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Great get you blood going companion piece to James. TURN IT UP!

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John Piper // 1 Corinthians 13 // Epic reading

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I'll Fix My Eyes (ft Sean Carter, Melanie Tierce & Kaden Slay)

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Some of the early pioneers of A.A. wanted to call their group The James Club?  Did you know the Book of James, 1 Corinthians 13 and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount were considered absolute essentials for finding the cure.

Dick B., an A.A. Historian  dives into the origin of  A.A..  The early pioneer group had tremendous success.  They would receive the hopeless cases that the hospitals and sanitariums gave up on.  The fact is that for the early members, it was Christian fellowship that carried them through detox and fellowship with God through quiet time that carried them through life.

The author gives us compelling evidence not only that Jesus Christ is The Highest Power;  He is the only power.  Jesus is the Messiah and Son of the Living God.  Sobriety is the positive side effect of living out God's plan of salvation. Therein lies the real eternal prize.  Christ in us.

The book is a fascinating look at the beginnings of  the twelve step movement.  It also shows what happens when movements get big and disconnected from their roots.

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How to Have a Killer Quiet Time with God

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Book of James Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

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Oh The Mercy of Jesus

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"Mercy of Jesus" (feat. Mary Grace, May Angeles, & Wesley Nilsen)

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A Study of the Book of James | Background to James

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Can you imagine being the brother of Jesus while you were growing up?  In John 7:5 the Bible says that Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him.

So what happened that changed James' mind about Jesus?  James goes from unbelief to calling himself a servant of God and of the Lord, Jesus Christ?  1 Corinthians 15:4-7 gives us the answer.

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When I think about James growing up with Jesus yet not believing Jesus' claims it made me wonder ... I was brought up by two loving and Christian parents who taught me about Jesus from the time I was a small child.  In a way, you might say that I too, grew up with Jesus.  Maybe when we grow up with something we can fall into a trap of taking it for granted.  As my life went on I placed Jesus further down on my list of priorities.  He became like a storybook figure because my life showed no evidence of His Power in it.  Then it crashed and like James I met the risen Savior.

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Christian tradition reports that James was the man with camel's knees.  His knees were hardened by the amount of time he spent on them in prayer. You will see James reliance on prayer through the Book.

It is reported that James was murdered by the Scribes and Pharisees in  AD 62.  He was thrown from the top of the temple, the fall did not kill him.  They stoned him and then finished him off with a club.

James went from the non believing brother of Jesus to the martyred servant of Christ.  His book is less about theology and more about what living out your faith looks like.  Deep diving into James can be difficult as he gets in your face about attitudes, motives and sincerity.  James is not a long read but it is something that should be read a long time.  James is my gut check study guide.  It is powerful and every bit as relevant today as it was when it was written around AD 56-60.  Happy Camping!

Information Source Bible Gateway

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Three Tests of our Spiritual Health | James 1

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BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.: Audio

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1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,  To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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1. Pure joy in facing trials (how does that work?)

2. The testing of our faith (keep seeking) produces perseverance.

3. Perseverance produces maturity (progression)

4. Maturity makes us complete. (more progression)

5. God gives wisdom generously to all who ask, without finding fault. (key point - powerful)

6. You must ask believing or you should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (FAITH)

7. Double Minded = unstable in everything (just in case theology)

8. Humble circumstances = can take pride of their high position (look to God for satisfaction)

9. The Rich = can take pride in their humiliation. (look to God for the right understanding of your role in wealth)

10. The rich need to understand that all that they have will pass away just as they will pass away. (don't become trapped by wealth)

11. Persevering for the Lord brings blessing and reward.(be diligent about the things in life tht matter)

12. God does not tempt (satan tempts)

13. Temptation comes when we are drug away by our own desires. (selfishness)

14. The progression of sin is death.

15. The Father of Heavenly Lights

16. He is the giver of all good gifts.

17. He does not change

18. He gives us new life (birth) born again through the Word of Truth.

19. We should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

20. Anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

21. Get rid of the bad habits and moral filth.

22. Accept this word being planted in you - it can save you.

23. Don't deceive yourself

24. Don't just gain knowledge use it, do what it says

25. By being a doer for the Lord, we will be blessed in what we do.

26.  You like to shoot off your mouth and claim to be religious?

27. Your religion is worthless

28. Look after, take care of, tend to the widows - the orphans and stay away being polluted by the world.

29. God accepts that as  pure and faultless religion.

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Favoritism, Prejudice, Racism FORBIDDEN! | James 2:1-13

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BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.: Audio

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Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: 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 dishonored 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 blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

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, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

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1. Must not show favoritism

2. Special Attention

3. Discrimination

4. Judges with evil thoughts.

5. God chosen

6. Inherit the kingdom

7. Promised to those who love Him

8. Dishonoring the poor

9. Blaspheming the noble name

10. The royal law

11. Favoritism is sin

12. Breaking all of it

13. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged

14. the law that gives freedom

15. Judgement without mercy to those who have not been merciful

16. Mercy triumphs over judgement

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Do You Have Dead, Demonic or Dynamic Faith? | James 2:14-26

