James – The Arnold Journey

The Point of the Point

James 2:16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and they completely miss the point you are trying to make? They seem to be tracking you, andContinue reading “The Point of the Point”

James 2:26 Living Faith

James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Have you met people who just seem dead on the inside, lacking purpose, love or seemingly life itself? You look in their eyes and they seem empty. When you talk with them it is as though they were aContinue reading “James 2:26 Living Faith”

Pesky Emotions – James 5:13

James 5:13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. There is a segment of our population who have trouble expressing a full range of emotions. Most have anger hands down! But there are whole menus of emotions that they just don’t access. They endContinue reading “Pesky Emotions – James 5:13”

Wash Up – James 4:8

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Ballroom dancing is beautiful thing to watch when it is done well. Two people, interlocked in a rhythmic motion, timed to music. But it is much more than that. When itContinue reading “Wash Up – James 4:8”

Myopic – James 3:16

James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Where “self” rules, things tend to spin out of control. This happens for individuals and groups. When people are too focused on themselves, they miss the clues from outside sources that their direction is ill advised. TheyContinue reading “Myopic – James 3:16”

Mercy! – James 2:12-13

James 2:12-13 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. There is so much finger pointing and blame shifting that fills the news cycle these days. SoContinue reading “Mercy! – James 2:12-13”

Mature – James 1:4

James 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. We are a culture of quick results. We click and the order is on the way. We drive thru instead of sitting down to eat. We honk our horns when someone delays their start when the lightContinue reading “Mature – James 1:4”

Definitions

James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. I can imagine a time in the near future when college and universities will offer courses in “Ballot Box Manipulation.” It could be a real boost to the candidates who want to use thisContinue reading “Definitions”

Difficulties Can Be Good?

James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Most of us just want to return to our previous comfortable way of life. This is certainly true during this COVID year. We all want toContinue reading “Difficulties Can Be Good?”

New Beginnings

The message of Jesus is about new beginnings. It begins belief and gets put into action with repentance, which literally means to turn around and go in the opposite direction. So what must we believe in order to start the journey? We must believe God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. WeContinue reading “New Beginnings”