A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

 

WHY DO GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE

Subtitle: God’s Promises to His children
19 August 2010

On 19 August 2010 I did a Google search for a term that we are all familiar with: “Why do bad things happen to good people”. Guess how many replies from Google I received? Google replied with 343,000 results in 0.31 seconds from the Google server.

Today, I’d like to for us to discuss…. “WHY DO GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE?”

WHO IS BAD?

• Romans 3:23 (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• Romans 5:12 (NIV) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—
• Gen 6:5 (NIV) The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
• Psalms 14:3 (NIV) All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Are there any other scriptures that you can think of that discuss the fact that all men are sinful?”

• Psalms 53:3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
• Psalms 130:3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
• Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?
• Ecclesiastes 7:20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
• Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
  and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
• Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
• Micah 7:2 The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.
• Galatians 3:22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
• 1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
• 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

So, there shouldn’t be any question, we are all “bad”, sinful people.

But, for “all of us” our sin separates us from God. Is there a scripture that bridges the gap? Is there a scripture that tells us “how” and “why” a Holy God would still cause “Good Things to Happen to Bad people”?

 

THE ANSWER

 

Romans 8:1-4 (NIV) 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Since now we know that believers stand UNCONDEMNED and RIGHTEOUS before a Holy God….now we can discuss “Why Good Things to Happen to Bad people”

Good things happen to bad people because God promises to:

• Give us Spiritual cleansing:
  • Psalms 65:3 (NIV) When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
  • Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
• Comfort us:
  • Isaiah 12:1 (NIV) In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
• Supply all of our bodily needs:
  • Psalms 37:3-6 (NIV)Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
    6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
  • Malachi 3:10 (NIV) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
• To give us divine sonship:
  • John 1:12 (NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
• Give us ETERNAL LIFE:
  • John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
    John 11:26 (NIV) and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
• Give us Spiritual Fullness:
  • John 6:35 (NIV) Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
• Supply us with unlimited blessings:
  • Mark 9:23 (NIV) “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
• Heal us:
  • Exodus 23:25 (NIV) Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,
• Answer our prayers:
  • Mark 11:24 (NIV) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
• Remove life’s obstacles:
  • Luke 17: 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
• Give us spiritual LIGHT:
  • John 12:46 (NIV) I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
• Give us Power for His Service:
• John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
• Save us:
  • Romans 1:16 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
• To be full of compassion and mercy:
  • James 5:11 (NIV) As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
• Be our deliverer:
  • Psalms 116:8-9 (NIV) For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
• That we will not be given more than we can handle:
  • 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
• Give us HOPE:
  • 2 Cor 1:10 (NIV) He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
• Rescue us from evil:
  • 2 Tim 4:18 (NIV) The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
• Release us from the fear of death:
  • Heb 2:15 (NIV) and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
• Forgive us for our sins:
  • Mark 3:28 (NIV) I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.
• Open our eyes and turn us from darkness:
  • Acts 26:18 (NIV) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
• Be our REDEEMER:
  • Isaiah 44:22 (NIV) I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
• Be our God of MERCY who freely pardons:
  • Isaiah 55:7 (NIV) Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
• Give us perfect peace:
  • Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
  • John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
• Be the God of plenty:
  • Leviticus 26:5 (NIV) Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.
• Preserve the faithful:
  • Deuteronomy 6:24 (NIV) The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
• Give us spiritual progress:
  • 2 Cor 3:18 (NIV) And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
• Be the God of protection:
  • Psalms 41:2 (NIV) The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.
  • Luke 21:18 (NIV) But not a hair of your head will perish.
• Be the God of security:
  • Job 11:18 (NIV) You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
• Bless us when others persecute us:
  • Matt 5:11-12 (NIV) “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• Make us co-heirs with Christ that we may share in His glory:
  • Romans 8:17 (NIV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

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DISCLAIMER: I did not come up with the title of this study. I actually heard Adrian Rogers say this “quote” during one of his sermons. Like so many of Adrian’s “quick-quotes”, this one got my mind turning. So, I went home, and put a study together. I did not use his “theme” or plagiarize his study.

