Day #76

Begin this time in prayer.

                                

Today we will continue answering questions from lesson #74.  To understand what we are doing more thoroughly, please click on… Day #74.

Please read James 5:13.

Did you know that the Greek word we get “cheerful” from in this verse can also be translated “to be merry?”  It can also mean “good spirited” or “happy mood.”  When others are in a good mood, what should we do?  When we are in a good mood, what should we do?  We should sing praises to God!!  End of story:)

The Bible is full of encouraging verses on this very thing.  Here are just a few.  Please look up and see for yourself.

1 Chronicles 16:8-9

1 Chronicles 16:23

Psalms 9:11

Psalms 30:4

Psalms 33:2-3

Psalm 47:6-7

Psalm 66:1-2

Psalm 67:4

Something to think about…

It is usually easy to rejoice when we are happy.  That’s a “no-brainer.” But how about when others are happy?  Is it always easy to rejoice with others when they are happy?  Truthfully told… it is not always easy.  Sometimes it is downright hard to do.  Why is that?  It is because of selfishness.   God wants us to be constantly aware of our attitudes and actions in all situations… in suffering, in rejoicing, and in sickness.  When we notice that our attitudes are not honoring to the Lord, we need to come to Him and confess it and ask Him for help and guidance in that area.

TARGET of the DAY

If someone around you is happy, ask them about it… show interest.  Celebrate with them.  Be creative in this.

Day #75

Begin this time in prayer.

Today we will begin answering several questions from lesson #74.  To understand what we are doing more thoroughly, please click on… Day #74.

Please read James 5:13-14.

What should we do when we are suffering?  What should we do when others are suffering?  Honestly, after the past several lessons on the rich and the poor, we ought to know this answer immediately. We should be praying!! 

Praying is essential to a life with Christ.  Yet, many don’t know how.  And, what’s more, many don’t know why we should be praying in the first place.  I want to share a part of my story on this very topic, in order to speak truth from God’s Word after.  So here goes… please click My Testimony.

Please read James 5:13-14 once more.  The Greek word that we get the word “suffering” from can also be translated “afflicted.”  To be afflicted means to be distressed with mental or bodily pain. 

Did you know prayer is appropriate for every situation of life?  Yet, for many of us, getting on our knees in prayer only happens when we are suffering.   In these times of affliction we tend to whine and say “why?”  Remember our lesson on Job a few days ago?  Remember how Job, his wife, and his friends prayed?  They fell into this “whiney why” trap, didn’t they? 

The more appropriate prayer is to ask “WHAT?”  “Lord, what are you saying in all of this hurt?  What do you want me to get in this?  What do you want me to do?”

Another appropriate prayer is “HELP!!”  This kind of prayer only comes from a believer who has had practice in making much of God and less of themselves.  This person recognizes who God is and that He is THE ONLY SOURCE of help they need.

Sometimes the appropriate prayer is one of praise and thanksgiving.  Please read Acts 16:23-34.  What was going on in this story and what did they do?

TARGET of the DAY

Today, spend time talking with God.   I challenge you to start keeping record of your prayers and updating them as things start to change.  In times of suffering and affliction, it is good to pull out this prayer journal and have physical proof of what God has done with your prayers.  Why?  Because in times of hurting we are weak and our memories are clouded.  Take action now for those times in the future.

Day #74

Begin this time in prayer.

A while back, when we were reading James 3:1-4:12, there was a pattern of good, bad, good as James was speaking to the people…

1.    First, James spoke on dangers of the tongue (James 3:1-12).

2.    Then, he told the people the solution to that danger…”wisdom from above.” (James 3:13-18)

3.    Finally, James comes back to the dangers of the tongue again (James 4:1-12).

Wow!  James really focused on the “dangers of the tongue” a lot.  And we know why too … it’s full of deadly poison!  He mentioned this repeatedly because it tends to cause terrible trouble in the church. 

The tongue usually starts getting out of control when there is intense disagreement over something (James 4:1).  After the intense disagreement is made known by way of the tongue, then slander starts (James 3:9, 4:11), which are lies told that are intended to ruin someone’s reputation.  Sadly, this infectious and destructive behavior tends to begin with leaders and then it trickles down to the rest of the people in the church.  Wow, and it all usually starts with a simple difference in opinion and people “wagging their tongue” about it!

                                                                                                           

Today’s lesson is going to be on something else that can cause destruction among people at church.  But, there is still a great solution for it.

Please read James 5:13-14.

Just like the pattern we mentioned above, there is also one here in these verses.  Can you tell what it is?  HINT:  Good, bad, good.

1.    Is anyone among you suffering?

2.    Is anyone among you cheerful?

3.    Is anyone among you sick?

In the next few days we will be finishing the book of James.  Can you believe it?  As we move through these last verses we will be answering several questions that will help us a lot in our walk with Christ!!

Questions like…

What are we supposed to do when we are suffering? 

What are we supposed to do when someone else is suffering?

What are we supposed to do when we are cheerful?

What are we supposed to do when someone else is cheerful?

What are we supposed to do when we are sick? 

What are we supposed to do when someone else is sick?

Seem like simple questions, ay?  But, just wait, you will soon find they are full of great learning!

TARGET of the DAY

As we end our time together, begin praying and asking God for wisdom.  When we ask God for His wisdom, He promises that it will come in overflowing amounts… so much that it spills.  He also promises that He will not put us down for asking.  Always remember what THE source is for God’s wisdom… THE BIBLE!!  You gotta be in it to get it ;D 

Next TARGET is to look into people’s eyes today.  Start noticing those that God places in your path.  As you move from point A to point B today, really look, give a smile, give a gentle word of kindness.    

Last of all; please begin reading the 2^nd chapter on Kisses from Katie.

Day #73

My prayer is that we continue to place ourselves in God’s hands daily.  I pray that He stretches us and squeezes us and that we grow from it.

Please read James 5:12.

What does this verse tell us?  Please write it out in your journal.

Above all that we have learned so far about our actions in times of testing or suffering, we should be most aware “our WORD.” 

"Our WORD" on what we say WE WILL or WE WILL NOT do, or be, is of vital importance in our walk with God.  It shows the world the type of character we have… good or bad… solid or wishy-washy… to be trusted or to be questioned. 

NOTE:  Please keep in mind that the verses we are reading today do not mean that all oaths are displeasing to God.  Please read…

-         Romans 1:9

-         2 Corinthians 1:23

-         Philippians 1:8

The oaths, or swears, that we are focusing on today are the ones that we use to manipulate others into believing us, when history may have proven that our WORD stinks.  After all, if what we said actually meant something, would we really have to swear?

Please read Matthew 5:33-37.

At no point should we as believers have to swear to prove that “our word” is good.  Using phrases like “I swear to God,” are unacceptable.  Actually, swearing on anything is unacceptable (ex.  Grandma’s grave, the dog, your sister’s life).  The message is clear, let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no.  If you are a person of good character, these are all the words you will ever have to use for people to trust you.  End of story!

TARGET of the DAY

What about us?  Is our WORD good?  Do we follow through with our commitments?  If we have to talk people into trusting us by using flashy swearing or bribes, this should be a huge NEON sign of poor character within us.  Our word is so crucial in our walk with Christ!!  Do we want respect?  Then we should keep our word and do what we say or shut our mouths all together.