Hello!
Something I wanted to share from these two verses that I found particularly comforting is that God chose to use the phrase "Elijah was a man just like us" (vs. 17a). Sometimes we can get so down on ourselves, on who we are in our faith lives, and focus only on our weak areas and where we need to grow...but the fact is, even a great hero of faith - Elijah - did too! He had sinfulness, weaknesses, areas of shame just like we do. But he also had the same loving Father and by Grace held onto the same forgiveness and hope that we do. When we compare ourselves to others, for some reason we always think that there's no way we could ever be like that person, or do that great thing. But we all as humans are just that - humans. We all have a limiting point, but we all also have great potential. Through Jesus, we can access that same amazing prayer power that Elijah did! I think that is just SO GREAT! We can move mountains by our prayers, as tiny and quiet as they may seem sometimes. The factors that change everything are our trust in and earnesty on God to do his good will for us in our lives!
We read that Elijah prayed specific prayers; he also prayed alot, for a long time- he prayed earnestly.
I am very easily impatient and so this is a grave topic for me; in realizing how quickly I have given up on things in the past, I know that God needs to work in me a greater patience and long-suffering, a greater trust in Him so that I DO persist in my prayers.
What do you girls think on this subject of prayer? Encouragement, ideas, prayers?
Thinking about each and every one of you as we wrap up our last week in James!
Love you,
~Cait
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
James 5:1-16
Good morning ladies!
A week and a half later, and here I am again, Martha-syndrome perfected and confessing. Getting on to post anything at all has been a challenge, but thankfully God has pulled me close to read our verses in James throughout the last few days. Thankfully, he has tugged at me through fears and weaknesses to talk to Him and pray over all. this. STUFF. as I go here and there and everywhere. I am enjoying a quiet morning finally! with a big mug of coffee and fresh spring air and bird-chirping filling the house. I have my notes in front of me from the past week and a half, and if you don't mind I would like to share what I've written and learned! :)
James 5:1-3
1 - The rich people mentioned there are not Christians.
2 - Corrosion is a result of hoarding, of selfishness and thoughtlessness of others.
3 - These verses are seriously warning against being selfishly rich...and not just addressing anyone who God blesses with wealth.
4 - It is wrong to be rich when we put our trust in the riches rather than God.
5 - The goal, whatever amount of money we possess, should always be godly contentment, and honest, hard work.
James 5:4-6
1 - The wicked rich people "fatten themselves on the very day of slaughter (like cattle!) totally unaware of their coming destruction". (from NIV footnote)
2 - God hears the cries of those that the wicked rich have taken advantage of and He will definitely and ultimately bring justice!
3 - As we work and earn money over the course of our lifetime, our focus should be on truth, selflessness, and godliness with contentment.
James 5:7-9
1 - Patient, uncomplaining endurance should characterize Christians at all times.
2 - To labor correctly, patient waiting is a must! (like the example of planting a seed and watering and tending and waiting for the harvest...)
3 - The Lord's coming means everlasting bliss for believers, NOT riches on earth.
4 - Don't give up patient endurance and contentment for envy and constant comparisons of "happiness" between ourselves and others.
5 - Focus on eternal life, but also gratitude in this temporal, earthly life.
James 5:10-11
1 - Blessed and happy are those that endure to the end! (Like Job, and he wasn't even patient, but he was perseverant!)
2 - God has special compassion for his own. :)
3 - (Interesting definition of the difference between patience and perseverance) - Perseverance is the quality of sticking to a project until it is done. Perseverance is not the same as patience. Patience is tolerating pain or difficulty. We are patient when we wait quietly until the difficulty disappears by itself. When we persevere, we work hard to remove our difficulty. Perseverance is patience together with constant work to remove the problem.
James 5:12-14
1 - The person that is always ready with an oath causes those that hear him to feel doubts as to his truthfulness and to discredit even those statements made under oath! It's like proving TOO much, thus not proving anything.
2 - Anointing with oil was a means used in the early Church for the miraculous healing of bodily ailments.
3 - We should think of the Lord not only when we're in trouble, but also in days of blessing and joy!
