
James 4:13-17
6/1/2008
This study could also carry the title “Shattered Dreams.” You should make plans. It is good stewardship of time to make such decisions. However, behind every plan needs to be the awareness that God may change it. Here is the attitude you need.

God Is Not Deaf
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James 5:1-6
6/8/2008
The practical applications of this text may appear difficult on the surface, but the passage does apply to us for two reasons. First: We live in a time of wealth unparalleled in human history. Second: We live in a nation that is ripe for judgment. How, then should we view our material resources?

You Can't Complain
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James 5:7-11
6/15/2008
Here James draws yet another metaphor, comparing believers enduring hardship to farmers waiting for rain. He tells us how to occupy our time while we wait for God to deliver us from evil or even from little hassles.

...On a Stack of Bibles
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James 5:12
6/22/2008
We give our word in marriage vows, business agreements, financial loans and simple statements of intent. James gives us some good motivation to say what we mean and mean what we say. Here are some good reasons why you should keep your word.

Godward Living
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James 5:13-15
6/29/2008
The church is full of sinners who suffer because of their own sins, because of the sins of others and because they live in a sin-cursed world. The answer to all this suffering is not the creation of large global operations. It is local church ministry.

Blue Collar Praying
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James 5:16-18
7/6/2008
"Confess" translated in James 5:16 is a form of the word used in 1 John 1:9 9"If we confess our sins..."). It means "to agree or admit" (literally "to say the same thing"). It is not simply to say, "I'm sorry" but to call sin what it is. True confession offers no excuses.

Chasing Down Sinners
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James 5:19-20
7/13/2008
James 5:19 "My brethren, if any among you strays." This is a vivid word picture. The word translated “strays” often carries the more active meaning “to deceive.” Its passive picture here is that of a wandering sheep or of those who “err” because they do not know the Scriptures. James is describing someone who turns away from God’s word. Just like sheep wander away from the safety provided by their shepherd, so believers often wander from the refuge of God’s word.