How long can we hold on when tough trials come into our life?  Not just the physical hardships, but emotional crisis, family battles, financial insecurity, spiritual battles… how long can we endure?

In a society of one-click shopping and seemingly endless instant gratification, patience is one thing that is often in short supply.  In this passage James explains the necessity of patience in the life of a follower of Jesus, and how we can develop it. (James 5:7-12)

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In this text James speaks to people who plan their finances and spend their money as though there is no God, and he says they are wicked.  These are serious words!  May we use these words as a mirror to check ourselves in what we are doing, as James announces the judgement to come on the wicked wealthy, the filthy rich. (James 5:1-6)

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We all make plans… whether it’s we will do tomorrow or in the coming year. While the Bible acknowledges that it is wise to plan, it also recognizes that the attitude behind our planning is crucial. In this passage from James we find a helpful perspective on how to approach our life, in light of the fact that God is the one in control, not us. (James 4:13-17)

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In this text James begins by posing a question to all of us: Why do we fight? For most of us, we might think we know the answer. We fight because THEY started it!  But James has a much different answer. The problem isn’t our circumstances, or our boss, or our friends, or our spouse, or our kids. The problem is much closer to home.  It’s us. And in the end, that’s actually good news. Because if the problem lies within us, then the solution—God’s healing grace—is available to us. (James 4:1-10)

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In this text James illustrates two distinct types of wisdom, as well as the results that come from pursuing one or the other.  When we see ourselves through the eyes of a loving Father e will find ourselves growing in peace personally as well as in our interactions with others. This is true, Biblical wisdom. But, when we see ourselves through the eyes of this world we will, by nature, compare ourselves to others, and it is then that we often lapse into false, or worldly wisdom. (James 3:13-18)

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In this passage James has us considering the relationship between faith and works. Do we act on what we say we believe?  Is our faith genuine, or, is it counterfeit, a fake representation of the real thing?  This message explores faith that saves and faith that doesn’t—and how to know which one we possess. (James 2:14-26)

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If we are to truly fulfill Jesus’ command to love our neighbors, we must be willing to see others as He sees them: people made in the image of God, worthy to be treated with dignity and shown mercy.  In this text James shows us how to avoid the sin of partiality by providing a lesson in three parts. (James 2:1-13)

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In this text we explore three distinct ways James says we can be prepared to live out our faith in active ways, that is, three ways we can Just Do It!  God’s way! (James 1:19-27)

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Sometimes difficult times present us with the temptation to sin, rather than wait on God. In the face of such temptation, we can embrace the truth that every good gift comes from God—or we can embrace our own truth and turn to other things for comfort and peace.  Which will we choose?  (James 1:13-18)

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