James 5:15-16 (Today's Reading)
1 - Be eager to ask for and give forgiveness often, and when needed.
2 - A Christian's prayer has great power, a power that we never can really even understand!
There's been a lot of meat & potatoes to teach us all different things in these last couple of weeks! I know for me, it's been perfect timing for this section of Scripture - God knows what I need!! :) So I have been praying to really learn from it and let it sink in and for God to help me change where I need to. It's so easy to read the Bible and think it doesn't really apply to us because we're too afraid at what it might mean if we have to change...!
I can't believe we only have 3 more days left in James! Since this is Week 11 and this is a 12-Week Session, GMG.org provides us with a Week 12 Printable that helps in wrapping up our study by finding a verse (or more than one!) that was special to each of us and sharing it with the group. Feel free to follow the worksheet and share as you would like! :) Thanks! This was so wonderful to do together!!
To wrap it up, here are two links for you:
A little further help to understand being rich or poor in the eyes of God -
4 Ways to Use Money in the Bible
And a favorite song of mine that keeps my perspective real - comforting, beautiful, and lovely reminder -
"Beautiful Ending" by Barlow Girl
Love you girls,
Always leaning hard on Him with you ~Cait :)
A week and a half later, and here I am again, Martha-syndrome perfected and confessing. Getting on to post anything at all has been a challenge, but thankfully God has pulled me close to read our verses in James throughout the last few days. Thankfully, he has tugged at me through fears and weaknesses to talk to Him and pray over all. this. STUFF. as I go here and there and everywhere. I am enjoying a quiet morning finally! with a big mug of coffee and fresh spring air and bird-chirping filling the house. I have my notes in front of me from the past week and a half, and if you don't mind I would like to share what I've written and learned! :)
James 5:1-3
1 - The rich people mentioned there are not Christians.
2 - Corrosion is a result of hoarding, of selfishness and thoughtlessness of others.
3 - These verses are seriously warning against being selfishly rich...and not just addressing anyone who God blesses with wealth.
4 - It is wrong to be rich when we put our trust in the riches rather than God.
5 - The goal, whatever amount of money we possess, should always be godly contentment, and honest, hard work.
James 5:4-6
1 - The wicked rich people "fatten themselves on the very day of slaughter (like cattle!) totally unaware of their coming destruction". (from NIV footnote)
2 - God hears the cries of those that the wicked rich have taken advantage of and He will definitely and ultimately bring justice!
3 - As we work and earn money over the course of our lifetime, our focus should be on truth, selflessness, and godliness with contentment.
James 5:7-9
1 - Patient, uncomplaining endurance should characterize Christians at all times.
2 - To labor correctly, patient waiting is a must! (like the example of planting a seed and watering and tending and waiting for the harvest...)
3 - The Lord's coming means everlasting bliss for believers, NOT riches on earth.
4 - Don't give up patient endurance and contentment for envy and constant comparisons of "happiness" between ourselves and others.
5 - Focus on eternal life, but also gratitude in this temporal, earthly life.
James 5:10-11
1 - Blessed and happy are those that endure to the end! (Like Job, and he wasn't even patient, but he was perseverant!)
2 - God has special compassion for his own. :)
3 - (Interesting definition of the difference between patience and perseverance) - Perseverance is the quality of sticking to a project until it is done. Perseverance is not the same as patience. Patience is tolerating pain or difficulty. We are patient when we wait quietly until the difficulty disappears by itself. When we persevere, we work hard to remove our difficulty. Perseverance is patience together with constant work to remove the problem.
James 5:12-14
1 - The person that is always ready with an oath causes those that hear him to feel doubts as to his truthfulness and to discredit even those statements made under oath! It's like proving TOO much, thus not proving anything.
2 - Anointing with oil was a means used in the early Church for the miraculous healing of bodily ailments.
3 - We should think of the Lord not only when we're in trouble, but also in days of blessing and joy!
James 5:15-16 (Today's Reading)
1 - Be eager to ask for and give forgiveness often, and when needed.
2 - A Christian's prayer has great power, a power that we never can really even understand!
