James 4:1-6  (HCSB)Proud or Humble4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. 4 Adulteresse...  Read More

James 3:13-18  (HCSB)The Wisdom from Above13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and...  Read More

Fatih Guides Our WordsA person cannot live for the glory of God and the satisfaction of the flesh simultaneously. Choose God’s priorities.KEY TRUTH: Our Words Are Very Powerful (James 3:1–6)KEY TRUTH: We Need God’s Power and Help to Control Our Words (James 3:7–8)KEY TRUTH: Our Words Should Reflect God’s Character (James 3:9–12)FAMILY CONNECTION:  CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!What three th...  Read More

 What is the impact of our words on our lives and the lives of others? How can we strive to use words of encouragement vs. words that tear down?How can we deal with the fact that praise and curses can come from the same tongue? How can we effectively tame our tongue and ensure that it is used in a positive rather than destructive manner?How do we balance our convictions with the need to engage wit...  Read More

Matthew 15:17-20  (HCSB)17 “Don’t you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a man. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. 20 These are the things that defile a man, but eating with unwashed hand...  Read More

2 Timothy 2:22-26  (HCSB)22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God w...  Read More

James 3:7-12 (HCSB)7 Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. 10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring p...  Read More

James 3:3-6  (HCSB)3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. ...  Read More

Faith Guides Our WordsJames 3:1-2  (HCSB)Controlling the Tongue3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.Mark JenkinsThose who know me, know I can be sarcastic. I have often had “intense fellowship” with...  Read More

GENUINE FAITHOur lifestyle should match what we say we believe.KEY TRUTH: Faith Without Action Is Worthless (James 2:14–17)KEY TRUTH: Faith Is More Than Just Belief in God (James 2:18–19)KEY TRUTH: We Are Counted as Righteous Based on Action-Producing Faith (James 2:20–26)FAMILY CONNECTION:  CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH! How are faith and works connected? If you are not saved by your works...  Read More

James has much to say about the relationship between our faith and our works. How has one influenced the other in your life? Has God given you a specific call to action? What is stopping you from acting on it?One of the keys to making the most of your faith / works relationship is knowing your spiritual gifts. What are your spiritual gifts? How can you put those gifts in action? How will putting t...  Read More

Philippians 2:14-17 (HCSB)14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. 16 Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offeri...  Read More