This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

Questions for Reflection – James 3-5

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Mark Shields

The brother of Jesus named James writes a letter to help the Christians in Rome, Alexandria, Cyprus, and cities in Greece and Asia Minor who were going through much difficulty as they were being persecuted and even dying for their faith. One lesson I have learned from reading James 1-2 is that we all face trials but most important is not letting them get us down. Persistence like a stream of water eventually cuts into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives, we can cut into and go through obstacles in our way.

Pastor Steve at my church said once in a sermon that the book of James is God’s instruction manual on how to integrate our faith with our lifestyle. An idea I put into action several years ago is to attach certain Godly principles to the activities in my life and keep a record of these. For example: writing down notes when listening to sermons, doing Bible study, watching movies, reading books, and listening to music. This activity becomes spiritual exercises that build spiritual muscle.

James writes that it is wrong to be partial to certain groups. Today, we seem to have this same problem as there are barriers built up between the wealthy and those that do not have luxuries. James explains that the Gospel law of liberty gives freedom to everyone. It alleviates barriers or obstacles in the path by accepting, appreciating, and affirming everyone that lives by the “Golden Rule”.

James writes that our works are the fruit of our faith. In other words, faith was before works and because of faith the result is works. In fact, faith perfects works so the two work in tandem. Have faith in the principles found in the gospel. Work on these principles throughout life as God refines your character to be more like Christ. Try to improve by developing habits that help at applying the gospel principles to everything you do.

Over the next few weeks, I will finish the study of the book of James using the questions below to help focus on each passage. Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of these questions. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

James 3:1-12
Passage Lookup
Describe an untamed tongue. What are the effects of its pollution? How can you strive to be perfect in what you say?

James 3:13-18
Passage Lookup
List the characteristics of each type of wisdom. What are the results of each? Why is this passage especially applicable to teachers? How can you obtain wisdom from above (See verse 1:5-6)?

James 4:1-12
Passage Lookup
What is the basic cause of wars among Christians? Who is the only true judge? Why should we build up and compliment our neighbor instead of tearing them down?

James 4:13 – 5:6
Passage Lookup
What qualification should you attach to any plans you make? For what purposes are you using your treasures?

James 5:7-12
Passage Lookup
Why is patience called for in the circumstance of this passage? What will patience accomplish? What is the result of impatience?

James 5:13-20
Passage Lookup
What might prayer accomplish in each of these situations? What is the condition for an answer? Are there common task that might seem boring but you can approach with more enthusiasm because this time can be a time of praise or worship?

__________________________________________

It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes

A New Year’s Resolution You Can Keep: Be Who You Say You Are (dougmatlock.wordpress.com)
Knowing His Principles to Help Apply Faith (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)

Posted in James | Tagged Bible, brother of jesus, Character, Christ, Christian, Christians, cities in greece, Faith, Freedom, God, Golden Rule, Good Works, human-rights, James, Jesus, Persistence, religion, Savior, Spirit, spiritual exercises, theology, Trials | 1 Comment

Knowing His Principles to Help Apply Faith

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Mark Shields

A lesson in reading James 2:14-26 is for us to understand God’s Word so we can apply our faith; to grow in faith throughout life as God refines our character and improves our habits so we can apply our faith in everything we do. I have a video and scripture below for today’s inspiration: As it is in Heaven – Matt Maher.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. – Proverbs 29:18

Developing Habits that Help Us Apply our Faith (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Focused Faith (pttyann2.wordpress.com)
Hope in Hopelessness (believersbrain.com)

Posted in James | Tagged Character, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, God’s Word, Habits, Inspiration, James, Lessons, Matt Maher, religion, Religion and Spirituality | 2 Comments

Developing Habits that Help Us Apply our Faith

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Mark Shields

At first analysis of James 2:14-26, my thoughts were on how it seemed to be contradictory
to Paul when he wrote that we are saved by faith. Now James is writing that we are saved
by works. With further research and thought, it became obvious that what James means is that our works are the fruit of our faith and therefore what Paul wrote about and what James writes about here actually complement one another. In other words, faith was before works and because of faith the result is works. In fact, faith perfects works so the two work in tandem. Like a locomotive that runs from the steam, faith builds enthusiasm which then produces action.

