Daily Word

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. James 3:17-18. This is polar opposite of selfish ambition. Wisdom that is from God reflects the purity of God Himself. This is what should identify each of us as followers of Christ rather than the bumper sticker, jewelry, or t-shirt…

Daily Word

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:12-16. Envy and covetousness poison the spirit and walk hand in hand with self-centered and self-serving ambition. The wisdom of the flesh reflects the deception of Satan and is foolishness in the sight of God. What is your hearts ambition seeking today…the flesh or the Spirit?

Weekend Quote

But blessed be His name. That which His Holiness demanded His grace has provided in Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ A.W. Pink

Weekend Quote

No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his part. ~ Jerry Bridges

Daily Word

Who is wise in understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in meekness of wisdom. James 3:13. Just as we are to demonstrate our faith through works, it is equally as important to demonstrate our wisdom through Godly living. Wisdom demonstrates a gentle and humble spirit. As arrogance and foolishness walk side by side, so does humility and wisdom. How will you walk today?

Daily Word

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. James 3:2. James exemplified the tongue as being representative of our depravity and pure wretchedness. No matter how hard we try to look good and put a front on before others. It is out of our heart the mouth speaketh revealing our hearts sinful condition.

Daily Word

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:24. You cannot prove to be justified by a simple profession of faith or by faith the stands alone. You can only prove to be just by what you do. There is nothing that you can do (works) that ultimately will bring you justification in God’s eyes. Only the actions of Christ on the cross can provide that kind of justification. It is by trusting in Christ alone that we can be made righteous in Christ. Our actions will then and only then will testify to our faith.

Daily Word

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe – and shudder! James 2:19. It’s seems today that most everyone claims to be Christian. To believe there is a God is mere mental assertion. To believe “in” God requires personal trust, faith, obedience, and submission…to GOD.

Weekend Quote

The holiness of God is not to be conceived of as one attribute among others; it is, rather, a general term representing the conception of His consummate perfection and total glory. It is His infinite moral perfection crowning His infinite intelligence and power. ~ A.A. Hodge

Weekend Quote

God works in us and with us, not against us or without us ~ John Owen

Daily Word

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10. There are no levels to sin. Some sins maybe more abhorrent than others but sin is sin period, and regardless of the sin. We are still committing it against the lawgiver who is deeply grieved. Neither, is there any variance in Christ’s grief to our sin. Often times we seem to forget oe ignore that...

Daily Word

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors’. James 2:8-9. The ability to look deeply within yourself and truly see in you what God sees is the maturity in your Christian walk to honestly love your neighbor as yourself. It would seem often times that most people fail to love themselves.

Daily Word

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory. James 2:1. The man behind the pulpit, or whose voice you hear on the radio, the man you watch on TV is simply just a man. No different than the one sitting next to you in service, the Christian working the check stand, or the guy pushing the cart cause he’s lost everything he owned. In the light of Christ’s divine glory it is foolish to show favoritism based on inferior levels of human glory.

Daily Word

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25. The law of liberty is that which has set you free. Your active obedience to the Word drives you to be a doer making your life blessed while simultaneously being a blessing to others.

Weekend Quote

Holiness in the believer is nothing less than conformity to the moral character of God. ~ Jerry Bridges

Daily Word

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1:22, 23. A sad reality of today is that many step through the doors of their church and hear the word, and then live throughout the week forgetting what they were like on Sunday.

Daily Word

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers’ only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:21, 22. There are many reasons people attend church today and often times the least them is to glorify and honor God. To do anything less than that is wickedness. True hearing of the word must lead to Godly action throughout the other six days a week.

Daily Word

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce righteousness. James 1:19, 20. It is the person whom intently listens to both the Word of truth, and listens to others regardless of what the situation might be rather than being quick to speak that demonstrates Godliness.

Daily Word

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:15-16. Taking responsibility for yourself and walking in maturity of Christ likeness is to recognize exactly what you allow to feed you’re desires. No one but you can prevent the process of being lured and enticed.

Weekend Quote

He hideth our unrighteousness with His righteousness, He covereth our disobedience with His obedience, He shadoweth our death with His death that the wrath of God cannot find us. ~ Henry Smith

Weekend Quote

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:7. Some scholars believe Paul coined the phrase “double-minded”. When we doubt the promises of God or doubt His word we are “double-minded”. Worldly wisdom and Spiritual wisdom do not coincide as doubt is produced from the worldly side and leaves you unstable in every area of your life.

Daily Word

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubt’s is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6. This verse continues along with yesterdays scripture on wisdom. However, it is fitting under every circumstance that we bring before the Father. How much does doubt permeate throughout your daily lives? Perhaps your daily life would feel less wind tossed if you built a stronger foundation in His Word to strengthen your trust and faith in God.

Daily Word

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5. Often times we seek knowledge rather than wisdom. Knowledge gives insight…Wisdom gives us proper application. To be wise in biblical terms is to know and understand godliness, to do what is pleasing to God. Only God is the true source of wisdom, and grants it to those who sincerely seek it from Him.

Daily Word

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2…If you walk through every trial confident in God’s sovereignty and knowing trials are designed by God for a purpose…as tests of faith given to develop your perseverance; you will learn that perseverance will produce maturity in your Christian Character.

Daily Word

For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5. When an unbeliever asks you for proof you have it. Having repented and trusted Christ you have experienced the power of the gospel. You have been transformed and given a new heart and new desires; which gives you “much assurance.” What manner of man are you among others?

Weekend Quote

For God does not want to save us by our own but by an extraneous righteous, one that does not originate in ourselves but comes to us from beyond ourselves, which does not arise on earth but comes from heaven. ~ Martin Luther