Archives for July 2025

Book of James 

Chapter 1

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (1:22)

Rejoicing in Trials

James 1 enlightens us about the transformative power of faith, trials, wisdom, and true religion. It inspires us to embrace trials as a means of building character, seek wisdom from God, understand our temptations, and live out our faith through compassionate actions and moral living. As we navigate through our own trials and challenges, let’s remember to continually seek wisdom and understanding from the source of every good and perfect gift, our immutable God.

The Immutable God  (Verses 16-18)

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James admonishes not to be deceived. Every good and perfect gift comes from God, who does not change like shifting shadows. Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

True Religion  (Verses 19-27)

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James instructs quick listening, slow speaking, and slow anger, for human anger does not produce righteousness. He urges the shedding of moral filth and evil, and the acceptance of the word planted in us. He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word, but doing what it says. He defines pure religion as looking after orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1 is a compelling chapter that serves as the opening to the Book of James in the New Testament. It was written by James, the brother of Jesus, addressed to the twelve tribes scattered across the nations. This chapter calls for the cultivation of perseverance through trials, seeking wisdom from God, understanding and overcoming temptations, and practicing genuine faith. 

(https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/james/1.htm)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Book of James 

Chapter 1

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (1:22)

Rejoicing in Trials

James 1 enlightens us about the transformative power of faith, trials, wisdom, and true religion. It inspires us to embrace trials as a means of building character, seek wisdom from God, understand our temptations, and live out our faith through compassionate actions and moral living. As we navigate through our own trials and challenges, let’s remember to continually seek wisdom and understanding from the source of every good and perfect gift, our immutable God.

Contrast between the Rich and the Poor (Verses 9-11)

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

James speaks to the believers in humble circumstances, urging them to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their low position, as their wealth will fade away. He compares the rich man to a wildflower that withers under the scorching heat.

Understanding Temptation  (Verses 12-15)

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James blesses the man who perseveres under trial. Upon standing the test, that person will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. He clarifies that God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. People are tempted by their own evil desire, which leads to sin and, ultimately, to death.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Book of James 

Chapter 1

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (1:22)

Rejoicing in Trials

James 1 enlightens us about the transformative power of faith, trials, wisdom, and true religion. It inspires us to embrace trials as a means of building character, seek wisdom from God, understand our temptations, and live out our faith through compassionate actions and moral living. As we navigate through our own trials and challenges, let’s remember to continually seek wisdom and understanding from the source of every good and perfect gift, our immutable God.

Perseverance through Trials (Verses 1-4) 

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James, the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, starts by addressing the twelve tribes scattered abroad. He encourages them to consider it pure joy whenever they face trials of various kinds, as this testing of their faith develops perseverance. He asserts that perseverance must finish its work so that they may be mature, complete, and lacking nothing.

Asking for Wisdom  (Verses 5-8)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James guides those who lack wisdom to ask God, who gives generously to all. He instructs them to ask in faith, without doubt, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Contrast between the Rich and the Poor (Verses 9-11)

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

James speaks to the believers in humble circumstances, urging them to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their low position, as their wealth will fade away. He compares the rich man to a wildflower that withers under the scorching heat.

Understanding Temptation  (Verses 12-15)

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James blesses the man who perseveres under trial. Upon standing the test, that person will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. He clarifies that God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. People are tempted by their own evil desire, which leads to sin and, ultimately, to death.

The Immutable God  (Verses 16-18)

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James admonishes not to be deceived. Every good and perfect gift comes from God, who does not change like shifting shadows. Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

True Religion  (Verses 19-27)

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James instructs quick listening, slow speaking, and slow anger, for human anger does not produce righteousness. He urges the shedding of moral filth and evil, and the acceptance of the word planted in us. He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word, but doing what it says. He defines pure religion as looking after orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1 is a compelling chapter that serves as the opening to the Book of James in the New Testament. It was written by James, the brother of Jesus, addressed to the twelve tribes scattered across the nations. This chapter calls for the cultivation of perseverance through trials, seeking wisdom from God, understanding and overcoming temptations, and practicing genuine faith. 

(https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/james/1.htm)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Book of James 

Chapter 1

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (1:22)

Rejoicing in Trials

James 1 enlightens us about the transformative power of faith, trials, wisdom, and true religion. It inspires us to embrace trials as a means of building character, seek wisdom from God, understand our temptations, and live out our faith through compassionate actions and moral living. As we navigate through our own trials and challenges, let’s remember to continually seek wisdom and understanding from the source of every good and perfect gift, our immutable God.

Perseverance through Trials (Verses 1-4) 

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James, the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, starts by addressing the twelve tribes scattered abroad. He encourages them to consider it pure joy whenever they face trials of various kinds, as this testing of their faith develops perseverance. He asserts that perseverance must finish its work so that they may be mature, complete, and lacking nothing.

Asking for Wisdom  (Verses 5-8)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James guides those who lack wisdom to ask God, who gives generously to all. He instructs them to ask in faith, without doubt, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com