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Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead

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1. Claims to have faith but no deeds

2. What good is it?

3. Faith without action is dead

4. You have faith I have deeds

5. I will show faith by deeds

6. Even the demons believe

7. Do you want evidence

8. Father Abraham righteous for what he did

9. Faith and actions were working together

10. Faith was made complete by what he did

11. Abraham believed

12. He was called God's friend.

13. Rahab the prostitute

14. righteous for what she did

15. Body without the spirit is dead

16. Faith without deeds is dead

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BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.: Audio

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Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

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1. Not many should become teachers

2. Fellow believers

3. Judged more strictly

4. We all stumble in MANY ways

5. Anyone who is NEVER at fault in what they say is perfect.

6. Bits into the mouths of horses.

7. Ship are steered by  very small rudder

8. Wherever the pilot wnts to go

9. Small part of the body making BIG boast.

10. Great forest set on fire by a small spark

11. The tongue is a fire

12. The tongue is a world of evil

13. The tongue corrupts the body

14. The tongue sets the course of our lives

15. The tongue is set on fire by hell.

16. Creatures are tamed by mankind

17. No man can tame the tongue

18. The tongue is a restless evil

19. The tongue is full of deadly poison

20. With our tongue we praise

21. With our tongue we curse

22. Same mouth produces both

23. This should not be

24. Fresh water and salt water from same spring?

25. Fig tree bear olives?

26. Grapevine bear figs?

27. Who is wise?

28. Who has understanding?

29. Show it by their good life.

30. Deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

31. Bitter envy in your hearts

32. Selfish ambition in your hearts

33. Don't boast about it

34. Don't deny the truth.

35. This wisdom does not come down from Heaven

36. This wisdom is earthly

37. This wisdom is unspiritual

38. This wisdom is demonic

39. With envy and selfish ambition you find disorder and EVERY evil practice.

40. Heavenly wisdom is pure

41. Heavely wisdom is peace-loving

42. Heavenly wisdom is considerate

43. Heavenly wisdom is submissive

44. Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy

45. Heavenly wisdom is full of good fruit

46. Heavenly wisdom is impartial

47. Heavenly wisdom is sincere

48. Sow in peace

49. Reap righteousness.

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5 Signs of a Thriving Spiritual Life | James 4:1-10

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BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.: Audio

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Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Boasting About Tomorrow

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

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1. What causes fights

2. They come from YOUR desires that battle witin YOU

3. YOU do not have

4. YOU cannot get what YOU want.

5. So YOU quarrel and fight

6. YOU do not have BECAUSE YOU do not ask God

7. When YOU ask YOU do not receive BECAUSE YOU ask with the wrong motives.

8. You spend what You get on YOUR own pleasures

9. Adulterous people

10. Friendship with the World means emnity against God

11. A friend of the world becomes an ENEMY OF GOD

12. Do you think the scripture says anything without reason

13. God jealously longs for the spirit He caused to dwell in us.

14. God gives us more grace

15. God opposes the proud

16. God shows favor to the humble

17. Submit to God

18. Resist the devil

19. The devil will flee from you

20. Come near to God

21. AND God will come near to you

22. Sinners wash your hands

23. Double-minded purify your hearts

24. Greive, mourn, wail

25. Turn laughter to mourning

26. Turn joy to gloom

27. Humble yourself befor the Lord

28. AND THE LORD will lift you up

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Should Christians be Rich? | James 5:1-6

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BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.: Audio

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Warning to Rich Oppressors

5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

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1. Rich people .. misery is coming on you

2. Your wealth is ruined

3. Gold and silver are corroded.

4. Your wealth will eat your flesh like fire

5. You have hoarded your wealth

6. In the last days

7. You failed to pay your workers

8. Their cries have reached the ears of the Lord

9. The rich live in luxury

10. The rich has been self indulgent.

11. The rich have fattened themselves

12. The rich have condemned the innocent

13. The rich have murdered the innocent

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3 Times in Life When You Need MORE Patience! | James 5:7-11

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Patience in Suffering

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

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1. Patient until the Lord's coming

2. Stand Firm

3. The Lord's Coming in near

4. Do not grumble against each other or you will be judged

5. The judge is standing by the door

6. Example of patience

7. Face of suffering

8. Blessed are those who persevere

9. Do not swear an oath

10. Let your yes be yes

11. Let your no be no

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7 Times in Your Life When You Must Pray  | James 5:13-20

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The Prayer of Faith

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

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1. In trouble ... pray

2. Happy ... praise

3. Sick ... go to elders and pray

4. Annoint oil in the name of the Lord.

5. Prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well

6. The Lord will lift them up

7. Sins will be forgiven

8. Confess your sins to each other

9. Pray for each other so that you may be healed

10. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective

11. If one wonders from the truth

12. bringing him back covers amultitude of sins

13. Saves them for death