SLAVE

"James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings" (James 1:1).

 

A "bond-servant" is a slave. the word (Greek: doulos) literally means, "to bend". Originally it was the lowest term in the scale of servitude. The idea is to give oneself up to the will of another. It's the most common word for "servant" used in the Bible.

 

Let me point out that one of the attitudes that God would have us adopt is the attitude of a doulos--a slave. God already has a great day planned for each of us and the key to enjoying it will be to allow God to be God and to simply join Him in His work.

 

Let me suggest that you repeat this to yourself and then attempt to accomplish it: "I am the slave of God and I will adjust my life to His agenda today".

TURNING

"Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).

 

This is our job: turning sinners from the error of their ways, saving souls from death, and covering sins. These are all the same thing and it's the great purpose of our restored lives. May heaven be populated with those that we've influenced--with those that we've shared the gracious good news of Jesus.

 

Someone that you will encounter today needs to know that Jesus loves them. If you watch--it will be obvious. When you see them--tell them!

DRIFTING

"My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back . . . ." (James 5:19).

 

The word "stray" in this verse is used in other places speak of the movement of the planets. Here, it can mean, a sort-of spiritual drifting. It happens when we begin to gradually move away from the presence of God. We start making decisions that move us away from the activity of God rather than towards it. Perhaps, we skip coming to worship for some reason--and then it's a few times--and then we don't go at all. We're drifting. The truth, mentioned here, is not some philosophical idea--The truth is a person--Jesus. He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). So, when we drift from Jesus, we have also drifted from the best course for our life (the way), and we are consequently drifting away from truth and towards deceit and denial and ultimately death (not life). Drifting is deadly!

 

Jesus tells us to go after the drifting ones (Matthew 18:12-14). With that in mind, Are you drifting? I have the name of each of our Grace River families on a sticky located on the wall of my office. Yesterday, twenty-three of our families were missing. Drifting perhaps?

 

Today, if you are drifting--please start swimming back to the boat--we miss you. For the rest of us, let's pick up the phone or write an email and see if we can come alongside some of our missing sheep brothers and sisters. Who have you missed? Give them a call and let them know that we are not the same without them.

RAIN

"Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit" (James 5:18).

 

Ahh...the prayer of blessing! There had been no sign of rain for 3 1/2 years. The land was desperately dry, crops had failed, thirst was everywhere. Elijah prayed and everything changed.

 

Today, like Elijah did, let's pray for rain! Pray for the rain of fulfilling jobs, the rain of cures for stubborn illnesses, the rain of relational healing, the rain of spiritual gifting, the rain of love, joy, and peace, and whatever other rain of blessing seems appropriate to you.

PRAYER

"Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months" (James 5:17)

 

As proof that the prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much, James points us to Elijah. He was a human being--just like you and me. In response to Elijah's prayer, no rain feel on the earth for 3 1/2 years. This sounds like a challenge to me. If Elijah was just like me and he could get an outrageous answer to prayer, why can't I?

 

Today, let me challenge you to make a list of some things that you really need God to do for you. Pick one or two and "pray earnestly". Keep it up all day--all the time looking for God's answer.

CONFESSION

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16).

 

Why should we confess our sins to each other? We confess our faults because James links confession and healing together in this passage (v15-16). Confession plus prayer equals healing. A righteous person's prayer accomplishes much. The righteousness of Christ is imputed upon us when we abandon our own futile attempts at self-rightousness. It is Christ's righteousness that heals and His righteousness is available to whomever confesses their need for it.

 

Today, let me suggest that you do something really scary. Find a trusted Christian friend and confess your faults to them. Tell them about your mistakes, your failures, and your issues. It was mentioned last evening in our men's Bible study that it is a lot harder to confess to a human than it is to confess to God. Why? Because humans may judge us--God never does! Today, find a trusted friend--risk by confessing--and then receive forgiveness and the empowerment of Christ's righteousness!

HEALING

"...and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him" (James 5:15).

 

What kind of prayer heals? Prayer that is offered in faith heals the sick. "Faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see" (Hebrews 11:1, NLT). To pray in faith is to ask God to do something, believing (more than doubting), that it really is going to happen. God loves these kinds of prayers--they please Him (Hebrews 11:6).

 

There is no doubt that today you will encounter someone who is sick. It may be a headache...or something more serious. Would you be willing to put yourself out there and pray a bold and loving prayer for healing? These kinds of prayers take practice. To the best of your faith (and God's ability)--confidently ask and believe that God will heal the person you are praying for. Keep trying and keep practicing...all day long. If you are willing, then God will bring some very special people your way today.

HEALING

"Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:14).

 

In the same way that one might naturally sing when they are happy or pray when they are struggling, the sick should call for the elders of the church. The word "elder" simply means "older ones". Elders might be the oldest ones in terms of age or they might just be the ones that have been around the church the longest. Perhaps they are the ones who have been Christians the longest. Regardless of how they became older, they are clearly the ones that have the most experience. These "experienced" ones are who you should call when you are sick. Now lets say that you are at work and one of your coworkers has a severe headache. Should you pray for them? Of course! You are the elder in this case. In fact, if anyone ever asks you to pray for them--they have asked you to take the role of elder in their life. Pray!

