Letting God's Word Speak...

We started studying James in January-- and are just finishing up chapter 5...

I always say this after time in a particular book--

But I think it is my favorite...

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing (1:2-4).

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (1:5).

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (1:17).

Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (1:19 & 20).

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (1:22).

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (1:26 & 27)

So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.  For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment (2:13).

And the tongue is a fire...it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing (3:6,8,9,10).

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (3:18).

Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (4:6).

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills..." (4:15).

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (5:16).