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.