Final Verses of James
James 5:19–20
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
HOPE!
Too often we are too quick to lose hope. To give up. To give in.
Sadly, this happens way too often in the church world. When a person is gone for a bit, we seemingly just write them off in our heads. Something happened, and that something seems to be final.
James is urging us not to give up. Don’t let people simply wander away! Reach out. Care. Stay in contact. Ask questions. Write letters. Send texts. Share truth. Show good. Be the church.
As I write this devotional this morning, a few names have popped into my head. Here is what I am going to do: I am writing a letter (or a text if I don’t have an address) to each of the people who have flooded my brain. I want to share with them how much I have missed them. I want to share with them my hope to see them return—not simply to our church, but to THE CHURCH (while selfishly hoping it is with us).
I read this morning in Luke 12:6–7:
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
I encourage you to follow my lead and make a contact today. It may have been a while or too long, but it is worth reaching out. Showing you care. Inviting back into fellowship!
Why? For God can do amazing things, and His grace can cover anything!
Praying Scripture
Praying Scripture
Cooper developed for us a phenomenal resource that points us to Scriptures we can pray through when we are feeling certain emotions. The reality is that life is not always steady and easy. At times you feel great joy and peace—we want to help you pray then. At times you feel sadness and gloom—Scripture speaks to this. Anxiety, depression, confusion, and disappointment are all emotions that show up.
In the midst of change, loss, fear, and frustration, you can pray.
Look at the options below and pick one emotion you are feeling. Click the link or flip to the chapter to read and pray through that passage or verse.
Prayer Places
Prayer Places
Nearly every single person reading this text would admit they wish they prayed more and prayed better. We all consider ourselves to be failing in some aspect of prayer. I want to help!
Below is a list of 23 different places you could pray. They are spread throughout the day and in different locations you may find yourself. I encourage you to pick five places from the list and pray in those places today.
Why do this?
If we break the seal of praying in some of these places or times in our day, it might just lead to praying during that time or in that place again in the future. As a pastor, my goal is to help you know and follow Jesus, which includes helping you pray more.
Pick five places you will pray today. If you need to, write them down, text them to yourself, make a plan. I don’t know what you need to do—but pray today.
What to pray?
They can be short prayers:
“Thank you for _______.”
“I am worried about _______.”
“Help me with _______.”
“I need you, God, _______.”
Wise “No”s
James 5:12
Some of us need to learn to say no.
I’m talking to people pleasers. Helpers. Servers. Parents. Friends in unhealthy relationships. Those suffering in abusive situations.
Your no must be no.
In parenting, inconsistency breeds chaos.
In marriage, dishonesty erodes trust.
At work, a weak no destroys credibility.
With your time, a weak no leads to burnout.
With sin, a weak no leads to destruction (James 1:15).
Every yes is also a no to something else.
If you say yes to Dancing with the Stars, you’re saying no to The Voice. You can’t be in two places at once.
Learning to say no allows you to say yes to what matters most.
Reflect:
Where do you need to say no to something you’ve allowed to become a yes—against your better judgment?
Yes be Yes
James 5:12
“But above all… let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no.”
Would you be described as trustworthy?
When you agree to something, do you follow through—or flake out?
When you speak, is it fully truthful or selectively honest?
As James concludes his letter, he begins with honest speech. Followers of Jesus must be people of integrity.
James’ command not to swear isn’t about profanity, but about invoking God’s name to prove a claim. An honest person doesn’t need extra words. A simple yes or no is enough.
Our character should be credible enough to support our words. If people can’t trust us in everyday commitments, why would they trust us with the message of the gospel?
Today, consider:
What have you said yes to that you’re trying to escape?
Where are you making excuses instead of following through?
Decide today to let your yes truly be yes.