Hanging Tough!

Happy Monday everyone! Yesterday, we looked at James 5:7-12, which teaches us how to hang tough in the face of difficult times. The following are questions to consider as we seek to live out the truths this ancient pastor promotes.

1. Uncontrollable circumstances, unchanging people, and unexplainable pain are three “cards” many people have been dealt that can cause them (and us) to feel like giving up. Share a time in which you faced one of these and how you were able to get through it. List two or three activities that were “lifesavers” for you.
2. It’s interesting that in dealing with hardship and injustices, James warns his audience and us that we should not complain about each other nor should we make careless promises. What is in us that tempts us to turn on each other or to make promises we do not mean or cannot make good on?
3. The principle of expectation says we should live with the Lord’s return in mind. The early church did this...what are some activities or attitudes that could keep us from living with an eternal mindset.
4. Describe a difficult time in your life where God continued to use you in spite (or perhaps because of) the trial you were facing.
5. Share an important truth or lesson you learned as a direct result of facing a hard time in life. James teaches that difficult times bring about greater maturity as we learn to respond in ways that honor God. He also reminds us that there is reward or blessing for all those who hang tough in the face of trying times (James 5:11). How do these truths affect the way we view hard times?

May our great God help each one of us to move forward in our faith life in the face of tough times. Have a great week!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Frank   

Real Riches

Hello everyone and happy Monday! What a great Sunday God gave us! Yesterday, we explored what the Bible refers to as true or real riches versus worldly wealth. The following are some questions to consider as we seek to work out these truths in our daily lives.

1. In James 5:1-6, this ancient pastor topples four myths about money. One of the myths is quite popular in our country...having much makes me secure. This myth is a primary reason why it is at times more difficult to reach people who have a comfortable income and lifestyle. Why is that true? And, why is more not enough to provide security and hope in our lives?
2. Why is James so passionate about living with a giving mindset? How does viewing my temporary resources as a means for making an eternal impact change the way I manage my money? 
3. Who does the Bible say is the true owner of all we have (see Ps. 24:1-2)? How does this change the way we view what we have?
4. One of the fundamental truths for wise wealth management is to relinquish control to God. How does that look in real, day-to-day life? How does that look specifically with our finances? What does Malachi 3:9-10 show us about our money as it relates to God?

This is truly a challenging passage in the Bible! James is dead serious about how we view and manage the resources God has entrusted to us. May the Lord help us all to honor Him by investing in what is eternal, which is what our mission statement, helping people discover and develop what matters MOST is all about!  (See www.albanyfirstassembly.org for a description of M-O-S-T).

Grace and peace,

Pastor Frank

Defeating Selfishness!

Guest blogger: Pastor John Miller, Executive Pastor of Spiritual Life at Albany First Assembly.

I hope you are having a Marvelous Monday everyone!

Yesterday we talked about the Enemy that is In-a-Me as we worked through James 4:1-17.  We are our own worst enemy.  Our selfishness can defeat God’s plan for our lives.  James teaches us how to defeat selfishness. Here are some questions to discuss this week as we continue to mature in Christ.

1.    In what ways do you battle selfishness in your life? How does this selfishness affect your relationships at home and/or at work?

2.    James lays out the cure for selfishness in James 4:7-10. How do you go about submitting yourself to God? Describe a time when you were able to resist the devil. Why is it challenging to mourn over our sin? Share an example of when you had to eat humble pie. How did you feel after that experience of humbling yourself?

3.    James tells us not to slander one another because we are not the Judge and we are not the Lawgiver in James 4:11-12. The Greek word for slander is kataleleo which means “to speak against, to backbite, to gossip, to grumble against.” How can you be a more positive and encouraging believer? What are some practical ways that you can build others up?

4.    James 4 is challenges us to defeat our selfishness. How has the words of James challenged you in your spiritual journey? What will you do differently now that you have worked through this chapter?

As we continue to “live life together” and encourage those around us, let’s be a people that inspire others to follow Jesus!

Have a blessed week!

Pastor John Miller