There's been a lot of meat & potatoes to teach us all different things in these last couple of weeks! I know for me, it's been perfect timing for this section of Scripture - God knows what I need!! :) So I have been praying to really learn from it and let it sink in and for God to help me change where I need to. It's so easy to read the Bible and think it doesn't really apply to us because we're too afraid at what it might mean if we have to change...!
I can't believe we only have 3 more days left in James! Since this is Week 11 and this is a 12-Week Session, GMG.org provides us with a Week 12 Printable that helps in wrapping up our study by finding a verse (or more than one!) that was special to each of us and sharing it with the group. Feel free to follow the worksheet and share as you would like! :) Thanks! This was so wonderful to do together!!
To wrap it up, here are two links for you:
A little further help to understand being rich or poor in the eyes of God -
4 Ways to Use Money in the Bible
And a favorite song of mine that keeps my perspective real - comforting, beautiful, and lovely reminder -
"Beautiful Ending" by Barlow Girl
Love you girls,
Always leaning hard on Him with you ~Cait :)
James 5:15-16
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
I guess the first the person who comes to mind when I think of a righteous man who prayed and had quite an effect is Elijah, but there are so many more. God says when we knock the door will be opened. That is so amazing. Sometimes what's on the other side of the door isn't quite what we expected, but, nevertheless, he does answer our prayers in his all-knowing, perfect intentions to protect us, mold us, and carry us to be with him one day. He works all things for our good.
A sin to confess to you all is one of worry. It not only hurts me, but it hurts those around me. I worry about things in the future, like silly projects, that can't be completed until certain dates. God knows of them and cares. I need only ask him to put me at peace, but I continue to fret. Please pray that my faith would be stronger, that I would trust that he will do exactly what he says he will. O, me of little faith! Our God has so much strength to give, if only I would ask more!
Love you gals.
Monday, April 11, 2011
James 5:13-14
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord."
I am reminded that I should be praying continually. There is always, always something to thank God for. In our happiness and joyful moments, in our quiet content moments, in our distress and under even a modicum of anxiety, we should call out and talk to God. He is ever-present...so near to help us and he delights in hearing our voices. If anything is good or noble and we think on it, it is an opportunity to thank God, and if there is anything that is oppressing us or causing anxious thoughts, it is a time to seek God in prayer. I want to have this constant communion with him, but I so often fall on my own mind and hands to get things done, to distract myself from these soul cries. Often, when I do call out to him, I find I am thirsty, and then I go to his Word. Oh, Lord, please give us hearts that long to praise and adore you, to rely heavily on you, hearts that know we are nothing without you...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
James 5: 4-6
Today's reading made me think about the way I should treat others. Unfortunately, sometimes I put myself above others selfishly, trying to only benefit myself. When I do this I am not thinking about others like I should! God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, which is such a simple statement, but one of the hardest things to actually put into action. I want to do my best to put myself in the postion of others around me, and try to focus on how I would like to be treated.
