James Part One

So over the last few months I have been falling out of touch with God. I know that it’s time to get down to my roots with him again. He is the one and only that knows me best. So I decided that I wanted to do a bible study for myself over the book of James. I am not sure how long it’s going to take to go thru the whole book but I know that it’s something that I want to do. I might even get some resources from on line so that I can completely understand what’s going on in this book. I know that James talks about the way people should act toward one another and how to be a better Christian. Looking thru the web I have found some questions that will help with this study. I want to make sure that I am getting in deep with this study.

There are a lot of places in the bible that talk about James. There was several different James mentioned thru out the bible so it’s hard to say witch James wrote this letter but they believe it to be the James that was brother to Jesus. They also say that he was at one time a non believer. Like most letters it starts out with his addressing who he is, and who he is writing too.

James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. James 1:1

When James wrote this letter it was to go out and travel the land so that all the people that believed would learn something from it. James talks about Tribes when he introduces the letter to people. The tribes that James is talking about aren’t really tribes but groups of people spread across the Jewish Christians. I personally think that this letter was to be read to all new Christians to help them understand how to act like a Christian.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds James 1:2

What are trials you might ask? The dictionary has lots of different meaning for Trials but the one that I think can be applied here. The act of trying, testing, or putting to the proof is what I think trial means (dictionary.com). Without having these trials how can we become stronger as a person? In everything that we do we will be test at how well we do in it.

Because you know that testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

Testing or Trials with our faith can bring us closer to God or farther away. It helps us to prove to ourselves that what God does for us is the right way to live our lives. I think thru experience makes us stronger to deal with it better the next time it would happen. James tells us in 1:4 what it means to have trials. Which states Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

SOAP 35

Scripture

Job 42:1-16

1-6 Job answered God: "I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything.
Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, 'Who is this muddying the water,
ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?'
I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me,
made small talk about wonders way over my head.
You told me, 'Listen, and let me do the talking.
Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.'
I admit I once lived by rumors of you;
now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I'm sorry—forgive me. I'll never do that again, I promise!
I'll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor."
7-8 After God had finished addressing Job, he turned to Eliphaz the Temanite and said, "I've had it with you and your two friends. I'm fed up! You haven't been honest either with me or about me—not the way my friend Job has. So here's what you must do. Take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my friend Job. Sacrifice a burnt offering on your own behalf. My friend Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer. He will ask me not to treat you as you deserve for talking nonsense about me, and for not being honest with me, as he has."
9 They did it. Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did what God commanded. And God accepted Job's prayer.
10-11 After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it! All his brothers and sisters and friends came to his house and celebrated. They told him how sorry they were, and consoled him for all the trouble God had brought him. Each of them brought generous housewarming gifts.
12-15 God blessed Job's later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first daughter Dove, the second, Cinnamon, and the third, Darkeyes. There was not a woman in that country as beautiful as Job's daughters. Their father treated them as equals with their brothers, providing the same inheritance.
16-17 Job lived on another 140 years, living to see his children and grandchildren—four generations of them! Then he died—an old man, a full life.

Observation

1. How did Job respond to God's correction?
Job admitted that he was in the wrong and then ask God to for give him.

2. What did god say to Job's friends who had offered bad counsel?
He told them to sacrifice 7 bulls and 7 rams.

3. How was Job blessed after suffering such tragedy and loss?
God gave him back everything and then doubled it.

Application

1. How can you keep a right attitude during suffering?
I think if I have good communication with God that he will show me the way out of suffering.

2. Job learned so much about himself and God through the pain he suffered. What have you learned about yourself and about God through your sufferings?
I have learned that God is in control and I need to let him guide me and stop trying to push my way through things.

3. What are some of the blessings that come out of suffering when we are able to keep a grip on our faith?
Some gifts of suffering are: gives you strength, helps us to grow stronger in faith, and helps others to see our faith in God.

Prayer: God please take care of my best friends family as they are putting to rest a loving Man who has had faith in you. May you seat him with you in heaven. Also pray that I stay strong in my faith as I have been having a hard time coming to you God with everything that's going on in my life. Only you know what is best for me. Please show me the way so that I can fallow you. Amen.

