Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Bible Scripture Reading for Wednesday 2 November 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 November 2011"

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction into the Book of James" 

Today we will introduce you to the Book of James.  The was written by James, the younger brother of Jesus, who became a leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Galatians 1:19; 2:9).  James, as a pastor of the Jerusalem church, is thus primarily concerned that believers live a Christian life in the face of increasing local persecution.  James speaks often of faith, but in the context of exhortations to live a life that is in harmony with a professed faith in Christ.

As far as doctrine is concerned, Those James does express are in fullest harmony with the rest of the New Testament.  God is holy (1:13), a giver of good gifts (1:17), and the father of His people (3:9).  Sin infects human nature 1:14,15), and expresses itself in anger (1:20), immorality 1:21), discrimination (2:9-11), bitterness and passion (4:1-3).  Only faith that works can enable the believer to live a godly life.

The Epistle of James is an important New Testament Book for any to see Christianity as a matter of just "believing right things."  James reminds us "that kind of faith" is worthless, for only faith that transforms us and our way of life is truly Christian.

None of Jesus half brothers responded to Christ's early claims of messiahship (John 7:2-5).  But Acts shows us that James and the other brothers did believe after the Resurrection (Acts 1:14).  James himself quickly became a person of influence and played a significant role in the Jerusalem council, which he may have chaired (Acts 15).

Tradition gives James the nickname "the Just" and tells us his influence extended to the Jewish believers throughout the Roman Empire.  He was also reputedly called "camel knees," because of his fervent dedication to prayer causes calluses to develop on his knees.  This pastoral letter written by James gives us insight in to the earliest days of the church, when believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and to the fellowship of breaking bread and prayer (Acts 2:42).  James was martyred in A.D. 62.

THEOLOGICAL OUTLINE OF JAMES

1. Practicing Faith                                 Chapters 1-2
2. Problems For Faith                           Chapters 3-4
3. Prospects Of Faith                             Chapter 5

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit as we begin to look in the 5 Chapters of James, open our hearts and our minds on what James writes on Faith.  May our Faith in You grow stronger knowing that you are always there for us and that You will never ever leave nor forsake us.  Thank you for all the You do for us.
                                                                                                                                     Amen
Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Luke 4:18,19.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ and Pray for the Nation of Israel.  Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T", God Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."

"The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous." Psalm 146:8

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

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