There are so many small ways that we can do this that we don't even think about sometimes! I know some specific ways that I'm going to try and work on are things like the way I drive. If someone cuts me off or does something rude on the road, I don't need to think negatively or make a point to make sure they know they made me mad. Instead, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they didn't mean it, or are just having a rough day, and say a little prayer for them. I feel like our reactions to little things like that can make an impact on that person's day. I know that the way I'm going with this is probably a little different, but overall this section made me thing about selfishness and our attitudes towards others. God put us first, so we should show the same selfishness to those around us. :)
Ladies, tonight I would appreciate some of your prayers. I had a doctor's appointment today in the cities for some pain in my chest that I've been having for a while, and was planning on going back to school afterwards, but my doctor wants to check out my chest further by having an ultrasound taken tomorrow to make sure there's nothing in there! So I'm at home for the night, and a little nervous for tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it's nothing serious, but I would still appreciate your prayers! I hope you all are doing well and are having a great week so far. Love you all! :)
Jessica
There are so many small ways that we can do this that we don't even think about sometimes! I know some specific ways that I'm going to try and work on are things like the way I drive. If someone cuts me off or does something rude on the road, I don't need to think negatively or make a point to make sure they know they made me mad. Instead, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they didn't mean it, or are just having a rough day, and say a little prayer for them. I feel like our reactions to little things like that can make an impact on that person's day. I know that the way I'm going with this is probably a little different, but overall this section made me thing about selfishness and our attitudes towards others. God put us first, so we should show the same selfishness to those around us. :)
Ladies, tonight I would appreciate some of your prayers. I had a doctor's appointment today in the cities for some pain in my chest that I've been having for a while, and was planning on going back to school afterwards, but my doctor wants to check out my chest further by having an ultrasound taken tomorrow to make sure there's nothing in there! So I'm at home for the night, and a little nervous for tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it's nothing serious, but I would still appreciate your prayers! I hope you all are doing well and are having a great week so far. Love you all! :)
Jessica
Monday, April 4, 2011
James 5: 1-3
Today's reading goes really well with a presentation I had to give about a portion of the Sermon on the Mount a few weeks ago for my Religion class. My section was Matthew 6:19-24 - Treasures in Heaven.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
In the world we live in it's almost impossible not to make our earthly possessions one of our most important priorities. Everywhere we look we see things that we wished we had, or we do have, but aren't satisfied with. God gives us so much to be thankful for, but instead of thanking Him and putting Him first, we indulge in everything we want and need. Unfortunately for us, these things will only be here a short time and will be completely forgotten only in a matter of time.
God is telling us that we can't let our wanting and 'need' for these unimportant things get the best of us, because when they do, we can't give our whole heart to our Heavenly Father, the one who gave us all these things in the first place!
In my presentation my partner and I talked about how quickly everything can be taken from us. We used the example of the tragedy in Japan, because within days people lost everything they had. We need to focus on the things that we can take with us to Heaven like our faith and love for our God! In the end, that's all we'll have - our Precious Savior, the only thing we need. :)
Praying that you all have wonderful week!
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
In the world we live in it's almost impossible not to make our earthly possessions one of our most important priorities. Everywhere we look we see things that we wished we had, or we do have, but aren't satisfied with. God gives us so much to be thankful for, but instead of thanking Him and putting Him first, we indulge in everything we want and need. Unfortunately for us, these things will only be here a short time and will be completely forgotten only in a matter of time.
God is telling us that we can't let our wanting and 'need' for these unimportant things get the best of us, because when they do, we can't give our whole heart to our Heavenly Father, the one who gave us all these things in the first place!
In my presentation my partner and I talked about how quickly everything can be taken from us. We used the example of the tragedy in Japan, because within days people lost everything they had. We need to focus on the things that we can take with us to Heaven like our faith and love for our God! In the end, that's all we'll have - our Precious Savior, the only thing we need. :)
Praying that you all have wonderful week!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
James 4:14-17
Good morning girlfriends!
Another week in James flew by and I am realizing how weak I am to study God's Word when the frustrations in life hit hard: work schedules that aren't ideal, sickness, to-do lists that are ever growing. The last couple of weeks and also the next two months are going to be a flurry of such things, I think. I have had the craziest, most run-me-over type of cold that I've had in a few years. It's kept me stranded in bed sleeping as much as I could, to now not letting me sleep much through the night because of the unrelenting coughing. That, combined with working both jobs and planning somewhat frantically for all the big move details coming up (so fast!)...has left me with the usual excuse that "I couldn't find the time or energy to keep up!" You'll have to forgive me for that, because even as I say it, I know it's my biggest pet peeve excuse because in our lives, we MAKE time for what's important to us.
I confess that I haven't made time for THIS most important thing. I was a Martha this week, to the fullest extent. Lord, forgive me!!
Our section for this past week in James was just so perfect for where I'm at right now. It's a great reminder for me to keep all this planning and dreaming within God's will for me, for hubby and I. It's so difficult, when so much is soon to change and it feels as if your livelihood is at stake, to trust that God still is in control and that he wants to - and will - make the ultimate plans for us! It's wrong of me to think I can handle by myself even the trifles of my life. God sees the small areas of our lives also, the hidden places we're trying to fuddle with and make work out. He has a plan for those places too and a good one at that!