 

 

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A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

 

How to dress in church

 

1 Tim 2:8-10 (NIV) I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

1 Tim 2:9-10 (KJV) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

“Modest” Strong’s Greek Number 2887
Greek word: kosmios kos’-mee-os
Vine’s Word(s): Behave, Behavior, Modest, Orderly
KJV – modest 1
– of good behaviour 1 [Total Count: 2]

1) well arranged, seemly, modest

“Shamefacedness” Strong’s Greek Number 0127
Root: perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and 1492 (through the idea of downcast eyes)
Vine’s Word(s): Shamefastness
Usage Notes:
KJV – shamefacedness 1
– reverence 1 [Total Count: 2]

1) a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect

“Sobriety” Strong’s Greek Number 4997
Vine’s Word(s): Soberness, Sobriety
Usage Notes:
KJV – sobriety 2
– soberness 1 [Total Count: 3]

1) soundness of mind
2) self-control, sobriety

1 Peter 3:3-7 (NIV) Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Job 29:14 (NIV) I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.

 

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A bible study by Adam Osborne, JR.

1 Corinthians 6:1-8

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another–and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary 6:1-8 Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes. In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them. They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot be determined by the brethren. The peace of a man’s own mind, and the calm of his neighbourhood, are worth more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place among brethren, unless there were faults among them.

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Related Scriptures:

Matthew 18:17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 5:39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

 

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Last Edited on New Years Eve – 12.31.21

A bible study by Adam Osborne, JR.

1 Cor 11:23-32 (NIV) For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

• Just like when we eat dinner, we wash before every meal. There is no difference, we need to be clean when we come to the Lord’s table.
• We need something outside of ourselves to clean us. The blood of Jesus Christ.

John 13:8 (NIV) “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

• Jesus told Peter than unless Peter allowed Jesus to wash his feet, then Peter had no part of Jesus.
• We need to wash ourselves each time before we come to the Lord’s table.

SIX MARKS OF COMMUNION:

1. A time of examination. vv 27-32. The Lord’s supper is for baptized believers only. If you have not done this, then this is a time of self examination.

2. A time of commemoration. Jesus took the Jewish Passover and added to it.

3. A time of contemplation.

• 1 Tim 1:15 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
• This verse tells us that Jesus Christ came in to the world to save sinners.
• If Jesus can save Saul (later Paul), then he can save everyone!
• As you prepare to take the Lord’s Supper, you should contemplate your relationship with Jesus.

4. A time of identification. Jesus carries us all the way.

• Gal 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
  who loved me and gave himself for me.

5. A time of declaration. Verse 26. When we partake of the supper we declare his death until he comes again.

6. A time of expectation.

• Rev 19:7-9 (NIV) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
• The Lord’s Supper is a taste of the wedding feast with Jesus Christ. The Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

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The Lord’s Supper

A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

1 Corinthians 11:23-34 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (24) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. (27) Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (33) Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. (34) And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Study notes from Matthew Henry’s Commentary:

24-25 In remembrance of me: To keep fresh in our minds what Christ Jesus did for us.. To remember an honest, true friend. To pay homage to him.

26 as often as ye eat…cup: The Lord’s supper should be celebrated frequently. This reminds us of him. It renews our minds of him.

26 do show the Lord’s death: Declare and publish the Lord’s death until he comes. To celebrate what he means to us and what he did for us. To show the World so that they too might begin to hear and know about Jesus.

26 Til he come: To be celebrated forever until he returns. The Lord’s Supper itself: The bread and the cup: they are outward signs (symbols) of Christ’s body and blood. His broken body on the cross together with all the benefits which flow from His death and sacrifice. His blood represents the privileges of the New Testament and worthy receivers take it as such at this holy ordinance. The new testament is confirmed by his blood. Jesus, made an offering of HIMSELF to God.. did at the Lord’s supper deliver His body and blood, to His disciples… He continues to do the same every time we celebrate the Lord’s supper. We are to take and eat, or to receive Christ and feed upon Him, His grace and benefits. We are to take Him as our Lord and life, yield ourselves to him and live upon him.

