georgejv

Ive read James a number times. It gets more practical and applicable everytime I read it. But through this study I got a ton of insights. The Church in its first few decades went through most of what we believers go through, and James advice holds good for eternity. Thanks a ton for the organizers and Pastor Ralph. May God Bless you and your ministry

The role of bring back sleeping or dead sinners is vital. They can cause a great deal of harm to the Word. Christians who have left, or a part believers are sleeping - And God could judge them more harshly Bringing them back is vital to Gods plan - what a merciful God - and Prayerr is the key - since bondages may be involved and deliverance required.

The role of oil is sybolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit The prayer of faith is required for healing of sin as well as healing of body The role of confession is important - especially for recurring sin. Speaking to others helps is 'piercing' the sin. However confession should be to mature Christians or priests.

The elders role is critical. Important qualifications are i) Maturity in faith ii). Patience iii) Blameless iv) Self less It is the calling of many elders to conintuously pray, and if these elders have this calling they should use it

Elders of the church should pray, along with our faith. This is important since their faith is stronger and unwavering. Faith is a pre-requisite for the prayer of healing to be succesful

Grumbling shows lack of faith. Its like telling God - I dont like how you are handling things. Close to telling Him - back off and I will run things on my own. Not a very good environment for fellowship with Him

While we wait, the crop ripens, it matures, it becomes better. It falls into danger of becoming overripe or unfruitful only if it is not in the Masters will. If it is in the masters will, it will be harvested at the right time - which he knows best

Spiritual danger is over-indulgence - leading to selfishness, our will over Gods will. We can enjoy comfort if God wills it. Demand for low price as such is not bad. It forces everyone to avoid waste - true capitalist :-) What is wrong is unfair practices taking advantage of ignorance of employees - rather than paying them their true worth in the market or encouraging them to take on new positions of responsibility allowing them to earn more.

Planning and executing without God being in it - is pride. At some point it will fail. Personal experience :-) How do do Gods will and not be wishy washy? - Thats tough. It essentially rquires succesful prayer - learning to hear God well " His sheep hear his voice"...and they listen. trying to learn how to listen and recognize his voice as opposed to other influences. Only then I presume I will not be wishy washy or indecisive.

These commands are not for the new believers. These are for believers who are still flirting with the world and finding it difficult to give oneself fully to God. No its not easy. It happens in patches. These are clear instructions to dwell on - so that we dont keep falling back to similar cycles of sin. These are admonitions which we better follow as Christians - and its well worth it. To be able to be in his 'rest' and not at war with Him.

As believers we are married to God. We have to choose between God and mammon. We cannot have both. When we try to have both we are committing spiritual adultery.

God wants us to have pleasure of the right kind.Not the kind that we can hurt ourselves with. Whats wrong is written all over the Word of God, and in our hearts - if we listen to it. Follow his Word and you will get 'heavenly joy' - pleasure that does not enslave us.

The tool peacemakers use as mentioned in this passage is righteousness - which brings inthe rich harvest. To sow true righteuousness one needs to be steeped in Gods Love and Wisdom

If we envy - we are not humble. If we desire what God wants, we are humble. If we our ambitious based on our own plans we are not humble. If we are ambitious for Gods plan, we are humble. Envy and ambition which are not a part of Gods plans hurt us and hurts Gods ability to guide us

The tongue reflects what our heart really is. The sinful nature of man comes out despite best attempts to control it. Unless Gods changes our heart from the inside our tongue will not change. Small words can make big changes. Even taalk that may not seem wrong may make big changes that are un intended in Gods plan. So unless we walk with God, our tongue may actually be doing evil

Teachers have more responsibilities i. People expect them to walk the talk ii. People follow them. Sol if they do wrong, they are also leading others astray iii. When people who teach do wrong, it causes believers also to become cynical In India Christianity is still 2.5% of the popuplation for the last 40 years, despite all the missions and churches being here. Are we lacking something in Christian living compared to other religions? Same applies with many of the Islamic nations. God bless those who can talk and walk the talk at the same time - they are few and they are important.

Faith is the cornerstone - gves potential, power. However will be stagnant without works. Both go together.

Both know God intellectually. The practicing Christian makes it living and joyous by practicing it. A world of difference. Imagine - a Christian who knows theology well but does not practice it is equated to a demon!

We are responsible for the poor within and outside the church. The need is impossible to fulfil by us. The priority will be shown by God during our interactions with him.

Faith without action is like learning something as theory without any practical ability. Fit for research labs and libraries, but having no end result. Action is what makes it useful, living and most important allows it to spread.

Hosea - God wants mercy, not burnt sacrifices. Matthew - Blessed are the merciful for they shall show mercy; God desires mercy from us God wants us to show mercy to others, just like he shows mercy to us. Discrimination is nearly the opposite of mercy since we are not being merciful to the ones we look down apon. This mercy triumps over judgement since God showed mercy to us. The only thing he expects us to do is to show mercy to others. The parable of the king who wiped out the debt of the merchant, but who in turn did not show mercy to a person indebted to him brings this out clearly. It is mercy along with faith that triumphs over what should have been a certain judgement against us.

Love thy neibhour as thyself is the Royal Law. If we are to follow it perfectly one should have zero favouritism. Showing favouritism is definitely breaking the royal law

When we show favoritism we are playing God and that is evil. We are making judgements that God should be doing. Who are we to decided that someone is superior. The wisdom of the Lord is different from ours. Who are we to take itaway from Him.

On the surface, I dont discriminate. I am Mr nice guy. When I am in the Spirit of the Load, I dont discriminate. When I am not, all the dirty muck within comes out. Its clear - we are sinners internally. Only Gods Spirit can keep us Holy. Passages like these helps to see ourselves well in the mirror, know ourselves and ensure that we are in the Spirit.

Love is the perfect law. And this perfect law was made a reality for us through Christ dying on the cross for our sins. Gods love is not a theory, but a practical reality for us and its for us to demonstrate it to others.