Soap 32

Scripture

Job 2:1-13

The Second Test: Health
1-3 One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan also showed up. God singled out Satan, saying, "And what have you been up to?" Satan answered God, "Oh, going here and there, checking things out." Then God said to Satan, "Have you noticed my friend Job? There's no one quite like him, is there—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil? He still has a firm grip on his integrity! You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn't work."
4-5 Satan answered, "A human would do anything to save his life. But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away his health? He'd curse you to your face, that's what."
6 God said, "All right. Go ahead—you can do what you like with him. But mind you, don't kill him."
7-8 Satan left God and struck Job with terrible sores. Job was ulcers and scabs from head to foot. They itched and oozed so badly that he took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself, then went and sat on a trash heap, among the ashes.
9 His wife said, "Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!"
10 He told her, "You're talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?"
Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God.
Job's Three Friends
11-13 Three of Job's friends heard of all the trouble that had fallen on him. Each traveled from his own country—Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuhah, Zophar from Naamath—and went together to Job to keep him company and comfort him. When they first caught sight of him, they couldn't believe what they saw—they hardly recognized him! They cried out in lament, ripped their robes, and dumped dirt on their heads as a sign of their grief. Then they sat with him on the ground. Seven days and nights they sat there without saying a word. They could see how rotten he felt, how deeply he was suffering.

Observation

1. What is taken away from Job in this passage of Scripture?
Job's health was taken away from him.

2. What is his wife's response? What is Job's response?
Job's wife wanted him to curse God. Job said "How can we thank him for our good times and not the bad?"

3. How do Job's friends initially provide comfort to him when his world has fallen apart?
Job's friends where there to give him support though the though time Job had been having.

Application

1. When our health is compromised, why is it so hard to trust that God has a plan in the midst of so much pain and suffering?
I don't think it's just our health that we act this way. I think it's hard to see the whole picture when you don't know what's going to happen next. We always want to know the out come of any problem. It's like when we watch TV and our favorite show ends in a cliff hanger we always want to know whats going to happen next to them.

2. How can you provide comfort for those who are hurting?
The help that I can give is to just be there for them and let them know that I am their for them. If they ask I will give them advice. I just think knowing that someone is there for me in my time of need gives me comfort in knowing that people love and care for me.

3. Do you struggle with knowing what to say to someone who is going through a tragedy?
I think from being in a lot of tragedies to know that anything anyone says isn't going to make someone feel better but being there for them when they need someone to talk to about a problems. I know for me it makes me feel better. I have told others that I sometimes don't want to hear what they say but I want them to listen to what I have to say.

Prayer God, I know that there is a lot of people struggling to night, please help these people with their struggles. I know that I have struggles in my life that need to be answered but I have faith that you know what is right in my life. Please help my best friends family as they struggle though the sickness of a loved one. Help me focus on you. Speak to me and tell me what I need to do with my life right now because I am having a hard time focusing on what needs to be done right now in my life. You have put a lot of great people in my life to help guide me to where I need to be in my life, keep those people strong and show them understand. You are my one and only Love. Amen

Heros & Zeros: When the Earth Quakes

Bad things happen because....

1. We live in a fallen world.

Romans 8:22-We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

2. Because of our own Sin.
3. Satan.

1 Peter 5:8b-Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

4. God Allows us to suffer.

-Because we are stubborn.
-Helps others
-Test our faith

Example

Job 1:8-12-The the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his house hold and everything he has? you have blessed the work of his hangs, so that his flocks and herds are spread thought the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has and he will surely curse you to Your face." The Lord said to Satan, "very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Job 1:20-22- At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrong doing.

-Why do we believe? Why do we serve him?
-God will not be insulted by our feelings. God cares about us.

Job 2:8-Then job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

-Fake it to make it

Job 2:10-You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

-Curse God and die
-don't answer the questions why? Doesn't do any good can take way the pain. but stand by them.
-Jobs friends were wrong.
-Job Questions God (330 Questions); God not control, God doesn't care!
-God Silent

Luke 13:4-5-...Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you No!

Job 38:4-5- Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me. if you understand. who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

Job 38:8-Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb...

Job 38:12-Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place...

Job 39:1-2-Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? Do you count the months till they bear? DO you know the time they give birth?


Romans 8:38-9-For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Job 42:6-Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.

-God 70 Questions for Job
-Do you know what I'm in control of?
-God will be with you through it all!!
-God never answers Questions why but fills him with Holy Spirit!


Life is but a vapor. Life is brief. Eternity is eternal.

Soap 30

"Sorry I skipped a day... been a little busy to blog but I'm here now."

