Prayer is Vital!

Reasons why prayer is important:

Prayer connects us with GodPrayer reveals God’s purpose for our livesPrayer overcomes anxiety and fearPrayer enables us to live supernaturally

Settle in your heart who Jesus is.When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Matthew 16:13-14 NLTThen he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16 NLTTrust Jesus loves you more than you can imagine.For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NLTGive all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLTEvaluate who you are surrounding yourself with.So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10:17 NLTWhen Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. Matthew 9:23-24 NLTAfter the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside. Matthew 9:25-26 NLTKeep your eyes on Jesus.

Following Jesus does not exempt us from storms.

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. Proverbs 10:25 NLT

He’s a supernatural God who’s working, even when we don’t understand.

Miracles are often supernatural and hard to explain but the purpose is bigger than showing us what God can do. Miracles show us who He is.

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Our time is short.“Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is returning tomorrow.” – Martin Luther Our trials are temporary.Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. James 5:9-10 NLTWe give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James 5:11Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:13-14 NLTSuch a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. James 5:15

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you James 4:7-8 NLT1. Humble Yourselves2. Release Control3. Submit to GodHow do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:14-15

Whoever invest the most time wins.Unity does not happen accidentally. It happens intentionally. So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. Joshua 24:14 NLTDear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 NLTSo let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:4 NLTGod is on a mission to make you whole.

We looked at James chapter 3 today. The Word compares the tongue (your speech) to 3 different things: a bit in a horse’s mouth, a rudder that steers a ship, and spark that can set a forest on fire. James 3:1-6.Your words have the power to steer and/or shatter your life (depending on how you use them).Old Testament scriptures that speak to the danger of the tongue if uncontrolled.Proverbs 13:3, 21-23, 10:19, and 18:21.Your influence is gained in drops but can be lost in buckets.One of the fastest ways to figure out the condition of your heart or the heart of others is to:Listen to how a person talks ABOUT themselves and others, andListen to how a person talks TO themselves and others.Every word has value.James 3:7-10, 1:26, 19-20, 21.(If we get the lesson from James 3 right, we can have a wonderful life and great relationships).Fill out a connect card, take a next step, or find upcoming events here:https://linktr.ee/youarevital.church

God is on a mission to make you whole. My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

James 2:1 NLT

Your faith in the Lord impacts how you treat others.

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

James 2:8-9 NLT

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

James 2:13

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

James 2:14 NLT

So you see, Faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

James 2:17 NLT

Your good deeds prove to the world that your faith in Christ is authentic.

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."

James 2:18 NLT

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

James 2:19-20 NLT

So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

James 2:24 NLT

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

James 2:26 NLT

"One of the most dangerous threats to the Christian faith is someone who says they love Jesus, but live as if He never existed."

- Scott Hubbard

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

Matthew 7:20 NLT

the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

Don't hide your light. Show it!