James 2:8-11

Scripture: James 2:8-11
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
 

Observations: 
I love love love love that we are free and righteous in Christ. We are all lawbreakers. That’s why He chose the cross. How horrible and hopeless would we be if we were just “lawbreakers” and had no hope or freedom? But we are forgiven, not just for the sins we confess, but for all sins! Out of LOVE and out of a grateful spirit, we live as though we are still under the law. We strive to abide by the law. Praise God, that when we fail, He sees our hearts and intentions. He knows that we are imperfect, and Christ’s righteousness is ours. God looks at us and sees Jesus, because we love Him and He dwells in us. We are redeemed lawbreakers. This should fuel us to be loving to all, because we are SO loved.
 

Application: 
We love to love ourselves. We like special treats, we like nice clothing, we like to be warm and comfortable at night. Extending this to others? Well that’s a little difficult. That would mean surrendering a lot of possessions and getting out of our comfort zones. Can we live this out? It’s easy to do it with our family and “loved ones” but we’re called to extend the term “loved ones” to those around us. 
 

Prayer: 
God, let us not hoard our blessings. Let us give to the poor. We love you and we are so loved. Let this overflow into our actions. I pray for a generation that acts out your love. I am blessed by this group of women, who act it out. They long to feed the poor and minister to the homeless. They care for the sick. God, open doors that we may be effective. In Christ’s name I ask, amen.

James 2:5-7

Scripture: James 2:5-7
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

Observations:
Good point!!! Why are we so against the poor when the rich are the ones who are truly exploiting? I love the phrase “those who are poor in the eyes of the world” because I can only imagine how God sees them. I can only imagine how He envisions them with their reward in mind and the glory to come.

Application:
Why is it so easy to target the poor and lose compassion? I think the media focuses in on the crimes of the poor, the violence and the addictions and the people going to jail. We begin to feel unsafe when people are poor because we assume they will display criminal behavior.  The media turns our eyes away from the evils of the rich, but let’s not forget the way God views the situation.

Prayer:
Father open our eyes. Give us a glimpse of how You see the world. Help us to be humble and rich in faith. Break hearts to share and give. Let it be on earth as it is in heaven. We love You not just in words, but in action. In Christ’s name, amen.

James 1:5-6

Scripture: James 1:5-6
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.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Observations:
I love these verses! I lack wisdom all the time!! It's funny that the older I get, the more I realize how much I DON'T know! Either that or I'm forgetting all I knew back when I was a teenager, because I'm pretty sure I knew everything back then ;) But God is so faithful to lead me and give wisdom! Even during the times when I didn't really know what He wanted me to do, I was assured that He was in control and would tell me what to do at the right time. This makes me think of proverbs, and how important and pleasing to God it is when we desire and seek HIS wisdom.

Application:
I've been praying a lot of "really out there" kinds of prayers, especially for the mission trip. And these I have to pray with conviction and faith that God will answer, however "unlikely" they may seem. God loves to make me eat my words haha as soon as I say "no way, not me" He says "my way, yes you!" so I'm learning to be careful of what I pray for and what I say the Lord won't do. He's sovereign, no doubt about it! What kinds of things do you ask the Lord, but doubt He will answer?

Prayer:
Lord, I ask that You give me and these ladies the wisdom we need today for whatever trials and choices we are facing. Thank You for being such a faithful and generous Father to us. Thank You for leading us. I pray You make us into patient, wise, strong, bold, confident, courageous women. Let our perseverance be a testimony to others, to lead them to You. In Jesus' name I ask, Amen!

James 1:3-4

Scripture: James 1:3-4
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must  finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Observations:
I was having a conversation a couple of days ago about exactly this: that only through hardships can we develop perseverance. The Lord grows us and refines us through trials, and this is why we should consider them pure joy. It means we are growing. I've had a friend ask me "Helena, does God always make something go wrong? It feels like things aren't ever all right? There's always a kid sick, or a problem at work, or money running short, or the job I can't get, or my car breaks down, or a stressful situation... Is that how God works?" and a little part of me winced because well... we are living in a very broken world. Heaven isn't here. And until we get there, Jesus did warn us that we will have trouble in this world! But He also told us to take heart, because He's overcome the world. We are called to persevere through trials with hope and joy, and these trials will mature us and make us more faithful and Christ-like in the end. We are works in progress!

Application:
I always think to look back at trials I've gone through, and see how much God taught me through it. It always gives me perspective to remember how the Lord used my trials to make me trust Him more. For a whole semester in college, my financial aid didn't come in. There was a clerical error, and it didn't come in until November 28th! I remember trusting in the Lord to provide, and He did. It's hard to doubt Him with money after that! I know He is so faithful to provide for my needs! He tested my faith while I persevered that semester. It gives me hope through the fundraising madness I'm facing now, that He's called me to missions and He will provide. Just in the last 4 days, I've had 5 people (very unlikely, random people I haven't seen in years, or ever expected to help me!) say "Helena, I want to support your mission trip!" and I fought back tears. I didn't even ask those people, God laid it on their hearts. When He tests your faith, however He does it, expect Him to deliver you and provide :) He always does. That's what the next verses are about, which I love!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You this morning and praise You for your provision in our lives. You created us, and blessed us with the people we have in our lives. You continue to sustain us and give us hope. God, I pray You keep growing us. Lord, I pray we don't stray from You and always realize how desperately we need You, even in the moments when the trials are small. I ask that You give us strength, comfort, patience, and JOY in the trials we are facing today. Let us see Your hand at work in our lives. In Christ's name, Amen.

Ephesians 6:16-20

Scripture: Ephesians 6:16-20 

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Observations:
Whenever I open my mouth, I want to be fearless and efficient. Not just saying what is hard to say, but saying it in a way that reveals the truth and grace of Christ! Yes, please!

Application:
What flaming arrows is the evil one attacking me with? How can my faith shield me from them? Is it my past? Guilt? Worry? Is he telling me that I'm unhappy or lacking? Is he saying that I'm unloved? All those are untrue and void because of Jesus. Our faith shield needs to be held up. When we set it down we get hit.  All the armor we've put on is defensive except for the sword. The word of God is our weapon, our way of fighting back. When we know it, share it, speak it, sing it, read it, pursue it, and live it, we are taking a swing and a stab at Satan.

Prayer:
Jesus, help us to be fearless warriors for You. Women of prayer and strength. Women who don't fall for Satan's lies. Women who use our words not to hurt others, but to make Your grace evident. Help us to hold up our shields of faith. Encourage our hearts to pursue You with renewed vigor. Unfold the hearts of our loved ones and friends, and help us to be bold and talk about You. All these things we ask in Your holy name, amen.