Breakfast. The experts say it is the most important meal of the day. What does yours typically consist of? When the resurrected Jesus invites his followers to ‘Come and have breakfast’, it is an invitation to recognise Jesus, to identify him, to know him and to be present with him. So not only the best meal of the day but the best meal of their lifetime! And the good news is that this is an invitation open to all of us. Join Him!

Easter has happened, and Christ has risen! Just as the disciples continued to be amazed in the days and weeks that came after, we too can continue to learn and be astonished as we continue this journey with Jesus.

Easter is about rising from the dead, rising from the ashes of lost hope and rising from a life of loneliness and separation to a life of joining God and living with him forevermore. The cross is the greatest act of love where forgiveness reigns and reconciliation rules. Jesus is Lord. He is Risen. Hallelujah! This Easter, commit to Jesus and celebrate lives transformed and changed. In a world of such bad news, we need the Good News more than ever!

James concludes his letter by writing about the ups and downs of community life and how PRAYER and PRAISE need to be woven throughout our relationship with God and one another. James’ final sentence focuses on people who may have wandered away from FAITH. Because James is about doing faith, not just having faith! Why not act now to pray and encourage people in their faith journey! Especially friends you might know. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, “Not all who wander are lost”!

In chapter 5 of his letter, James encourages us to be patient, but, in reality, what does that mean? Well, in simple terms, being patient in waiting, patient in times of difficulty and patient with each other. But this is not easy - we all struggle with patience if we’re honest! The good news is we don’t have to struggle in our own strength - we have the power of the living Lord Jesus available to help us. Now that really is good news!

What is your life? That is the simple but very difficult question James asks in chapter 4, verse 14. This is more than a philosophical question. It is a question at the heart of what it means to be human and created in God’s image. Our life is precious, but it is a life that can be shaped, formed, filled and led by the love of God. Your life matters to God, so live it in such a way that God matters too!

James does not pull any punches in our passage today. He reminds us that our behaviour towards each other is a window into the state of our hearts. And the language he uses to do this is both blunt and emotive. Why? To make the point that many in the early church had chosen to seek what the world offers rather than God. But if you, like the early church, are concerned that your heart may be pointing in the wrong direction, then James has some amazing news.

Who is the wisest person you know? Is wisdom based on intelligence and volume of knowledge? Or is wisdom based on emotional maturity? Or perhaps wisdom is about self-awareness. I mean, we’re all insecure right, but we might not all be self-aware? James asks the question, ‘Who is wise among you?’ He then shares what true, godly wisdom looks like. It is curious, but James connects wisdom with knowing God (Proverbs 1:7) and how we speak to people around us (James 3:17-18). Our language matters! Wisdom is about choosing to speak the right way, perhaps with the right tone, certainly with the right motive and it should always lead to peace building.

Just do it'! Three words that capture the spirit of active faith from James 2:14-25, where he says faith without deeds is dead. But then the question is: 'What makes a Christian good deed compared to a worldly good deed'? And then: 'What is the ultimate good deed'?

Justice and equality for every human being is the heart of the good news of Jesus. As Paul says to the Galatians, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' In James's letter, the instruction is typically blunt: 'My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism'. So let us accept this challenge and, in doing so, keep the royal law found in Scripture: 'Love your neighbour as yourself'.