Stuart shared with us from the parable of the persistent widow found in Luke 18:1-8 and he challenged us to pray persistently and reminded us that God will answer those “which cry day and night unto him”.

Overview of James 1

We discussed how we must ‘look in the mirror’ (James 1:23-25) to see our state before God and to see how far we fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). We looked at the example of Paul in Romans 7 and how, despite the life that he lived to serve the Lord, he still saw his great need for God and how corrupt and sinful he was.

James 2:1-13

James tells us that we are not to be partial or to have ‘respect of persons’ as it says in the KJV (James 2:1). He gives the example of a rich man and a poor man coming to an assembly and the difference in the way that they are treated. He tells us that if we treat people in this way we ‘are become judges of evil thoughts’.

We must examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) and ‘look in the mirror’ (James 1:23-25) to see if we are guilty of showing partiality, for it says in verse 9 that ‘if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors’.

We discussed how there are many ways in which we can show partiality:

Social status

Intellectual ability

Race

Gender

Age

Personality type

Church denomination

Role within the church, etc.

We must ask ourselves if we are partial. On what basis do we make friends, who do we make friends with, and for what purpose do we make friends, is it for our own gain?

Verse 8 mentions the ‘royal law’ love your neighbour as yourself. This is the supreme law on which many other commandments hang. If we love our neighbour we will not kill or commit adultery (v11). When one link in a chain breaks and the entire chain falls, so it is with us when we break just one commandment, we are ‘guilty of all’ (v10).

Next week: 9/11/11

Devotion: Sarah

Take notes for summary of study: Stuart

Hannah brought to us an article that was entitled: Am I wasting my life? The article was responding to the following question: Can you give me some advice on how to use my time wisely? I’m doing lots of things, but I’m not feeling very satisfied with any of them. I feel awfully random and that I would like to do more with my life, but there seem to be no opportunities. How do you both determine how to best spend your time, and prioritize?

Refer to the following link for the full article: http://visionarydaughters.com/category/anna-sofia-and-elizabeth-answer-questions.

The following is an excerpt of the complete article:

Part of the problem of our generation, sometimes referred to as the “entitlement generation,” is that we think our time is ours. What do we want to do? What do we want to see accomplished?

We must begin by recognizing that the time is God’s, and should be devoted to doing what He would want done. What are His priorities? Do we understand His mind well enough to know? He is the King and we are the servants, and time is one of many assets He has entrusted to His stewards to invest in His interests (Matt. 25:14-29).

Another problem is how we perceive our responsibility relating to time. Some live as though time is to be passed. The more diligent live as though time is to be filled. But Christians should know that time must be redeemed.

Twiddling our thumbs patiently as we wait for events to come and go is unacceptable; puttering around “keeping busy” while we wait for things to happen is only a little better. Paul commanded the church at Ephesus, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming [literally, "buying back"] the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:15, 16)

But how do we discern which pursuits will buy back the time, and which will only fill it? How do we know which endeavours are worthwhile, and which will distract us?

We (the authors) each have mile-long lists of interests and dreams we know we will never have time to pursue in our brief lifetimes. We’ve had to learn to prioritize carefully, and give up the things of lesser importance to make room for the things of eternal significance. As Paul said, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient [profitable]: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Cor. 6:12)

Our criteria for judging every project or pursuit is basically this:

Does it meet a pressing need? (Titus 3:14)
Will it shepherd His sheep? (John 21:16)
Is it crucial to discipling all the nations, teaching them to observe all that He commanded? (Matthew 28:20)
Will it build on the foundation with gold, silver and precious stones, or with wood, hay and straw? Will it withstand the test of fire? (1 Corinthians 3:12-14)

James 1:19-27

It is a mark of maturity when we face ourselves honestly, know ourselves and are willing to admit that we have areas in our life were things are not as they should be and have a real need for change.

James is encouraging us to listen to the Word of God, and respond. Do not be so bold as to say that you have no need of change. Don’t be like to person who says to themself, I have no need to look in the mirror this morning before I go out because I know I look good. Hear what the Word of God has to say. Is it possible that we can have an attitude like those of the Laodicean Church mentioned in Revelation 3 and be deceiving ourselves?

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

James also encourages us to get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent in our life. Do not deceive yourself into thinking that you have no need. In comparison to the people around us you may have cause for boasting and think there is no need for change but how about in comparison to the righteous standard of the Word of God?

James goes on to say that if we have a pure and faultless religion there ought to be evidence of this and if there is no evidence then our religion is worthless.  He suggests that we ought to have control of our tongue, we ought to help those in need and we ought to be separated from the world.

A religion that is worthwhile produces action not idleness. We need to ask ourselves who are the needy and how can we help. The call here is to a selfless life that is always on the lookout for opportunities to help those in need not ourselves. Who are the needy?

Separation from the world.  What is the world? We discussed that it is the world system that is setup in opposition to God’s kingdom. Satan is the prince of this world (John 14:30). We are in the world but we are not to be friends of the world nor be conformed to the pattern of the world.  We discussed that this requires diligence and again we can deceive ourselves into thinking that we have no need in this area. We can ignore the fact that we are indeed being conformed to the pattern of this world in certain areas of our life and allow this to continue by pretending or ignoring. We are called to be set apart, unique, holy. Consider the lives of Abraham and Lot as examples of one who is set apart and one who loves the world.

We are the ones who miss out if we allow ourselves to be deceived. Why would we do this to ourselves?

Next Week: 2/11/11:

Devotion: Stuart

Take notes for summary of study: Hannah

This Friday we are not having a family games night but are heading to Trench Health and Fitness for a boot camp. So we are meeting DCF at 7pm and returning at 10pm. Cost is $3.00. Hope you can all make it.

Oh and this isn’t an April fools .

Catch yas all Friday

So what is a Prayer Sister work?

A Prayer sister is a faithful sister in Christ who prays and has the opportunity to meet with you and get to know you more.

At the beginning of each year an “about me” form is completed, which includes a section to choose ladies you would like to know better. Prayer sisters are matched and introduced. It is encouraged that you get together for coffee occasionally to share praise/prayer points, which can also be done via phone or email. It is a fantastic opportunity to get to know other ladies in our church and rejoice in the blessings of a Prayer Sisiter.

Contact our church office for information on how to get involved!!