The Essential James

James 5:19-20 (ESV)
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Have you ever wandered away from God? In the past year we heard a high profile athlete discuss how his current indiscretions were caused by his wandering away from his core values. We live in a world full of those who have wandered. That is plain to see. The bigger question is who is ready to bring them back home?

Join us today as we discuss how you are God’s spiritual GPS unit designed to help people find their way back home.

James 4:4 (ESV)
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

What does it mean to be “worldly” or to be a friend of the world? So often we focus on the external elements while ignoring the ugly within. Join us today as we discuss how you may be worldly, without having any of the traditional trappings that are so often associated with this topic.

James 1:2-3
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

There are very few things more exciting than seeing someone launch into their spiritual journey. The excitement, passion, and awe that they exhibit can be contagious. Then trouble hits. Trials come their way. Far too many are unprepared, and often their enthusiasm fails. Spiritual dropouts are everywhere, and James calls us to be ready so that we don’t become another statistic. So, what do you do when troubles come your way, and how do you protect yourself from become a spiritual drop out?

Join us today as we discover what James has to say about endurance.

James 3:3-5 (ESV)
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

Words are little things that can make a big difference in our lives. The right word at the right time has the ability to cause one to soar above their circumstances. On the flip side, the wrong word at the wrong time has the power to chain you to your circumstances. The power is exercised by a small member of our bodies – our tongues.

Join us today as we discuss how we are called to use our… words.

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

How many of us would say that they could use more wisdom? Whether as a single, as a spouse or a parent, having wisdom to know God’s plan for your lives is HUGE.

Join us today as we discuss how God is generous in giving us all the wisdom we need… only sometimes we aren’t wise enough to recognize it. How is that for a paradox?