James 1:1 James names himself as a servant of God & of Jesus. Let's not whiz past this. James know his place& who he is.
Before any other title or name we or the world could give us, we are servants of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. This defines us.
1:1 "2 the 12 tribes in the dispersion." 40-50 AD. This is a Jewish house church. These are children & family of persecuted church in acts.
Dispersion means: he's writing to the Jews who scattered during the persecution of the early church. This makes verse 2 more amazing
Jm.1:1 makes vs2 much more awesome. He's writing to people who are persecuted £ed on for their faith. So he meets them where they are.
some versions say in James 1:1 "bondservant" Bondservants were servants by choice, surrendering their rights to their master Slaves were often marked by an earring. When the slave became a bondservant, the earring was nailed to the master's door.
1:2 see that many of us take our "ministry" to the world when God shows us to just love people where they are. He comforts the hurting first
Vs.2 have you ever watched a suspense movie 4 the second time and still been worried for the Hero? NO! You already know how it ends!
V.2 James is showing us that as children of God we must remember that God is @ the end of our storms looking back on them and He's @ work.
James 1:4- I'm often left "incomplete" because I'm busy trying to pray my way out of God's life shaping storms in my life.
James 1:5-8: vs.5 is one of the most known yet mist ignored verses in James. We can truly pray to God for wisdom. And He gives it freely.
Yet, how many times have I asked for deliverance from my storms instead of wisdom to walk thru it, letting steadfastness finish it's work?
James 1:5-8 God is offering wisdom freely to all who ask. How many times a week do you pray for wisdom: in friendships, marriage, decisions
Wisdom is Life Knowledge. There are plenty of smart people in the world. But there is a shortage today of Wisdom.
Vs.6-8 Doubleminded: is our faith compartmentalized? We trust God w/our job but not w/our health. Our time but not our wealth. Doubleminded
The "waves" of everyday life have their way with us until we truly understand that we can trust Him. He says He gives wisdom. So believe Him
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