James Chapter 1 Reflection (Siobhan)

Throughout the whole chapter, I felt God speaking to me in many different ways. In
some of the scriptures, I felt God trying to interact with me and help me build a
stronger foundation and a better future. The chapter James really focuses on the truth
and motivates me to act upon what He taught us. I’ve learnt that in order to grow on
our spiritual walk with God, we can’t rely only on knowledge from the Word. James
wants us to prove ourselves and test our faith, putting our words into actions.

James has helped me learn and put in perspective many new ways to think that I’ve
never considered before. One of the things I’ve realized from studying the chapter was
that everyone will be tempted throughout their lives. One way I can apply this
knowledge to my life is remembering that when we do go through these trials or hard
times, we have to remember that there's a reason, to learn and produce perseverance.
I have to be joyful through these tough times because I know it is a testing of my faith.
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.”

God does not tempt us, but only the devil and us. And if my religion is true, I won’t be
deceived by riches or belongings that fade but instead, I won’t indulge into my desires
because with desire gives birth to sin and sin brings death (spiritually and physically).
Another thing I’ve come to realize is that if I lack wisdom, I can always ask God for
help, as long as I have the right mindset and that I ask in total faith.

Lastly, James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should
be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. If I were to say I’m a
Christian, but I still don’t control what I say or do, then everything that I’ve said was
done in vain. For listening to the Word of God without the right actions, develops
nothing. God wants us to show outward acts of religion. He challenges followers not to
“talk the talk” but “walk the walk.” I can apply this to my life by praising the Father
and helping the poor e.g. giving to the needy or public acts of worshipping and helping
the Lord. However, God does not want my praise to live for the world; he wants my full
heart, mind, and soul into what I believe and do, not to act for recognition or
applause.
 James Chapter 2 Reflection (Erica)
While reading this chapter in James, there was a lot of advice and life lessons that
stood out to me, which was that I shouldn’t look at someone and be disgusted of their
appearance and how poor they are, or praise someone and look up to them if they
were pretty and wealthy.

In James, it says that god doesn’t favor people, he proved it to us when he died on the
cross for everyone’s sins, he didn’t die for just a few people, he died for all of us. This
chapter showed me that faith alone isn’t the definition of being Christian. In my
opinion, you obviously need faith to be Christian, but having faith isn’t the whole
package. It says in James 2:17 that faith without action is dead. I believe that this
means that we should also be doing things the way God would want them done while
having the Christian attitude.

It says in James 2:5 “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not god chosen those
who are poor in the eyes of the world to be with rich in faith and to inherit the
kingdom He promised those who love him?” This scripture showed me that God
doesn’t judge people the way that I would judge someone. I realized that God judges
from how rich we are in faith not how rich we are in money and wealth.

This chapter if very helpful to me because I’m normally surrounded by very successful
people who are good at everything, and it makes me want to be exactly like them and
to have all the things they have in life. This chapter taught me that in the end of all
this, doesn’t matter how talented I am, it matters how rich in faith I am because
people who are rich in faith and accompanies it with deeds and actions are people that
God choses to be with Him in His kingdom.

To be able to accomplish the things that I have learned through this chapter I need to
stop judging people, and instead to judge my faith and my actions. I also need to
develop a stronger faith in Jesus by acting like Him and constantly asking myself
“what would Jesus do?” Which is to love everyone as myself as it says in James 2:8
“Love you neighbor as yourself.”
 James Chapter 3 Reflection (Marissa)
The scripture that stood out for me in James 3 is verse 17 “But the wisdom that
comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full
of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”.

In the verse God is saying to me that the wisdom that comes from heaven (God) is
different than the wisdom that comes from man. Godly wisdom is everything that i can
use to help me live my life the way Jesus did. I know that God lead me to this verse
because I have been lacking in my faith for God, also that wisdom will be put in my
heart so that I can make better decisions for myself.

This verse is important to me at this time in my life because, with everything that I
have been through it tells me that God there for me and he will give me wisdom when I
need it to make better decisions. When it come to a time in my life and I need some
wisdom I will know that God is in my heart, that He will help me and that His wisdom
is what I need to Help me.

From this verse I have learned to stay calm and relaxed when dealing with my mom. I
can apply this verse in my life by, having the wisdom of God help me to not get
annoyed and frustrated with my mom when I am talking to her. I believe that if God’s
wisdom is in my heart I will accomplish many things.
 James Chapter 5 Reflection (Danae)
The book of James spook to me in many ways, especially James 5, and I want to
share what it spoke to me with you. The main verse I chose that stood out to me was
James 5:11. This verse declares, “As you know, we count as blessed those who have
persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally
brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” To me, God is saying that
blessed isn’t an earthly thing. You can’t possess it or become awarded with it by
receiving riches and material things. Blessed comes your soul. If you persevere with no
complaints and trust in God to bring you through all the trials in life, you will be
blessed with Gods compassion, mercy and most importantly, love. God wants everyone
to have his love and to receive the privilege of being blessed. So, the main aspect we
need to become blessed is trust.

As well as knowing God’s vision for this verse, I find it to be very influential to me in
this time of my life. I know that I often doubt God and I do often think that he will
never pull me through my tough days and that I am all alone. This verse shows me
that those thoughts are not the case. God wants to bless me with all his love every day
of my life, and I’m so glad to have this verse to reassure me. Many people think that
God has to make the first move and bless you so that you can believe in him. I now
can see that I have to move first and trust God wholeheartedly because that is how I
can receive his undying love, which is more than the world can give me.

Another verse that really stood out to me was James 5: 13, and it says, “Is anyone
among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of
praise.” This verse truly showed me the power of prayer. After I sat and thought about
it for a minute, I realized that God was trying to communicate with me by telling me
that prayer is such an evangelical thing. Of course he wants us to use it for our own
relationship, but also to show others our faith, and how we can be unique. Prayer is
strong, powerful, and absolutely amazing, and if people see us praying, they could
potentially see something different in us that they haven’t seen before.

To sum up this chapter, I would say that God wants us to forget about all the worldly
things that trap us, but to remember his blessings all the time. God wants us to trust
him, and after this reassurance, I know that I can.
 Conclusions
Siobhan’s Conclusion: From reading and studying the book of James, I’ve learnt to
appreciate the values of enduring trials, understanding how sin develops, temptations
results in separation from God, and the importance of testing our faith and practicing
our religion.

Danae’s Conclusion: After I have read and learned from this amazing book, I have learnt
many things. I have learned that to fulfill my life, I need to persevere with God’s plans
for me, that wisdom comes only from God, as well as that God should be first in my
life, and lastly, that prayer is the best way to show your faith in Jesus Christ.

Erica’s Conclusion: In conclusion, I’ve learned that judging people is not the way to go
because God wouldn’t want that from us. God wants us to treat everyone equally and
fair. I’ve also learned to constantly think twice before I say or do something.
James
- The Book of Humility -