I hope you are getting deeper insights by comparing Scripture with Scripture as I am! It is so interesting to look at the book of James within the context of Acts and the Old Testament, for James would have been steeped in the Old Testament. The great controversy of James, as we have seen, is the accusation that he advocated salvation by works. Next week we will see this very same James preaching the gospel in Acts.
What James teaches is put so well by Luther.
In James 5, James quoting the Bible he knew so well –the Old Testament. Think of it: 66 books written over many centuries, many continents and from many cultures by, for the most part, those who had no connect with one another. Yet it is one story, and the same repeated teachings?
Why?
Our Lord is the author.
Sunday:
- How have you experienced the presence of God this week?
Monday: James 5:1-6
2. Make 5 observations.
3. What particularly stands out to you and why?
4. How does Malachi 3:5 teach the same theme?
5. Compares James 5:4 to Genesis 4:10. What do you learn from this?
6. How does Hebrews 12:24 bring the gospel out of these passages?
Tuesday: James 5:7-12
7. Make 5 observations.
8. What particularly stands out to you and why?
9. Read Ezekiel 14:1-5 and explain the sin beneath all sins. Can you give an example from your life?
10. Read Ezekiel 14:12-14 and also 14:19-20. What do you learn from this?
11. How does this parallel James 5:11?
Wednesday: James 5:12
Growing up my father always told me, “You don’t have appointments, you have commitments.” He stressed how important my word was and I’ve never forgotten it.
12. Meditate on this verse and explain James’ warning.
13. How would you apply it? Do you live this way?
14. Find the parallel in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
15. Find the parallel in Jesus parable in Matthew 21:28-32.
16.Why must we be so cautious about making vows or promises according to Ecclesiastes 5:1-2? Application?
Thursday: James 5:13-19
17. Make an observation for each verse.
18. What stands out to you and why?
19.Read 1 King 17-18. What do you learn about Elijah?
20. What encouragement do we find in James 5:17-18?
21. What questions do you have to ask your sisters from this passage?
Friday: Tara Leigh Cobble
22. Watch Day 53 in New Testament or click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHmiSDrJAec&t=197s
23. What stands out and why?
Saturday: Share your God Shot!
22 comments
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of God this week?
Dee, first of all, I appreciate what you said about the 66 books having only 1 author, that is our Lord! He has chosen everything that’s in it. Today, our pastor’s passage was Acts 20:1-12, which included the story of a boy named, Tychicus, who fell out of a third story window! What the? Why is it included in the Bible?
I was on the edge of my seat wondering where the pastor would take the story. I appreciated his take that when the church faced this seemingly sad event, that God provided a miracle through Paul. He then applied it to our lives, to our church; that when we might feel like “death” is present among us, God is still with us, and He will provide whatever we need. Tychicus lived and the people “were comforted”.
I have to keep in mind that this was the NT church-a long time ago. God deemed it fit to do miracles through human beings. It is a mystery but we know this truly happened. Forgive my rabbit trailing.
My garden has been the source of time with God. Being a trial and error gardener has allowed me opportunities to learn the how to’s and to bask in what is before me. I stand in awe at the beauty of God’s creation. There is nothing like a real calendula flower or the heady smell of basil or dill. They bring such delight to the senses; Psalm 8 comes to mind. I also had seen some sprinkling of beetles on my tomatoes but they seemed to have left the plants after being sprayed with soapy water. I wonder if beetles will be in heaven. “No eyes have seen nor ears have heard what God has in store for us.” Even now, there is much that He has for each of us!
Bing, what a lovely view you have of the eternal impact on our world, from the author of the Word, to the worker of miracles, to the author of the beauty in your garden. I love your sense of wonder about beetles in heaven. Even now, he has much for each of us. Such a beautiful outlook. Thank you.
I love your entire post, Bing. What lovely reminders that God is our Creator, Miracle Maker and Ruler of all. I love what Chris wrote about your sense of wonder. Such a beautiful way to start a week. God has always been with us and is here today. Thank you for this blessing!
I too loved Bing’s entire post.
Bing, Yes I concur with the others about your post. Delightful to read. 😊
We had a guest speaker at our church yesterday morning and his sermon was about his experiences with gardening. He made a number of analogies to the Christian life. You would have greatly appreciated his thoughts.
2. Make 5 observations.
There is a warning to rich people. There will be terrible troubles ahead.
They have hoarded their wealth.
The things they have hoarded are rotting away.
The workers have been cheated by the wealthy.
God hears the cries of the workers.
3. What particularly stands out to you and why?
There’s great emphasis put on just how much wealth has been accumulated and how it is not worth anything. I look around to see how fortunate I am with my own wealth.
4. How does Malachi 3:5 teach the same theme?
It speaks of the justice that will be delivered by the Lord.
Laura, I see this passage as not so much a knock on wealth as what is done with it. The wealthy who abuse their blessings rather than use it to bless others are the ones being called out. Abel gave the first fruits to the Lord, but Cain kept back from the Lord, etc. Also, the emphasis on those who are cheated being remembered and avenged by the Lord.
