Tara is taking us into a side-road by looking at James, who was the Lord’s half brother and an important part of the early church in Acts. Several of you were with us when we did James with Paige Benton Brown in the beginning of 2023. I still remember Paige saying, “James didn’t believe his brother was the Christ until the resurrection — but the resurrection pretty much does it!” (See Acts 12:17) We are going to break the book of James up into two weeks, and I’ll be sharing a few comments you made when we did James with Paige 3 years ago. James is very much about how to face trials, which are always in our lives, and seem to be increasing. James tells us to face them with joy for they will help us grow. Paige quoted her favorite, Corrie ten Boom:
You will never know the strength of your Anchor until you face the stress of the storm.
As you probably know, James letter was controversial because you could read it as a works-based salvation, but instead, it was we are saved by faith alone, but true faith is never alone. It results in fruit. The word “religion” which is “thrace-kos” (comes from the base of G2360 in Strongs which means ceremonious in worship) and occurs only once in all of Scripture, and that is in James, when he is calling out those who think they are religious, yet lack evidence. He says
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27 NIV)
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the fact that the word “religion” is used only once in Scripture — and how James uses it?
- How have you seen God in your life recently in joy or in trials?
Monday: Cartoon Overview and James 1:1-18
3. Watch the cartoon overview of James from the Bible Recap. Scroll down on the Devotional and find it. What stands out to you and why?
4. Read James 1:1-18 and make observations. Then choose the one that stands out the most and share why.
Blogger Quotes from our past study with Paige on James 1:
Rebecca: God has built my muscle of dependance on Him in not doubting His character and in falling in His arms.
Laura: “We, out of all creation, became his prized possession.” (James 1:18 NLT) Wow. I am His prized possession.
Bing and Susan both liked a quote from Dr. Motyer :We live about what we love. The shape of our lives is determined by the joy of our hearts.
Patti: I couldn’t help thinking about why wealth and money can threaten our devotion to God
Tuesday: James 1:19-26
5. Make observations on James 1:19-26 then share your favorite and why.
Wednesday: James 2:1-13
You have probably heard the story of the Rescue station on a Great Lake that had such great community that they stopped rescuing boats in trouble and just enjoyed one another. So many churches have stopped rescuing and turned into “Country Clubs.” James understands this danger. Our churches should be filled with ragamuffins and rescuers, so different than the world’s elite.
6. Make observations on James 2:1-13 and then share your favorite and why.
Thursday: James 2:14-26
7. Make observations and then share your favorite and why.
Blogger Quotes from our past study with Paige on James 2:
Lydia: Our community needs Jesus, not a “Christian Club”.
Susan: Paige emphasizes that receiving is not the same thing as hearing, or understanding, or agreeing. What matters is the lab! What matters is responding!
Friday: Tara-Leigh Cobble
We’ll listen to Tara this week, She confused me a bit when she said James didn’t write this but “Jacabo” but what she meant was that “Jacabo” is the correct Hebrew name and the English translation is Jacob, and James is a mistake. But this is the half brother of Jesus. It is interesting to me that James, and some if not all of his siblings didn’t believe until the resurrection.
7. What stands out to you from Tara and why?
Saturday: God Shot?
8. What is your God shot and why?
22 comments
1. What stands out to you from the fact that the word “religion” is used only once in Scripture — and how James uses it?
I guess it’s not as important as other words where Jesus will say something three times, or God will continue to repeat the same idea over and over again.
When James uses it, though, he uses it for a very important reason which is to take care of people and to not get caught up in the world.
2. How have you seen God in your life recently in joy or in trials?
I find it really interesting that we are studying Acts this past week, and Paul and Barnabas are taking the message to the believers. They’re setting up the churches with elders, and even sent a letter (this comes later in the Book…I found this out by watching The Bible Project’s explanation of Acts, which Tara Leigh includes) to the jewish council stating that non-Jewish Christians did not have to follow the Jewish laws of circumcision, eating certain foods, etc..
Fast-forward to this past week in my church. We are questioning our leadership about different doctrine ideas in the church. We wrote a letter to express our concern and how we want to have a meeting. I just think it’s so funny that I’m reading about it in Acts, and it’s playing itself out in my life. Makes one tend to think….
Wow, Laura! It is interesting what is going on in your church coinciding with this study. Sounds like a God wink.
I’ve also been thinking about the church today and how we should follow the model set out in scripture. The disciples go to great lengths to make sure new converts are legitimate and churches are established with leadership.
So true Chris. Somewhere I read they waited three years to be sure of their salvation!
