What is the impact of a living faith in my life? It causes me to live moving toward spiritual wholeness. In the last chapter of James, we see five ways that our attitudes and actions are impacted by spiritual wholeness.

The fourth chapter of James expounds upon the truth of what practical Christianity looks like and the way we plan and speak of future events. It reminds us of where our treasure should be found—in Christ.

The third chapter of James is one in which we learn how faith, when practiced in relation to one another, can either destroy lives or build community. How we teach, speak, and think matters. And a faithful believer pays attention to that which is not only in his heart, but to that which comes out of his mouth. Solomon wisely spoke in Proverbs 21:23, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” James might add,“… and everyone else around him!”

A genuine believer in Jesus Christ—a true follower of all that He is and all that He teaches—has quite a story to tell. It is a story that is first revealed by a changed life. James helps us see that if we have truly stepped into following Christ, then our life will be very different—because we are different. Our faith is a living faith!

Manny Mill is Executive Director of Koinonia House® National Ministries (KHNM). Since 1991 when the Koinonia House of Wheaton was opened, and 1997 when KHNM began, Manny has been developing a core of post-prison ministry leaders to equip the church to meet the needs of Christian ex-prisoners returning to society. He currently invests much of his time traveling to different churches, prisons, ministries, colleges and conferences to present the mission to "equip, assist and support" members of the local church in their ability to embrace Christians coming out of prison.

The Joy of seeing Christ alive! We serve a God who is alive. There is a joy that comes to a person when they realize that Jesus is God and that He is not dead. Have you come to know that Jesus is alive?

As the palm branches wave, Jesus weeps. Even as prophecy is fulfilled as Jesus enters the city, yet He knows He is not being received. He weeps as He speaks a new prophecy—one that pains Him to the point of tears.

“You can do more than pray after you have prayed. But you can not do more than pray until you have prayed. And just there is where we have all seemed to make a slip at times, and many of us are yet making it—a bad slip. We think we can do more where we are through our service: then prayer to give power to service. No—with the blackest underscoring of emphasis, let it be said—NO. We can do no thing of real power until we have done the prayer thing.”S. D. Gordon: Quiet Talks on Prayer; 1904

“Because he himself [Jesus] suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews2:18Jesus shows us by example how to respond to suffering and temptation. Submission to God in earnest prayer is the way to stand in the midst of trials and temptations.

Baptism illustrates the true victory of redemption. In Christ, we have died to sin and been made alive to God. Our old self has been put to death and we are given new life! We are redeemed—set free from our bondage to sin. Baptism is a beautiful illustration of the victory that has been secured in Jesus.