Sunday:
How have you experienced the presence of God this week? I agree with Bing, that my garden is a place where I can find peace and enjoy the wonders of God’s creation. I am growing snapdragons for the first time this year. I am enjoying their beauty on my kitchen table. This week I will need to be careful to attend it in the early morning hours with the heat wave coming. I wonder at the extremes in the weather and how we must trust God in these things. We are indeed at his mercy! This past week we learned that our son who lost his daughter 3 years ago is now expecting twins! We have all been amazed at this blessing. I didn’t know what to think when I shared the news with a friend who has twins and he said, “I wouldn’t wish twins on anybody-but congratulations.” His grievance was about the lack of sleep the first 6 months. At any rate, the Lord is keeping me close by giving me his promises to hold onto. I hear them in my mind and the bible studies I’m doing and in music. I do truly appreciate the ways in which our studies here with Dee have stretched us and helped us grow. This week looks like another great week of challenge. Thank you, Dee.
Thank you, Chris. There are times I wonder if I’m being a good steward of time and money with this blog, so encouragement means a lot. I would also so miss this group if I stopped!
Dee, I was just thinking this morning about the work, time and money of keeping this blog going. I pray God will make it clear to you in the future but it truly has been a valuable ministry and a great blessing to many. Definitely to me.
Congratulations, Chris! How wonderful and exciting for your son and DIL.
Congratulations Chris, on this sweet news. What a beautiful blessing! I have twin cousins and they are still best friends and live close to one another.
I wrote my blessing from God for the week before I read Dee’s comments. Oh, this Blog is such a life line for me. You have each blessed my life in so many ways. Oh,Dee, I will pray that God will speak to your heart and encourage you. Even the days I miss, I go back and read the posts. I feel like you all are such close friends, I would miss you terribly. ( I was even thinking this morning, what a small world this has become….years ago in our school class at Church, a husband was from Broken Bow, Nebraska.😊 His wife, now in Oregon, is one of my closest friends. )
6. How does Hebrews 12:24 bring the gospel out of these passages?
God was the avenger of righteous Abel, but Jesus is the mediator for us with God. I admit I had to look into commentaries and do not have a full grasp of this passage yet. I typed answers to the previous questions and it all got lost, so I will have to come back to this.
Another funeral this week for a friend’s grandson who was killed in a tragic accident. The weight of this world is heavy this season. This is the fourth funeral in a short time.
I’m so sorry, Chris. This life is full of trouble.
So much sadness, Chris. Dear Lord, You are a God of comfort and peace. Please comfort all the families and friends who are going through this time of grief. We know that it won’t end with the funeral, but You are there all the time and will continue to be there in the days ahead. I pray that hearts turn to You. Thank You, Holy Spirit for Your abiding presence. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Oh, Chris. This is heartbreaking. Amen to Bev’s beautiful prayer. I pray that many will turn to Jesus. I pray for God’s presence and peace be with this family at this difficult time.
Thank you, all. I was greatly encouraged by the strong faith demonstrated by the immediate family. ❤️
Sunday:
How have you experienced the presence of God this week?
—This past week has been a whirlwind of trying to decide and finalize buying a home in Lincoln. Today we travel back down to hopefully make an offer and sign papers to that end. We have been in much prayer seeking God’s direction and trying to let Him shape our thinking.
I am feeling my age and the many aches that come with it. It feels a bit overwhelming to face the physical aspects of a move. Packing up a whole household of belongings and sorting through and dispensing with many extras that just don’t need to move with us is emotional, mental and physical work. Especially after 36 years in one place. But yet God is in the middle of this move and not far away. A big factor is the very settled peace we have that this is His decision and we are comfortable that it is a good decision. He has affirmed that for us and that has come much through prayer. I just couldn’t do this without Jesus. I am so grateful for his presence. 💕
Bing, once I am a bit settled we will have to figure out a time to meet. You are welcome in my home anytime, when I have one. 😄
But I would be glad to drive half way to meet you too.
Bev, I am praying for you, as you follow Jesus on this move. I love reading all that He is doing, as He walks though this with you and Terry. He is so faithful and I think back to all that happened nearly 2 years ago, when I moved to the other side of the country from the my place of comfort since college and marriage. I have hard days, but I see His hand daily in everything. Praying for your current church and Dee’s church.
Monday: James 5:1-6
2. Make 5 observations. 1. Warning to rich men, mourn for future misery 2. Your wealth is corrupt (worthless) 3. You have piled up treasure (money) for your future 4. You have cheated your employees of their wages, keeping it for yourself 5. You have led a life devoted to your own pleasure and condemned the righteous man
3. What particularly stands out to you and why? This whole passage stands out to me, because James is talking to wealthy men WITHIN the church community. James reminds me that it is easy to rely on money, live to please myself, and ignore the poor.
4. How does Malachi 3:5 teach the same theme? There will be a future judgement by the LORD when earthly wealth will not protect you,, and how you have treated others (employees, widows, poor) will be punished.
5. Compares James 5:4 to Genesis 4:10. What do you learn from this? The LORD hears the cries and sees the plight of the oppressed/murdered, and He WILL judge/punish those who commit those acts.
6. How does Hebrews 12:24 bring the gospel out of these passages? Abel’s blood cried out for vengence, but the blood of Jesus covers us with forgiveness and peace.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God this week?
I have felt God’s presence so much through reading the posts on our blog. It gives me such joy just to see how God has connected our lives, from so many parts of the country, in such deep and meaningful ways. It is wonderful just to see those, who are super busy and doing this silently, pop up with a sweet comment. I love seeing God working constantly on connecting and reconnecting His children. I am praying for God’s hand on so many churches that are struggling right now.
I love this, dear Patti.