Talk is Cheap

As we've been making our way through the book of James, the Holy Spirit has "stepped on our toes" once or twice already --and we're only in chapter 2 which ends with the words: "faith without works is dead." Six times in chapter 2 James pairs faith and works together... I think he wanted us to get the point. But what exactly does that mean?

That's where chapter 3 gets even more pointed, as James begins to discuss our faith working through our mouths. Faith at work will bring the fruit of our mouth to maturity as he notes in verse 2 that if we can tame our tongue we can tame the rest of our flesh because "the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity" (v.6).

I don't know about you, but that's a steep challenge for me...bridling my tongue. But, the power of the Holy Spirit is given to us for such challenges. Thank You, Lord.

Our memorization verses for this week (if you're working on the whole book) will be:

                                             James 3:1-9 

For those meditating on the passage used in the weekend message it is:

James 2:20-23

Memorization Tip for the week:
To review verses already memorized, say them backwards (not the verse but the order of verses). For example:

Chapter 1 verse 27

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

then verse 26

If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

then verse 25 (etc.)

To learn new verses, have some fun with dry erase markers and your bathroom mirror...

(or lipstick but that's harder to wash off). Write your verse on your mirror the night before and work on it in the morning as you get ready for the day. That evening, see if you can say it, erasing one word at a time. Just don't write on the walls...mom gets mad!

Do You Want to Know?

Do you want to know?

That's a good question.  Sometimes we just don't want to know because then we'll be responsible for what we've learned.  James confronts us with this question in chapter 2 verse 20:  "Do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"
We have a multitude of examples in scripture and throughout church history that show us the way of true faith.  True faith will compel us to pray like the Psalmist did in Psalm 19 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O God."
True faith will compel us to share the gospel with the world around us.
True faith acts.

Memory verses for this week's challenge of memorizing the book of James:

James 2:19-26

Verses for meditation on the James Summer Challenge

James 2:14-26



Memorization Tip of the Week:

Write out the verse in pencil.  Read it out loud.

Then erase the first word and read it out loud saying the erased word.

Continue in this manner, erasing a word at a time and repeating the verse (with reference).  By the time you do this, all the words will be erased and you'll have the verse memorized!



The Implanted Word


James is hard-hitting about being transformed by the word through actively and purposefully living our faith and not just sitting back on our "blessed assurance."  What does that mean?  As we've been meditating on what the Lord is saying through this epistle of James it is obvious that there is something expected of those who have been saved by grace through faith - we don't just sit back, live in our old fleshly ways and wait for heaven.  The amazing grace that has saved us is also prepared to transform us.  As we look into the mirror of the word as described in 1:25 it is not so that we see our faults and failures but for us to see who we are called to be in Christ Jesus and continue reflecting that image in the way we live.  As we do, we will be blessed!


For those enjoying the challenge of memorizing James, our verses this week will be:

James 2:10-18

For those of you concentrating on the verses Pastor Jeff preaches weekly for meditation:

James 2:1-9

Memorization Tip of the Week:

Try writing your verse(s) of the day on a 3x5 card or slip of paper that you can easily carry with you throughout your day.  From time to time, try to say the verse without looking at the card; then check yourself (don't forget to say the reference, too).  If you get it right, try saying the previous verse.  If you get it wrong, say the part you missed five times and try the whole verse again.  By reciting the verse in different situations and activities (walking, jogging, sitting, etc.) it will help you with recall in the future.

We'd love to hear more about what you're learning as we spend time in James together.

PC's challenge from the Lord this week came in the area of "partiality."  In our church, everyone is welcomed and accepted readily.  However, the Lord opened my heart to hear from Him that I'm not always like that in other settings.  I often gravitate toward those with whom I easily identify and avoid those with whom conversation may seem difficult.  Partiality isn't just about rich or poor.  It's about personality, looks, life issues and so much more.  God is not swayed by any of these things and never shows partiality.  Holy Spirit, lead me in this transformation process to be more like Jesus.

Focus on the Why

This week, Pastor Jeff & Caitlin Berg shared about what it means to be "doers of the word" and not just hearers from James 1:1-27 (verses for meditation for challenge #3)


Caitlin shared about her work with Metro Ministries in the ghettos of NYC and that there are a lot of things that could cause her to quit doing this work of the Word...drug infested projects...people dropping dead in front of her...gunshots that keep her awake at night...driving a big bus in the city...she calls those the "whats."  "Whats" are things that happen or could happen.  She challenges us to focus on the "whys" of ministering the Word.  The children she reaches with the gospel each week, who have no hope of a better life outside of Christ and whose path is destruction unless they are rescued with the love of Christ.


You may not be called to inner city NY, but you are called to "do" the Word wherever you are.  That's what being a disciple is all about.  Thanks, Catie.


For those memorizing the book of James this summer our verses are:

James 2:1-9

This week's memorization tip:

For retention of the verses you've memorized...try quizzing yourself.  Ask yourself a random verse.  Example:  What is James 1:6?  You may have to think of the preceding verses but you'll get it.  Then, when you move on to another chapter quiz yourself like this:  What is verse 2 in chapter 1?  chapter 2? chapter 3?  etc.  Or, do it with a friend.  This will help you keep what you've committed to memory...and it's fun!  

Be sure to click on the previous postings and read testimonies that have been shared...and share your own!

Baby Steps

     Isn't it great that when we take baby steps toward the Lord that He makes up the distance supernaturally?
     The testimonies we've been hearing from you are so encouraging--and we hope that you're sharing your insights and testimonies with others so that many will be encouraged.
     If you are taking up the challenge to memorize the WHOLE book of James this summer, our next set of verses is:

JAMES 1:19-27.

     If you're meditating on the verses from Pastor Jeff's weekly sermon, this past week he taught on James 1:16-18.


Memorization tip of the week:
Create an outlandish picture in your mind about the verse and picture it as a video when you say the verse.  Example:  James 1:11
For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat (picture a huge, cartoonish sun that's throwing flames to the earth)
than it withers the grass (picture grass withering & whining)
its flower falls & its beautiful appearance perishes (picture a flower falling off a cliff and a crumpled heap as it hits the ground and perishes)
So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits (picture extravagantly dressed "Austin Powers" type guy who fades away like the invisible man as he pursues more riches)


It seems silly, but using outlandish, visual imagery will help verses and concepts stick with you.  Just think about the pictures you create in your mind and the words will come!


     Wherever you are engaging The James Summer Challenge, please take a moment and write a quick comment to share about how you're doing and spur each other on to growth.


The Lord got my attention in verse 14 this week.  It says:  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desire and enticed.  I have been asking the Lord this question:  "What desires do I have in my heart that would draw me away to be enticed?"
Oooh...keep working with me, Lord.