27 guilty of the body and blood: Their is a DANGER in receiving unworthily. You are calling the ceremony useless. You MUST have the right intentions. If you do not have the right intentions, instead of being cleansed by it you are damning yourself; making yourself GUILTY of his blood.

28 let a man examine himself: Examine your heart, approve yourself. Consider the purpose.. the sacred purpose of the Supper. Those who do not understand what this supper means, should NOT partake in it! The unbeliever should NOT participate in it. HOWEVER, if you are in the correct frame of mind, even if you are afraid, you should partake in the Supper.

29 eateth and drinking damnation: You are asking for it. You are provoking God and his wrath. You are asking for punishment to rain down upon yourself.

30 weak and sickly…many sleep: An person who isn’t taking this seriously can be made sick, or even die.

31 judge ourselves, we should not be judged: We must not judge others, lest we be judged but we MUST JUDGE ourselves before partaking of the supper. 32 chastened of the Lord .. not be condemned: When the Lord judges us, he chastens us (disciplines us… makes it hard on us). He does this to “square us away” so that we turn back to him. It is much better for him to discipline us here on this world rather than to let us spend eternity in HELL.

33-34 come not together unto condemnation: We as Christians may come together and “fake” Christianity. We may just go through the motions without truly believing it. Holy things are to be used in a holy manner, or else they are as SIN.

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Last edited on New Years Eve, 12.31.21

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A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

 

JAMES

 

Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

TESTING YOUR FAITH

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
Jas 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Jas 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

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James

When Trials Come – James 1:1-11

Pastor Adam Polk, Redeeming Grace Baptist Church

James 1:1-11
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

• When we look at the Book of James, we can relate it to our preparation for upcoming storms… James is helping the believer prepare for upcoming storms (or trials).James provides practical instruction for us.
• It was written by Jesus’ half-brother.
• James is writing to scattered believers (Jewish Christians).

So, what is James teaching us about trials in life?

1) Trials invite joy (1-4).
James starts this Book with one of the strangest exhortation of the Bible… “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” This statement doesn’t seem normal. Really, we are supposed to be joyful when we meet trials?

Note that this statement is for Christians… otherwise, it doesn’t apply. Only Christ can give us the ability to apply verse 2.

James is describing the type of joy we should experience… “all” joy means complete joy. Joy can be defined as a settled contentment… it doesn’t mean happiness.

Joy isn’t how we should feel… it should be how we think!

James is not asking us to “enjoy” our trials. When we experience trials, we need to have contentment in God.

God has a purpose in our trials. It produces steadfastness! By being tested, we are being refined as gold is refined. The trial is the fire, refining us in sanctification.

Suffering is often ordained by God to make us more holy (you won’t find that in any prosperity gospel).

Some reasons for Godly suffering:

• Test the strength of our faith (Deut 13:3-4)
• To humble us (2 Cor 12:7)
• To wean us from worldliness (Heb 11:24-26)
• To call us to eternal and heavenly hope (Rom 8:18-25)
• To reveal what we really love (Luke 14:26)
• To teach us to value God’s blessings (Ps. 63:3-7)
• To strengthen us for greater usefulness (2 Cor 12:10)
• To prepare us so we can help others (1 Cor 1:3-6)
• Think about it this way… isn’t it awesome that God takes the time to refine us through our trials? God will use various trials to make us more like Christ!

2) Trials demand wisdom (5-8).
Sometimes when in trials, it’s like we’re in a fog… it’s hard to see things… it’s hard to think clearly.