 

The oil is a biblical symbol of healing--no magical properties--just a good symbol. However, if you're going to pray for healing, you might as well use the biblical symbol and anoint the person you are praying for with oil, if you can. Do this in the name of the Lord--because it is Jesus who heals. Now if you are wanting to pray for someone and you don't have any oil handy--pray anyway!

 

Today, look for invitations to join Jesus in His ministry of healing. Boldly approach the sick and ask if you can pray for them. If nothing happens, they are no worse off. If healing happens, then God is glorified! Step out in faith and give it a try today!

REAL

"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises" (James 5:13).

 

A very literal translation of this verse would be: "Any among you suffering trouble? He must continually pray! Feeling good? He must sing!" These are two rather obvious responses to our circumstances. When we're in big trouble, it's the most natural thing in the world to pray. And When we're feeling great, it's hard not to sing . . . or whistle . . . or hum as we live our day. It just comes naturally.

 

And so, how are you feeling today? Hurting? Then pray! Happy? Then sing! You don't have to pretend that you are in a different place than you really are. Just be you today--whether you pray--or whether you sing.

TRUTH

"But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment" (James 5:12).

 

Philo said, "The more emphasis one puts on swearing, the more the swearer shows that there is some suspicion of his not being trustworthy". If we have to accentuate our words in order to emphasize that we are telling the truth--then it may indicate that we have a problem telling the truth.

 

Today, practice telling the truth:

• Do what you say when you say you will do it!
• Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
• Resist the urge to embellish or exaggerate!
• Be careful not to minimize or leave out important information!
• Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)!

PATIENCE

"As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10).


The prophets of old suffered hardship and demonstrated patience.  Our new message series, "10 Who Overcame", is based on this idea.  We sometimes look back on the heroes of the faith as if they weren't human.  We forget that they sinned, that they struggled, and that they suffered just like we do.  It's encouraging to read their stories and to see how they overcame.  A pretty good list of biblical heroes is found in Hebrews 11.


Today, imagine that the Bible is still being written and that you are one of the characters that is being written about.  Try writing down the details of your day--the good and the bad.  At the end of the day--determine what the message of God is in your life today.  What could others learn about God from your day?

COMPLAIN

"Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door" (James 5:9).

 

There's not much that I can do to further explain this verse. "Don't complain about each other". It's pretty simple. The reason given is to avoid judgement. Don't complain about each other because you don't want to be judged.

 

Today, let me challenge you to watch your words. Keep them positive and encouraging. Avoid the temptation to complain.

PATIENCE

"You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near" (James 5:8).

 

To strengthen your heart is to stabalize it. It is to fall back upon what you know to be undeniably true. What promises has God made to you? Remember them...rehearse them...trust them. Difficult times will always come. Use them as an opportunity to strengthen your heart.

 

We should also remind ourselves today that patience is a fruit of the Spirit--a gift from God (Gal. 5:22-23). Jesus promises that our Father will give the Holy Spirit to us if we will only ask.

 

Today, invite God's Holy Spirit to fill you--to saturate you through and through. Find a promise from God and stand on it.

PATIENCE

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains" (James 5:7).

 

Almost all of us are going through some tough times these days--financially, relationally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. You may want to quit but the message for us today is, "be patient"--Jesus is coming! Be patient (like a farmer) because the crops are coming. The rain is coming and the harvest is coming. Your deliverance is coming. Lord Jesus is coming with all that He is and all that He does!

 

The word "patient" carries the idea of having an attitude that can endure delay, can bear suffering, and never gives up. Your suffering is for a season--and then it will lift. Be patient!

 

Today, should feel your heart giving up or despairing--close your eyes and remind yourself that Jesus is even now on His way to rescue you. He is coming!

MURDER

"You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you" (James 5:6).

 

Who is the "righteous" man? In one sense--there are none who are righteous (Rom 3:10). In another sense--all who are in Christ are righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). I would suggest to you that none of us are very good at spotting true godly righteousness and therefore none of us stand in place where we can afford to condemn anyone. And though we would never literally kill someone--we can easily do it with our words--our gossip.

 

So, today, let us all make every attempt to build up each other in love--and avoid the temptation to tear down with our words.

ENOUGH

"You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter" (James 5:5).

 

I suppose that one of the sins that must grieve the heart of God the most is for a Christian to live in luxury while the world starves. The scriptures are packed with teaching directed towards sacrificing that others might have enough. I know that at my house, even when we say that we're out of food, we still have plenty.

 

Each week at Grace River, we have a basket available in which to donate food items for the food bank. We are currently resourcing the Windsor Food Bank. Take a moment today and grab a few cans of food that have been in your cabinet for awhile. Bring them to church with you on Sunday and put them in the basket. May we get in the habit of bringing something to donate every week.