Now James condemns the rich who have horded wealth, failed to pay workmen wages, lived in luxury and self-indulgence and condemned and murdered innocent men. But be patient in suffering, he says: "Be patient and stand firm... don't grumble or you will be judged... and have the perseverance of Job... and don't swear by anything but let your yes be yes and your no be no... when in trouble pray... when happy praise... if you're sick call the elders to pray for you and anoint you with oil... confess sins and pray for each other... for the power of a righteous man is powerful and effective... Elijah was a man like us yet his prayers controlled the rain... and remember that whoever turns a sinner from error will save him and cover a multitude of sins".
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
James 4 (résumé): Submit yourself to God
James now discusses humility and submission to God by the Christian: "Don't fight for things you want... because you don't have because you didn't ask God... or asked with wrong motives... for friendship with the world is hatred towards God... but God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble... so submit yourself to God and resist the devil... come near to God and he will come near to you... humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up... and don't slander one another... and don't be presumptuous but always say if it is the Lord's will we will do this or that".
James 3 (résumé): Taming the Tongue
James now says: "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts... as a horse is controlled by a bit or a ship by a rudder, and a forest fire starts with a spark... so the small tongue has potential for fire and devastation... but no man can tame the tongue which is evil and poisonous... and out of the same mouth come praise and cursing... and this should not be... who is wise let him show it by deeds done in humility... and not by envy and selfish ambition... for the wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace loving, impartial and sincere... for peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness".
James 2 (résumé): Faith & Deeds
James starts chapter 2 condemning discrimination of the poor and the show of favouritism to the rich and well dressed. "Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom?... love your neighbour as yourself... but if you show favouritism you sin... and mercy triumphs over judgement... for what good is it if someone brags about faith but doesn't practice it?... for faith not accompanied by action is dead... Abraham's faith and actions were shown together when he offered his son Isaac on the altar... Abraham believed God and it was credited to him for righteousness... so you can see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone... the same is the case with Rahab the prostitute who lodged the spies and sent them off in a different direction... so faith without deeds is dead".
James 1 (résumé): Trials & Temptations
The Book of James is a message of practical Christianity talking about how to live out the faith, not just saying it but doing it too! James starts in chapter 1: "Consider it pure joy when you face trials because it develops perseverance and maturity... and ask God for wisdom if you lack it... blessed is the man who perseveres under trial... because he will receive the crown of life from God... and don't be deceived because every good and perfect gift is from above... and everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger... get rid of all moral filth... and don't just listen to the word but do what is says... but the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom... and does it... will be blessed... and if anyone considers himself religious but doesn't control his tongue then his religion is worthless... for religion that God accepts is looking after orphans and widows... and keeping oneself from the world's pollution".
An Anchor
"We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure when the billows roll". (Based on Hebrew 6:19) Praise God for our anchor of hope and security in Christ!
Yesterday we went to Eleni's funeral who died on Sunday. Eleni was Biba's mother, Sacha's mother-in-law and Alice and Beatriz's grandmother. It was a Roman Catholic funeral but I was asked to pray at the end. Please pray for the family at this time.
I heard the bright yellow Great Kiskadees singing at first light this morning.
The lads at our church at Juru always form a good football team every year under the leadership of local pastor Esequias (Ezekiel) and they compete in the regional cup. This year they finished runners up in the final as they lost on penalties after a 0 x 0 draw. Well done boys!
The local leadership of our Teixeira church has just ministered communion to one of our sisters there who is bed ridden and sent me videos of the visit with the sister overjoyed and blessed.
I finished the Book of Hebrews last night so that leaves me 8 books to go having completed writing the summary of 96% of the Bible. James here we come!
Monday, 12 October 2026
Hebrews 13 (résumé): Concluding exhortations
Hebrews 13 concludes the book telling the Christians practical ways in which they should live out their faith: "Keep on loving each others as brothers... don't forget to entertain strangers because they might be angels... remember those in prison... and remember those suffering ill-treatment... marriage should be honoured, the marriage bed kept pure, and God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral... don't love money and be content with what you have... God will never leave you or forsake you... for the Lord is my helper so I will not fear... remember your leaders and imitate their faith... Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever... steer clear of strange teaching... and may your hearts be strengthened by grace... here we don't have an enduring city but are looking for one that is to come... and through Jesus offer a sacrifice of praise... and don't forget to do good and to share with others... obey your leaders... they keep watch over you and must give an account... pray for us... and may the God of peace... the great shepherd of the sheep... equip you with every good thing... Timothy has been released... those from Italy send you their greetings... Grace be with you all".