Scripture

1 Samuel 31:1-13

1-2 The Philistines made war on Israel. The men of Israel were in full retreat from the Philistines, falling left and right, wounded on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines caught up with Saul and his sons. They killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua, Saul's sons.
3-4 The battle was hot and heavy around Saul. The archers got his range and wounded him badly. Saul said to his weapon bearer, "Draw your sword and put me out of my misery, lest these pagan pigs come and make a game out of killing me."
4-6 But his weapon bearer wouldn't do it. He was terrified. So Saul took the sword himself and fell on it. When the weapon bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, and his weapon bearer—the men closest to him—died together that day.
7 When the Israelites in the valley opposite and those on the other side of the Jordan saw that their army was in full retreat and that Saul and his sons were dead, they left their cities and ran for their lives. The Philistines moved in and occupied the sites.
8-10 The next day, when the Philistines came to rob the dead, they found Saul and his three sons dead on Mount Gilboa. They cut off Saul's head and stripped off his armor. Then they spread the good news all through Philistine country in the shrines of their idols and among the people. They displayed his armor in the shrine of the Ashtoreth. They nailed his corpse to the wall at Beth Shan.
11-13 The people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul. Their valiant men sprang into action. They traveled all night, took the corpses of Saul and his three sons from the wall at Beth Shan, and carried them back to Jabesh and burned off the flesh. They then buried the bones under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted in mourning for seven days.

Observation

1. How did Saul end his life?
He fell on his own sword and killed him self.

2. how do the men of Jabesh Gilead demonstrate the honor and courage of heroes?
They display it for all to see. So, that everyone knows what the hero has done.

Application

1. If you could have given Saul one piece of advice early on in his life, what would you want to tell him? How can we talk to our family and friends when we see them headed down a path of destruction?
If I could give Saul advice it would be patience is a virtue. With this he would learn that not everything comes to you right way. But when you wait for the right time you can get everything that you need. I think its really hard to be honest with family members and friends but I think if we give them advice, we should keep in mind that not everyone will fallow that advice. I think saying it is easier then actually doing it. I think saying something is better then doing nothing at all.

2. What are some steps you can take to ensure you are not destroyed by a life of sin?
The steps I think I would have to take would be first of all have a close relationship with my Christ. I also think that talking to others about the problems I am dealing with also helps me keep sin out of my life.

Prayer God, thank you for putting such great people in my life. They have encouraged me to grow in you and be strong in everything I do. Please watch over my best friend as she is about to have a baby or already had a baby. Babies are gifts from God. Also help me be strong in the things I need to do in my life. I know that you are always watching over me but some times giving up these things on my chest helps me to see your true plan. I love you and all the things you do in my life. Amen

SOAP 28

Scripture:

1 Samuel 17:1-11; 32-50

1-3 The Philistines drew up their troops for battle. They deployed them at Socoh in Judah, and set up camp between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes Dammim. Saul and the Israelites came together, camped at Oak Valley, and spread out their troops in battle readiness for the Philistines. The Philistines were on one hill, the Israelites on the opposing hill, with the valley between them.
4-7 A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor—126 pounds of it! He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. His spear was like a fence rail—the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds. His shield bearer walked ahead of him.
8-10 Goliath stood there and called out to the Israelite troops, "Why bother using your whole army? Am I not Philistine enough for you? And you're all committed to Saul, aren't you? So pick your best fighter and pit him against me. If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you'll all become our slaves and serve us. I challenge the troops of Israel this day. Give me a man. Let us fight it out together!"
11 When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine's challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope.


32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
33 Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
34-37 David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Saul said, "Go. And God help you!"
38-39 Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge.
David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off.
40 Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.
41-42 As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere youngster, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed.
43 The Philistine ridiculed David. "Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?" And he cursed him by his gods.
44 "Come on," said the Philistine. "I'll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I'll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice."
45-47 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he's handing you to us on a platter!"
48-49 That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt.
50 That's how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. No sword for David!

Observation:

1. Based on appearances, why would King Saul have been a good choice to fight Goliath?
Well he was bigger then all the people of Israel. With him being bigger it would of been a better match up.

2. What did Saul do to try to prepare David for battle with Goliath?
Saul gave David all this armer to help protect him. But David didn't take the armer knowing that God was watching out for him.

3. How did David reveal He was a true Hero compared to Saul?
He trusted in God and stood up for his people when the King couldn't.

Applications:

1. David;s complete trust in God is demonstrated by his willingness to step out in faith and "face his giant". Do you have a giant in your life taunting you?
Yes, depression has come over me a lot in the last several months I have been working on fighting it. Some times it just over comes me and I dont know what to do about it. I am trying to find a job to help with all the stress that I am under which will help the depression to go away. Just believing that God is there to back me up has helped a lot.

2. What can you do to trust God to defeat the Giant you are facing?
I think that I need to pray and try and put it in Gods hands. I know that he knows what can help me through this hard time. I think also listoning to what God is trying to tell me to do.

3. For many believers, the giant they are facing is a dtruggle with sin. If this is your giant commit this week to face it head-on. Get help from someone you trust who will stand alongside you aas you defeat your gaint. Who does God bring to your mind as a support Partner?
Right now I really don't know who I can trust. It's hard for me to get close to people. Right now I just dont have that I hope that will change soon.