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the fact that the word “religion” is used only once in Scripture — and how James uses it? Interesting about the use of the word in Scripture and the way it is used. I typically have thought of this term in referring to a system of beliefs. For instance, what religion does one belong to: Christian, Buddhism, etc. James uses it to refer to how we should act: looking after widows and orphans and keeping ourselves from being polluted by the world. I might hear of a person today being described as a religious person based on their behavior. We do expect those in the church to take care of those in need and to keep oneself from the influences of the world, so in that respect it is the same. I expect it is only used once as this is not something we should focus on. Instead, Christ should be our focus. If we are loving God and loving people, our behavior will follow.
How have you seen God in your life recently in joy or in trials?
I have been struggling a lot in a trial which has gone on for years and I am finally coming to the conclusion that instead of trying to figure out an answer, I just need to accept the difficulty and look for God’s grace. His power is made perfect in my weakness. I think I keep trying to accept it and then start looking for answers again in this vicious circle as its the kind of thing that I have told the Lord is too hard to accept, but like Paul, he has not taken my thorn away. Instead, I will pour God’s promises into my heart and strengthen myself to stand under this hardship. If at some point He chooses to take away my thorn, I will praise Him; and if He chooses to leave me with the thorn to my dying day, I will still praise Him. It feels like my heart might break some days, but I have learned that he does not give us trials which we cannot persevere under, in His strength. It can be difficult to discern sometimes when something goes on for years and prayers go unanswered, but I think like Paul, I can safely say, trials keep me humble. Some days I just wish I could hear God the way Paul did.
Oh Chris — I can identify with your struggle. Lord, help us both — help our hearts.
I know Keller uses the word religion to express ritual and doing, doing ,doing instead of relationship and done (it is finished). It is interesting that the word is only used here satirically — as if they were concentrating on outward show without genuinely loving those in need.
Oh, Chris, my heart aches for you as I read this. You have shared about this before in some detail, but it has been so easy for me to foget about it. Your comments on the study questions have been positive and your everyday experiences show your stong Christian ethic. You don’t constantly focus on your trial, so I have fogotten about it and ceased to pray for you. I’m sorry.
Father, How easy it is for me to get wrapped up in my own life and forget what Chris has benn living with each and every day, for years. Forgive my blindness in this area, not only about Chris, but about other sisters, too. Lord, thank You for the written Word, and thank You Holy Spirit for bringing it to life for us. As Chris and all my sister on this blog live each day, grant us the grace we need and give us strength to face each day with joy in our hearts. I pray that each of us will see something today that gladdens our hearts as we look to You, Jesus. Thank You for Your unfailing love, faithfulness, and watchcare over us. amen.
Thank you for the reminder and the lovely prayer, Cheryl. I pray that we all will be sensitive to pray for one another here. Chris and Dee, I pray for breakthroughs in your ongoing trials. I know that we all have this struggle in some area of our lives. I will be praying that we will uplift one another in prayer and encouragement. So thankful for our faithful Father in Heaven. Lord, help our hearts.
Thank you, dear sisters. I do pray for God’s grace for each of us. We do each have our own trials and I don’t minimize anyone’s . I’ve made Psalm 42:11 the screen saver for my phone, along with 2 Corinthians 12:9. Scripture helps more than anything in the struggle and of course prayers from sweet sisters. Friday was a particularly difficult day. I’m sure that the enemy is taking full advantage of my weakness now that I’m going to battle for my son-in-law. So good to hear the truths we are learning here and to have the support from all of you. ❤️
Oh, dear Chris. You have so much going on! I am praying! It is like juggling 5 plates in air! all at the same time! A tsunami! I am praying that God will give you peace and rest. I am so thankful we are able to share our trials on this wonderful blog, of like minded sisters in Jesus. There is power in this prayer team.
3. Watch the cartoon overview of James from the Bible Recap. Scroll down on the Devotional and find it. What stands out to you and why?
Firstly, James is really Jacob???! I don’t ever remember hearing that.
I’m interested in that the book is sort of like Proverbs, in that it gives short snippets of wisdom, and it focuses on Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. I tried to memorize the first part of this book before and probably got to about verse 7. Since I’ve never actually gone beyond that, I’m not sure that I have ever read the rest for understanding. It’s been a long time since we studied it with Paige. I’m going to see if I have notes somewhere, of her study. I think I have too much in my brain all the time and that makes me “forget.” This past week the You- Version app has had one of the Beatitudes as the verse of the day. Now I’m thinking, okay, these are overlapping for me so it must be important! Looking forward to re-learning!
