When we grumble and complain we are stuggling with the trial we are going through. We haven't put our faith into action and our heart resting in the finished work of the cross. We need to push forward and let patience do it's work.
If we lay our own lives down and ask the Lord what is His will for our lives that's how we humble ourselves. Let our answers be yes and no. Keep our answers honest and to the point.
We are His bride...we belong to Him...He feels grieved when we put the world first place in our hearts. Friendship with the world makes us enemies with God.
The key word here is Living for pleasure.\
We are to live for Jesus and the Kingdom of God. God will supply all our needs in abundance and wants us to experiece his joy and peace. If we seek the pleasures of this world we are putting Jesus on the second place in our hearts.
bitter envy and selfish ambition are the opposite because humility is humble and thinks of others.
Things in our hearts that are sin block our hearts from receiving healing. Boasting is pride, that blocks healing also. It's selfish.
The tongue is untamable because of darkmess of heart. Only Jesus can tame our tongue by the change in our hearts and the obedience we display to the word
Teaching is a precious gift from God. It is part of the 5 fold ministry to the church. When we are called to teach we hace a high accountabilty because we are presenting the Word of God to the flock. It's not something to be entered into lightly.
Teachers must keep their eyes on Jesus and hearts pure and accept the responsibility of the high calling.
Our pastors have a calling from God. They are responsible for the flock. We are responsible for praying for them and ministering to them. They have a high calling and also high standards that must be shown.
James points out the works of obeying God's word and doing the work of acting out the Word and our faith with works. Paul points out that we are saved by grace and mercy. Salvation is a gift from God. We can't do anything in the flesh to make us acceptable for eternal life in Heaven. Jesus died to become our redemption which was God's will.
We ae responsible for the needy in the church and community. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. we are supposed to be an example of His love. Jesus never turned anyone away.