When we often think wisdom, we think about our brains. Instead, wisdom is the application of knowledge. It’s how we live our lives. There is not a day when we will achieve all wisdom. When we are in the midst of a trial, we need to seek wisdom from God. We need to go to Him in prayer! Too often do we immediately pray, “get us out of this”. When we’re seeking wisdom:

A) Know who you are asking. God is the source of ALL true wisdom.
Proverbs 8:22-33 22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily hisdelight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. 32 “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
God gives wisdom generously. God’s resources are unlimited. We can trust Him! We are designed in the image of God, and He delights when we come to Him to seek wisdom.

God gives wisdom graciously. We should feel comfortable bringing ALL of our questions to Him. He will never shame or belittle us for asking Him.

B) Know how we should ask. We need to ask God in faith… no doubting! We need to be approach Him in full confidence that God will provide us with wisdom. We all struggle with our faith. Don’t pray as a doubter. We should never question the character of God. When we pray in doubt, we pray with conflicting priorities.

3) Trials require perspective (9-11)
Our spiritual standing is not based on our wealth or possessions on this earth. We must not put trust in these worldly possessions. Both the poor and the rich will experience trials. This world is temporary. Our trials our temporary… our material possessions are temporary… We need to get to the point of viewing our lives with the right perspective. We must put our hope in Him!

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 9 September 2016

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The Relationship Between Hearing and Doing
Bert Pridgen, Leonardtown Baptist Church
James 1:19-27
January 14, 2018

Hearing and Doing the Word

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

1. We need to hear the WORD. (vv 19-21)
a) Quick to listen
b) Slow to speak
c) Slow to anger

2. We need to do the Word for the sake of ourselves. (vv. 22-25)

3. We need to do the Word for the sake of others. (vv. 26-27)
a) Our speech. (v.26)
b) Our service.. (v. 27a)
c) Our separation. (v. 27b)

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Chapter 3

 

Taming the Tongue

Rev. Mark Dooley

James 3:1-12

 

James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
James 3:3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
James 3:4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
James 3:5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
James 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

1. Our tongue can direct (vv. 1-4)

Psalm 141:3-4 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
Psalm 141:4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

Matthew 12:34b For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.

2. Our tongues can destroy. (vv.5-8)

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 26:20 Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.

3. Our tongue can delight. (vv.9-12)

Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 31:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Proverbs 10:21a The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

John 6:63b It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Matthew 26:33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”

1John3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

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Warning Against Worldliness

Jas 4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
Jas 4:2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Jas 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
Jas 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Jas 4:9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Jas 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
Jas 4:12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Boasting About Tomorrow

Jas 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
Jas 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Jas 4:15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Jas 4:16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Jas 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

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James 4:1-12

The Path To Victory

Rev. Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church

2.18.2018

James 4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

1. The reality of conflict (verses 1-3).

John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Galatians 5:15 “If you bit and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.”

2. The rivals in the conflict (verses 4 to 7)

• • The world. Verse 4

James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

• The flesh. Verse 5
• The devil. Verses 6-7

3. The resolution of conflict (verses 7 to 12).

1. Submission. Verse 7
2. Worship. Verse 8a
3. Confession. Verse 8b
4. Confession. Verse 9
5. Humility. Verse 10
6. Encouragement. Verse 11 to 12

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Whose Will?
Rev. Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church
James 4:13-17

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

1. Selfishness towards the will of God. Verses 13-14, 16.

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

NOTE: See Luke 12:16-21

2. Stubbornness towards the will of God. Verse 17.
3. Submission towards the will of God. Verse 15

1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant.

1 Corinthians 16:5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

1. 1. We must know His will
   2. We must understand His will

Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

1. 1. We must discern His will
   2. We must do His will

Ephesians 6:6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart

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Chapter 5

True Treasure, James 5:1-6
Rev. Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church
3.4.2018

James 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

1. Material goods are not true treasure. Verses 1 to 3.

• Psalm 62:10 “If wealth increases, don’t set your heart on it.”
• Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.”
• 1 Timothy 6:17 “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

2. Dishonest practices won’t produce true treasure. Verse 4.

• Deuteronomy 24:14-15 “You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. 15 You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the LORD, and you be guilty of sin.
• Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
• Jeremiah 22:13 Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages

3. Hoarding wealth won’t guarantee true treasure. Verses 5 to 6.

• Acts 3:14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
• 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

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A Warning & A Hope

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 20 November 2016.

