James Jan Bible Studies- Week 3- Day 3

Scripture
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.

Observation
All GOOD knowledge comes from GOD and his WORD. You get what you sow.

Application
 GOD teaches us to be good and benevolent like he is.  Do not give in to the ways of the world and corrupt your own soul.

Prayer
Dear LORD,
Let me learn more about you and your wisdom on a daily basis. Teach me how to sow so that the harvest will be bountiful.
AMEN.

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 3 - Day 2

Scripture

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.

Observation

 Our tongue can do good and it can do bad. We should be prudent how we use it.

Application

 Certain things are beyond our understanding however they are not beyond our control. We need to be prudent in our use of the tongue and use it for good and not for gossiping and spreading evil.

Prayer

Dear LORD,

help me use my tongue for GOOD and keep me grounded in your WORD.

AMEN.

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 3- Day 1

Scripture
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.

Observation
Our tongue is a very powerful instrument. We need to be prudent on how we use it.

 Application
 Be cautious on how you speak. What is uttered from your mouth does affect you and others. Think before you speak and use your voice for GOOD.

Prayer
Dear LORD,
help me put good use to my tongue .
AMEN

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 2- Day 5

Scripture

James 2:14-26New International Version (NIV)

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.

Observation

Words without action is useless. Do what you say by Faith.

Application

 Do not believe people who only talk and take no action. Do yourself take action and follow the WORD. Faith has not only be professed but also worked on through actions. 

Prayer

Dear LORD,

Teach me to be discerning and  also be able to take action based on my FAITH.

Amen.

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 2 - Day 4

Scripture
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Observation
God doesn't want us to be judgmental. He doesn't want us to show favoritism and have biases.

Application
 Follow what is taught in the bible. It is something which you have to focus on an remain impartial on.

Prayer
Dear LORD,
Help me learn not to show favoritism and be one that follows your laws.
AMEN. 

James Bible Studies- Week 2- Day 3

Scripture

James 2:1-7New International Version (NIV)

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?

Observation

God doesn't discriminate between people and we shouldn't do to. He doesn't give preferential treatment to one who seems to be wealthy based on the worldly standards. 

 Application

 Treat everyone equally and look past their exterior. What you physically see doesn't depict the real person. Material wealth means nothing if you are excluded from the wealth that is from GOD. If you don't behave according to the world it means nothing. Do not behave like those selfish materially rich people. 

Prayer

Dear LORD,

help me tell the different and don't discriminate against those who do not appeal "ideal" in my eyes. Let me see from your eyes who do not judge others. 

AMEN. 

James Jan bible studies- Week 2- Day 2

Scripture

James 1:22-27New International Version (NIV)

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.

Observation

Listening enough is not enough. You will need to take action on the WORD you hear. Take good care of what you speak.

Application

Be prudent on who you follow and behave how GOD wants you to behave and not just foolishly follow those who seem to be living GODLY lives but are not. 

Prayer

 Dear LORD,

Help me keep focus on taking action on your WORD.  Let me use good use of my Tongue for you.

AMEN

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 2 - Day 1

Scriptures
9 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.

Observation
God is telling us to be good listeners. Don't give in to anger and bad thoughts as that is not what he wants us to be. By entertaining such thoughts and feelings will only bring about negative thoughts/ actions and dire consequences.

Application
 Be careful with your words as it will affect you and those around you. Be focus on the WORD and the ways of GOD so you will not be influence by the unwanted influences of the world.

Prayer
 Dear LORD,
Help me take good care of my tongue so that I will use it for GOOD. AMEN.

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 1- Day 5

Scripture

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 first
fruits of all he created.

Observation
Know where gifts come from. God is generous and gives us many gifts.

Application
 God blesses us through his word. He is one who will never leave us in the dark .  Seek him in everything.

Prayer
Dear LORD,
thank you for continuously showering me with gifts throughout my life.
AMEN.

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 1 - Day 4

Scripture

You adulterous people,[a] 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[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

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

Observation

God's way is not the same as the ways of the world. He doesn't want us to focus on pleasures of this world which will never be enough for us. 

 Application

God wants us to know that going after material gains and other world pleasures  is not sustainable. We will never get the Peace that  we seek nor his favor therefore it would be prudent to be following along his path for us. 

Prayer

Dear LORD,

Help me to be centered and focus on you. Let me not be tempted by evil and the ways of this world. AMEN. 

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 1- Day 3

Scripture

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.

Observation
God gives us the right information. He shows us the correct way to live our lives. 

Application
Focus on the wisdom that comes from GOD . Do Good and be focus on the present and how to live according to GOD's wishes.

Prayer
Dear LORD,
help me keep focused on you and your wisdom.
AMEN.

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 1- Day 2

Scripture
James 3:8-10

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

Observation

We can use our tongue for good or evil. It is up to us to use it appropriately.  Do not use it to spread rumors or gossip. 

Application

 Think before you speak and use your tongue for GOOD. What you say can make or break a spirit.

Prayer

Dear LORD,

I look to you for guidance to use my tongue for GOOD and not make things worse because of it.

AMEN.

James Jan Bible Studies- Week 1- Day 1

Scripture

James 1:1-4New International Version (NIV)

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,[a] 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.

Observation

God sent obstacles our way to groom us and prepare us for being worthy enough of his kingdom. 

Application

 Don't despair when you face  trials and know that all this is for your development. He knows that you are able to overcome whatever is thrown your way. You are being polished into a sparkling gem

Prayer

 Dear LORD,

Although I thoroughly dislike being sent trials and sometimes get really depressed when they get overwhelming I do know that it is essential for my growth. Give me the strength and courage to see myself through all challenges that get thrown my way. AMEN.