Prayer: God, I know that I havn't always been the best person but I want to know you and trust you. In trusting you I can become the true believe that I need to be. There are things that are going on in my life that I wish I could change. I just need your help in changing those things. Please help my adopted family as they deal with a person that is very sick and needs your confert right now God. Please let his pasting be peaceful. I know that he will be visiting you soon. Just help the family around him understand where he is going and that everything is going to be ok. Thank you Lord for changing things in me make me see the light that needs to be seen in my life. Everything seems to be moving around me at the speed of light and I would just like to enjoy the time I have here on earth. I just want to stop thinking about death and how it can happen. Pain right now seems so easy. I don't want to get back to my old ways I would like to be refreshed in you. Amen

SOAP 27

Scripture

1 Samuel 13:1-15

1 Saul was a young man when he began as king. He was king over Israel for many years.
2 Saul conscripted enough men for three companies of soldiers. He kept two companies under his command at Micmash and in the Bethel hills. The other company was under Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. He sent the rest of the men home. 3-4 Jonathan attacked and killed the Philistine governor stationed at Geba (Gibeah). When the Philistines heard the news, they raised the alarm: "The Hebrews are in revolt!" Saul ordered the reveille trumpets blown throughout the land. The word went out all over Israel, "Saul has killed the Philistine governor—drawn first blood! The Philistines are stirred up and mad as hornets!" Summoned, the army came to Saul at Gilgal.
5 The Philistines rallied their forces to fight Israel: three companies of chariots, six companies of cavalry, and so many infantry they looked like sand on the seashore. They went up into the hills and set up camp at Micmash, east of Beth Aven.
6-7 When the Israelites saw that they were way outnumbered and in deep trouble, they ran for cover, hiding in caves and pits, ravines and brambles and cisterns—wherever. They retreated across the Jordan River, refugees fleeing to the country of Gad and Gilead. But Saul held his ground in Gilgal, his soldiers still with him but scared to death.
8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel. Samuel failed to show up at Gilgal, and the soldiers were slipping away, right and left.
9-10 So Saul took charge: "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!" He went ahead and sacrificed the burnt offering. No sooner had he done it than Samuel showed up! Saul greeted him.
11-12 Samuel said, "What on earth are you doing?"
Saul answered, "When I saw I was losing my army from under me, and that you hadn't come when you said you would, and that the Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, 'The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven't yet come before God asking for his help.' So I took things into my own hands, and sacrificed the burnt offering."
13-14 "That was a fool thing to do," Samuel said to Saul. "If you had kept the appointment that your God commanded, by now God would have set a firm and lasting foundation under your kingly rule over Israel. As it is, your kingly rule is already falling to pieces. God is out looking for your replacement right now. This time he'll do the choosing. When he finds him, he'll appoint him leader of his people. And all because you didn't keep your appointment with God!"
15 At that, Samuel got up and left Gilgal. What army there was left followed Saul into battle. They went into the hills from Gilgal toward Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul looked over and assessed the soldiers still with him—a mere six hundred!

Observation

1.The first time King Saul summoned the people to fight, 300,000 people showed up. Only 3,000 showed up this time. How did Saul affect the morale of his troops?

I think Saul change the morale of his troops because he didnt seem to have faith in God to show him where to go. With this his disbelief in his people they didnt want to fallow him.

2. In what way was Saul disobedient to God?

He didn't wait like he was told. He wanted to be in control of the situation. He also didn't have the paticence to wait for Samuel.

3. what was the consequence for Saul's disobedience?

Samuel told Saul that he was going to now lose his Kingdom because he couldn't wait for the word of God to happen.

Applications

1. Have you ever gotten ahead of God by implementing your plan rather than his plam?

Yes, when trying to move to New Mexico with out his gidence. So, on the way to moving to New Mexico my car died and I became stuck in a place I didnt really want to be in. I dont know what he had planned for me. I wish I could see what God sees in me.

2. Why is it so diffucult to wait on God and obediently follow His instruction to us? Why are we tempted to take shortcuts?

I think that we want to see where we are going and not be stuck in the darkness, and we really want to hold the rains when God is. We are tempted to take shortcuts because we dont really want to do the work to get where we need to be.

3. What situations do we face as fully devoted followers of Christ that require us to trust God?

I think that God puts trials in our life to make us stronger. I also think that the devil want to take control of our life. Through all the bad things that happen in our life we can find our way out by just believing that God will be there to show us the way.

4. How does trusting in God help us to become genuine from the inside out?

I think that trusting in God helps us to show the love that Christ has for us. It also helps us show the way, the light, and the path to Christ.


Prayer