What I understood about this section in James is that my human pride and trust in myself is the main culprit for getting me into major trouble. Pride starts so much wrong and leads us away from God rather than to him! Pride makes us boastful; pride makes us think we can plan and plan and God will just bless whatever we feel like doing!; pride weakens our view of right and wrong because we start to think everything we do is right all the time.
I desperately don't want that pride in my heart. My prayer today and for hubby's and my unknown future is that I would be humble and trusting, that I would refuse to question His goodness in our life and His priority to take care of us in His best way! I want my eyes to be open to the good and right ways I ought to live and ask for more of the godly strength to live it out.
God knew I would need these of His words at this exact time in our study of James. To me, that is just a beautiful detail of His magnificent plan - that he will always give us what we need, when we need it. And the plan is already set out - God doesn't "plan as he goes". :) Thank goodness for that!!
Girls, any and all encouragement or involvement in our study is much appreciated in the next couple of weeks. I am aware of my lack of discipline in this area (still), and could use any urging and reminders to find refuge where it matters when life becomes big and busy and bothersome. And if you could say a prayer that I could heal 100% from this cold/flu thing I've got :) that would be wonderful. It feels like it's in the last stages, but I don't feel like myself yet. And this beautiful spring weather we're having is beckoning me outside for a jog and I just want the energy to do so!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Leaning hard on Him with you,
Love, Cait
Another week in James flew by and I am realizing how weak I am to study God's Word when the frustrations in life hit hard: work schedules that aren't ideal, sickness, to-do lists that are ever growing. The last couple of weeks and also the next two months are going to be a flurry of such things, I think. I have had the craziest, most run-me-over type of cold that I've had in a few years. It's kept me stranded in bed sleeping as much as I could, to now not letting me sleep much through the night because of the unrelenting coughing. That, combined with working both jobs and planning somewhat frantically for all the big move details coming up (so fast!)...has left me with the usual excuse that "I couldn't find the time or energy to keep up!" You'll have to forgive me for that, because even as I say it, I know it's my biggest pet peeve excuse because in our lives, we MAKE time for what's important to us.
I confess that I haven't made time for THIS most important thing. I was a Martha this week, to the fullest extent. Lord, forgive me!!
Our section for this past week in James was just so perfect for where I'm at right now. It's a great reminder for me to keep all this planning and dreaming within God's will for me, for hubby and I. It's so difficult, when so much is soon to change and it feels as if your livelihood is at stake, to trust that God still is in control and that he wants to - and will - make the ultimate plans for us! It's wrong of me to think I can handle by myself even the trifles of my life. God sees the small areas of our lives also, the hidden places we're trying to fuddle with and make work out. He has a plan for those places too and a good one at that!
What I understood about this section in James is that my human pride and trust in myself is the main culprit for getting me into major trouble. Pride starts so much wrong and leads us away from God rather than to him! Pride makes us boastful; pride makes us think we can plan and plan and God will just bless whatever we feel like doing!; pride weakens our view of right and wrong because we start to think everything we do is right all the time.
I desperately don't want that pride in my heart. My prayer today and for hubby's and my unknown future is that I would be humble and trusting, that I would refuse to question His goodness in our life and His priority to take care of us in His best way! I want my eyes to be open to the good and right ways I ought to live and ask for more of the godly strength to live it out.
God knew I would need these of His words at this exact time in our study of James. To me, that is just a beautiful detail of His magnificent plan - that he will always give us what we need, when we need it. And the plan is already set out - God doesn't "plan as he goes". :) Thank goodness for that!!
Girls, any and all encouragement or involvement in our study is much appreciated in the next couple of weeks. I am aware of my lack of discipline in this area (still), and could use any urging and reminders to find refuge where it matters when life becomes big and busy and bothersome. And if you could say a prayer that I could heal 100% from this cold/flu thing I've got :) that would be wonderful. It feels like it's in the last stages, but I don't feel like myself yet. And this beautiful spring weather we're having is beckoning me outside for a jog and I just want the energy to do so!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Leaning hard on Him with you,
Love, Cait
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