You can also look at it in this way. Faith is like the roots and good works are the fruit. We should aim for a balance in life so that faith and good works are working efficiently together. I heard once that when they landed on the moon, they had one minute of fuel supply left. When we read God’s word, we need to aim to have the same precise balance and daily search the scriptures to find out if there is some area in our life in which we’re not in complete obedience to God’s plan.

In golf, football, basketball, and other sports, people keep a score card or stats like how many strokes it took to get the ball in the hole or how many points they scored. I often wonder why we don’t have the same attention to the activities in our life. Why we don’t keep a spreadsheet of good values, daily feats, or random acts of kindness so we can keep track of our progress. This would give us a way to work on God’s principles throughout life as He refines us. We could try to improve by applying these principles to everything we do.

This day with God will be amazing because we can keep track of our growth in faith and pray to the ONE who already has the guidance needed to refine us as we put our faith into practice.

Justification Before Works (agoldentreasury.com)
Faith Challenges and Understanding (andrewwhalan.com)
Unleashing God’s Power: Maximize This Great Benefit of Christianity in your Life from Jimi Akanbi (loveinabookreviews.wordpress.com)
Where will your faith take you? (brothersofchrist.wordpress.com)

Posted in James | Tagged acts of kindness, Christianity, Faith, God, Good Works, Growth, Guidance, James, Jesus, Kindness, Obedience, obedience to god, Paul, Prayer, Progress, random acts of kindness, Refinement, religion, Salvation, search the scriptures, spirituality, Tasks, Values | 6 Comments

A Silent Night That Changed the World

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Mark Shields

At First United Methodist Church Waco yesterday, we finished the sermon series that explored the “Songs of Christmas”. The podcast can be watched by clicking this link: Silent Night Podcast and here is a video with lyrics: Silent Night with Lyrics.

In listening to the sermon, the song, and reviewing the podcast, below are some take aways for me.

Jesus was born in a crude stable and placed in a manger on a silent night but soon loud words would be spoken in His life that would spread to change the world. His mother was only around 16 years old but she responded by following God’s will. We all feel like we need to do big things for God but most of the time it is the modest, silent, and small actions we take that have the biggest impact. God wants us to simply be His servant by listening to His directions and following. If we say the words in bold below and believe them, our life will never be the same.

I AM THE LORD’S SERVANT; MAY IT BE TO ME AS YOU HAVE SPOKEN

When we do what God has for us, our life speaks for itself and is not so silent. The birth of Jesus on a silent night was a night that communicates God’s love for us. It is a night that sets us free; from hurts, worries, hopelessness, pain, and fear. It is a night that gives all a lift during dark times. It is a night that corrects the darkness with light through Jesus Christ and we all become a part of the light that reflects God’s love.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Mark

Songs of Christmas – Silent Night (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Scott Krippayne: Not So Silent Night (christianmusicmakers.com)

Posted in Thoughts From Sermon | Tagged Christianity, Christmas, Courage, Follow, Free, God, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Light, Love, Peace, Podcast, Religion and Spirituality, Servant, Silent Night, United Methodist Church | 4 Comments

Songs of Christmas – Silent Night

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Mark Shields

We have been exploring the songs of those who were touched by Christ that first Christmas in a message series called “The Songs of Christmas” at First United Methodist Church Waco. Their Christmas songs can help us find the Christ of Christmas and I would like to invite you to watch the podcast at this link. Below is an outline of the message titled “Silent Night”.

1. A NIGHT THAT COMMUNICATES.

Luke 2:10-13

2. A NIGHT THAT LIBERATES.

Luke 4:18

“So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.” John 8:36 (NLT)

3. A NIGHT THAT ELEVATES.

“He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly – Luke 1:52 (NLT)

“Jesus called out to them, ‘Come be My disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!'” – Matthew 4:19 (NLT)

4. A NIGHT THAT RADIATES.

John 1:4-9

5. A NIGHT THAT MOTIVATES.

Luke 1:38