Thoughts on James

Yesterday, my small group had a great discussion on various verses in the book of James that stuck out to them or struck a chord with them. It was an awesome time of sharing and learning. I'll share the verses and some of the comments that were made.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 - Joy is something you choose to have, happiness is an emotion. This is not being happy with your circumstances, but having joy in growth that is happening.

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:6 - This is how I feel when I doubt the ability of God, like everything within me is being tossed all over the place.

"If one of you says to him, "Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:16 - Deeds are not more important than faith, but instead a natural outpouring of your faith.

"But no man can tame the tongue." James 3:8 - We cannot tame the tongue, but we can ask God to change our heart because out of the heart the mouth speaks.

"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:14,15 - We cannot plan from one day to the next, because we don't know whether we will even be here.