James 5:1-12
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

American Christians would be surprised to know how much North Korean Christians are praying for them. They pray for us because we have so much and how it straps us to this world. They don’t pray for freedom or money… they pray for Christ! They know how distracting and idolatrous wealth can be.

In James 5, James is warning the rich, and is encouraging the poor. We found two pieces of instruction in these verses:

1) A condemning word. Regardless of if he is talking ABOUT wealthy non-Christians or wealthy Christians, he is writing TO Christians.
We are some of the wealthiest people in the world. This word is for us! We need to be reminded not to put our hope into things of this world, but instead
Is it wrong to be wealthy? NO!

Luke 16:13
13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

1Timothy 6:10
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Deuteronomy 3:18
18 “And I commanded you at that time, saying, ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel.

Proverbs 10:22
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

A) The attitude of wealth.
Where is our heart? Is it focused on wealth? Is it focused on worldly treasures? How do we see material things? Do we seek to store more and more?

B) The pursuit of wealth.
What will we do to achieve wealth? Will we take advantage of others? Will we prey on others to achieve success? Would we be willing, at ANY level, to cheat someone for our own benefit? We need to examine our hearts. Do we put ourselves in front of the line, or in the back. Are we willing to use the gifts God has given us to enrich ourselves, or take care of others? We have been called to bless and pursue others.

C) The use of wealth.
As farmers fatten cows prior to the slaughter, the risk fatten their hearts… for their self-indulgence. They would do anything to keep it. They sought wealth solely for their pleasure. Solomon had something to say about this…

Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.
6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.
8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Solomon had it all… but he realized that it was vanity. God gives us wealth to be a blessing, but also to be a blessing to others.
We regularly take what God gives us and corrupt it.
Consider sex, and how we abuse it.
Consider food, and how we abuse it.
God doesn’t despise wealth, he despises how we corrupt it.

Do we focus on self-advancement? Is that our priority? Do we dwell and focus on it? Will we do anything to get it?

Don’t envy the wealthy… instead be encouraged and satisfied about what God has given us.

2) An encouraging word.

Many of these believers were probably suffering under the ruthlessness of the wealthy land owners. We all need to be patient. Christ will come again for His people.

God is a God of justice. He will see justice fulfilled.

In times of oppression, our eyes should be focused on Christ! We should EAGERLY wait. We should be excited about His coming. Our patience is active!

We often have too many distractions… distractions that takes our hearts and minds away from the promise God has given us.

We need to establish our hearts! As we wait on Christ, He is transforming us! Be excited in the transformation!

For those that put their reliance on worldly things… realize that all things of this world will wash away. Focus on the gift that God gives willingly… the gift that is eternal… the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. His gift is so incredible, it surpasses ANYTHING of this world.

If you find yourself disappointed with the promises of this world, ask God to fulfill His perfect promise in your life!

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 20 November 2016.

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• James 1:5 (NIV)5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
• James 1:12-14 (NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
• James 1:17 (NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
  who does not change like shifting shadows.
• James 1:19-21 (NIV) My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
• James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
• James 2:10 (NIV) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
• James 2:17 (NIV) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
• James 3:1 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
• James 3:9-10 (NIV) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
• James 3:17 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
• James 4:4 (NIV) You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
• James 4:7-8 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
• James 4:11 (NIV) Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
• James 4:13-15 (NIV) Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
• James 5:11-12 (NIV) As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear–not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.
• James 5:14-15 (NIV) Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

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Last edited on New Years Eve, 12.31.2021

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