Walk With God

SCRIPTURE: James 2:14-26

SHOW NOTES: As believers in Jesus Christ, our everyday actions should “match” our words of faith. The way we live out our faith each day really matters! James tells us that faith and works go “hand in hand.” Genuine faith will be lived out through deeds, and he points to charitable works or generosity. Do we visit the widow and orphans? Do we neglect the poor and show partiality to the rich? We may believe that God loves the poor but if our actions do not demonstrate our care and concern for their daily needs then our faith is not alive. In fact, our faith is dead. It is inactive, it is dormant. James writes, “You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

SONG: "Stand In Faith" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIREaGBN4Jw

SCRIPTURE: James 2:1-13 

SHOW NOTES: James now expands his thoughts from chapter one, verse 27 – How is a believer to treat orphans and widows in their times of distress, need, and struggle? In chapter two, he presents the issue of personal favoritism. James contrasts a rich man with fine clothes and gold to a poor man in dirty clothes. As believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, we have experienced the abundant gift of His mercy and our sins have been forgiven. We must graciously extend mercy, love, and forgiveness to other people. 

SONG: "His Mercy is More" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1GiZL60c80

SCRIPTURE: James 1:19-27

SHOW NOTES: James wants his readers to realize the trials and troubles of this life are opportunities for every believer to grow and mature in their personal walk with God. He begins with “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face many various trials,” and now he wants us to consider the reality of our behavior when we face various trials. 

1.     Be quick to hear 

2.    Be slow to speak 

3.    Be slow to anger 

James exhorts us to “put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” God’s Word implanted in our hearts and lives is like a seed which is intended to grow and change us from the inside out. We are instructed to listen submissively and actively apply the Word of God in our daily lives. James calls each of us to “be doers of the word … not hearers only.”  

SONG: "Open the Eyes of My Heart" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72_Nwhhz8DA&list=PLym7Ot9MTAD8LVTIBxd89yh_r0-RBEBS1&index=30

SCRIPTURE: James 1:12-18 

SHOW NOTES: We want the characteristics of faith and endurance in our life, but we don’t really like the process. Right? Because we really don’t like to be uncomfortable, or inconvenienced, or experience hardship, sickness, or death. “Let endurance have its perfect result – so you may be mature, complete, lacking in nothing.”

Yet, we truly desire to be approved by God and our hope is that we would receive the reward of the crown of life. As we continue working our way through this book, James now returns to the theme of testing. He reminds us that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from our loving heavenly Father. In the middle of the trouble, consider it all joy! 

SONG: "How Good Is He" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL4LIzYeOVA

SCRIPTURE: James 1:9-12 / Isaiah 40:6-8 / Revelation 2:10 

SHOW NOTES:  The book of James begins with the topic of trials and God wants us to have His perspective. “Consider it pure joy” when we face many different trials. Secondly, He tells us the only way we can have His perspective is to have His wisdom. Today, let’s look at our circumstances. Those believers who are lowly and poor have been given a high position because God lifts them up and gives them dignity and worth. In contrast, the rich person is humbled by their human frailty – the comforts and pleasures they enjoy will be last for a brief time. The person who holds on amid afflictions or temptations will grow strong in their faith and will enjoy spiritual happiness and the favor of God. God has promised the crown of life to those who remain steadfast under trials and love Him.  

 SONG: "Patiently Endure" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fba0iHb40ms

SCRIPTURE: James 1:2-8 / John 16:33 / Philippians 4:7 

SHOW NOTES: James encourages Jewish believers to apply action and attitude to their faith walk. He begins with a difficult topic – trials of many kinds – and he states, “Consider it joy whenever you face trials.” This attitude of joy does not come automatically because, it doesn’t feel good when we go through trials and hard times. Rather, we need to think deeply and examine our heart-felt response as we face life’s troubles. God’s purpose is to mature us and to see our faith strengthened. Tests will come, but through them, the Lord teaches us more about Himself. 

For change to occur, we need to be challenged, work through some difficult days and situations, and come face to face with our shortcomings. We need the Holy Spirit’s power flowing through our hearts & minds. Lord, change our actions & attitudes. We count it joy!

SONG: "When Trials Come" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpScEpriWZs

SCRIPTURE: James 1:1 / Matthew 13:53-57 / Acts 2:5 

SHOW NOTES: Wherever you may find yourself today, each of us needs the Lord’s direction and counsel for the circumstances we face. The book of James provides instruction for guidance, conduct, and suffering as we walk with Him. James introduces himself with this title – “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He does not assume privilege or position but rather presents himself as one who serves God and Jesus. One of the first New Testament books written, James offers God’s perspective in the midst of trials, and he encourages us to ask God to provide wisdom for every situation we face in this life. Let’s begin our study in the book of James – Faith in Action. 

SONG: "In Jesus Name" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqHjjZz1Syg

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:1-18 / Micah 5:2 / Psalm 92:1-2  

SHOW NOTES: The wise men traveled from the east to Jerusalem. They have come in search of the one who “has been born king of the Jews.” And, when they arrived in the courts of King Herod, the wise men told him, “We have come to worship him.” Where was this baby born? The religious leaders searched the Hebrew Scriptures and found the words of the prophet, Micah saying, “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah … from you shall come a ruler.” Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem with the request that they would tell him where they found the child so that he might also come to worship him. When the caravan reaches the house, they bow before the child in worship and present their expensive gifts to him. These gifts remind us that Jesus was born King and He is worthy of our worship. A short time later, a tragedy takes place in Bethlehem – many young boys, innocent babes, and toddlers are put to death. Families are caught in grief and suffering. In this life, there will be struggles, pain, and hardship. God is our hope and we must turn to Him. Wise people will choose to seek and worship Christ … even in the midst of dark days, hard times, confusion, deception, and suffering. We must choose to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to His name, and to declare His steadfast love in the morning, and His faithfulness by night.

SONGS: 

"Crown Him" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-G8CPW4oSw

"Praise You Forever" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH_ps0AU8rk&list=RDMM&start_radio=1&rv=fsQOCAFszPk

SCRIPTURES: Hebrews 11:1-2 and Luke 2:22-40.

SHOW NOTES: We are familiar with many of the details and characters found in Luke 2 – Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and angels. Yet later in the chapter, we are introduced to two people, a man and a woman, who exhibit strong qualities of trust, confidence, and hope in the Lord of Israel. These two had lived their lives in an admirable and commendable fashion. There’s much we can learn from Simeon and Anna. Simeon is described as righteous and devout, and his name means one who hears and obeys. Anna, a prophetess and widow, has lived at the temple for many decades where she worships night and day in fasting and prayer. Each of them has been waiting for the consolation of Israel – the coming of the Lord’s Messiah. When Mary and Joseph bring their infant son to the temple in Jerusalem, Simeon and Anna respond with words of blessing to God and thanksgiving for the arrival of the promised Messiah. 

SONGS: 

"Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWeXVnRm6R8 

"Hope of Israel" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfGouu-tqo8

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8-20 

SHOW NOTES: In the middle of a dark night, the angel appeared to shepherds who were watching over their flocks of sheep. Then, amid the glory of the Lord, the angel delivered the message of Good News, Great Joy! And suddenly, there was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God! They were saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” The shepherds came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. The shepherds found THE SHEPHERD … lying in a manger … Jesus. He came to give His life, so that our sins might be forgiven, and we can receive the free gift of everlasting life. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We pray each one listening will receive the forgiveness of sin and peace that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to offer “for all people.”

SONG: "Gloria" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fECLPAtZXLU