I’m so glad, Laura – -I decided to have us slow down and look into some of the overlap with Sermon on the Mount and James next week — and James life and teachings. That is the point of a chronologicaly study!
Monday
3. I’ve been watching TLC on youtube, so I don’t see the other parts (ie devotional ,cartoons, etc). For this #3 I watched the animated video of James on the bibleproject. One statment near the beginning was that James wants to “…get in your business and challenge how you live.” In my words, James is getting down to the nitty-gritty of living.
4. Read James 1:1-18 and make observations. Then choose the one that stands out the most and share why.
testing/trials produces patience
God gives wisdom to those who ask for it (believing prayer)
wealthy position vs. humble faith
perseverance in trials/testing leads to crown of life
temptation comes from man’s own lust NOT from God
everything good/perfect comes from God (not men)
by His will we are born again “with the word of truth”
What stood out to me today was vs. 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
My mind immediately went to Psalm 1 “Blessed is the man…,” and I realized a connection that it’s by refusing to walk in the way of the world and “delighting” in the Word and “meditating” on it is how I am able endure whatever comes my way in life. James is not saying “just be happy.”
great connection between Psalm 1 and verse James 1:12
James 1-2 with Tara-Leigh and Dee
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the fact that the word “religion” is used only once in Scripture — and how James uses it?
—Many many years ago I read a little book called “How To Be a Christian Without Being Religious”. It shaped my thinking in the right context of what it means to be “religious”. What James says in these verses affirm the fact that it isn’t ceremonial practices that matter in a believers life. Pure religious life as he calls it is not about the practice of any kind of rituals for believers because the Christian faith has to do with having new life. Wiersbe says it is a miracle, a new birth, a divine life and emphasizes James’s comment “If any man imagines himself to be religious, then let him prove it by the life he lives.” The examples James gives are a controlled tongue, sacrificial service to widows and orphans and having a clean heart. Those things are not formalities and ceremonial activities. They come from a changed heart that reflects God’s heart.
How have you seen God in your life recently in joy or in trials?
—This past Thursday to Saturday we met friends from Wisconsin in Omaha. We enjoyed some very sweet fellowship in the Lord. On Saturday we were traveling in the city and using our voice map to direct us to a destination. In the process we got derailed and made a wrong turn which caused us to randomly take another street from the opposite direction to get there. When we arrived we could see the road that we originally would have taken was completely closed and we would have lost a great deal of time finding our way back. We felt God sovereignly caused us to make what appeared to be a wrong turn but He was actually taking care of us. There are more details to the scenario but it was a real joy to see how our gracious Heavenly Father took care of us.
Thanks for sharing from that “little book” and Wiersbe, Bev.
Is this the book?
The picture I copied did not show up! It’s a study on the book of Romans by Fritz Ridenour. If this is the one, I think I will get it (very inexpensive online).
I loved that book — I was a pretty new Christian too. He was ahead of Keller in his view of “religious”
I love that book, too. I love how God directed you on the “wrong road” to get to the “right destination” Bev! Also left your analysis about religion,
Tuesday: James 1:19-26
5. Make observations on James 1:19-26 then share your favorite and why.
be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
be doers and not just listen to the Word (self-deception)
practice what you preach
Today what was impressed upon me was vss.19,2019
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
I have been dealing with a lot of anger, and although I don’t lash out verbally, I lash out mentally. I found that I’ve been very short-tenoered, and these verses confirm how wrong I’ve been. My women’s group at church has been praying for me, that the Lord would show me the root cause of this anger. Reading these verses again today underscores that my anger is in oppostion to God and unproductive (harmful to myself, even). The Spirit has convicted me of a few things, but I have more work to do.
1. What stands out to you from the fact that the word “religion” is used only once in Scripture — and how James uses it.
James seems to be referring to outward appearances of rituals and public prayer, not lining up with a heart toward God. The inward focus of a heart loving and serving God, is one who hears the Word of God and obeys it in his actions, from his heart. (Unstained by the world.) A sinful man can do things to appear to be Holy and righteous, but if his motives are on self, he is deceived.(stained by and of the world). Hope this makes sense.
2. How have you seen God in your life recently in joy or in trials?
I do see the Lord in so many areas of my life, daily. I am trying to quit stressing, being anxious and fearful. I am letting go, praying and trying to leave my tears at the feet of Jesus. Some prayers our answered quickly other prayers will be answered in His time. I appreciated Chris mentioning, it is on His timeline, not on my timeline. Jesus is Lord. how glorious heaven will be when we are there, worshiping Him, healed from all our earthly pain and care..