Episodes
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Steafast in God’s Will, James 4:13–5:6, Pam Larson 11.1.23
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Steadfast In God's Will, James 4:13–5:6
James exhorts us to live in light of our identity in Christ, as children of God, in God’s will, because life is short (4:13–17). And then, because eternity is long, James speaks of the coming judgment on unbelievers (5:1–6).
So don't prize prosperity/possessions over people or God. Prepare for the judgment to come. James’ purpose is to prevent believers from placing their hope in worldly wealth and to trust God for justice even though they are enduring oppression from the evil rich.
Trust in the sovereignty of God in your planning and finances, seeking to do the right thing in all your pursuits and treasuring Jesus in all of life!
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Steadfast in Relationship, James 4:1–12, Pam Larson 10.25.23
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Steadfast in Relationship, James 4:1–12
This week, in the center of a passage with so much sin and so many commands to repent, we saw the stunningly glorious good news of God’s grace. But he gives more grace (James 4:6).
The only cure for our broken and sick heart condition is the gospel! Sisters, run to our God of marvelous grace! Admit your need for God’s grace, draw near to him, humble yourself and be transformed. Look to Jesus for your example. True humility is only found in the gospel and turning to the One who humbled himself for us:
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name—Philippians 2:8–9.
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Missions, Ministry and Motherhood, Carmen Tomaszewski, MOMS 10.17.23
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
From serving on the mission field of South Africa to serving as the Nursery Coordinator and Reception at The North Church, God's steadfastness has been evident throughout all the seasons of motherhood and ministry in Carmen’s life. Hear her share her experiences of walking with the Lord and be inspired to go deeper into how He might have you minister right where you are.
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Steadfast in Wise Speech, James 3, Charisse Compton 10.18.23
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Steadfast in Wise Speech, James 3:1-18
James 3 challenges us to reject the double-mindedness that stunts our growth, sabotages our work, and poisons our words, by single-mindedly pursuing the pure wisdom of God from above (3:17). A double-minded, restless, and unstable (1:8, 3:8) woman looks back to the wisdom from below—whose source is the fire of Hell—and allows jealousy and selfish ambition (3:14,16) to flourish in her heart so that she seeks her own glory at the expense of others and sets herself up as God’s judge, grumbling about his gifts and accusing him of evil (1: 13).
But the pure wisdom of God has power to supplant the jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts with the meekness of wisdom, (3:13) so that we gradually grow up into the steadfast character of our God and Savior. Receiving this wisdom is easier than you might think! We have only to ask (1:5), and the God “who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all” will also graciously give us the wisdom we need to grow in our faith, to be fruitful in our works, and to overflow in a fountain of life-giving words (Romans 8:32).
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Steadfast Faith that Works, James 2:14–26, Charisse Compton 10.11.23
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Steadfast Faith that Works, James 2:14–26
A living faith works! It cannot do otherwise. That is the claim of James 2:14–26. And while James would have us evaluate our lives to see whether our faith is indeed a working one, he would also want us to know that in Jesus, God has made us his “friend.” Because of this new status as the “friend of God,” our work is redeemed! The fruitless works we performed before salvation, trying to prove our worth and value have, in Jesus, become the fruitful and treasured offerings of devotion to a God who redeemed us from those dead works to follow his Son. In Jesus, we find rest and joy as we lay down those dead works and exchange them for his easy yoke and light burden.
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Steadfast Love, James 2:1–13, Pam Larson 10.4.23
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Steadfast Love, James 2:1–13
The theme running throughout James 2 is that true biblical faith is living, not dead. It will be evidenced by love (verses 1–13) and by works (verses 14–26, next week’s lesson). Faith is not mere intellectual assent, but a heart of trusting and treasuring Jesus that overflows into loving action that reflects his character. True consistent biblical faith is evidenced by loving as God loves. Partiality is inconsistent with the example of Jesus, the grace of God, and the command to love.
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Steadfast: The Lord is Your Keeper, Charisse Compton, MOMS 10.3.23
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Steadfast: The Lord is Your Keeper
Charisse Compton
Psalm 121
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Steadfast Faith in Action, James 1:19–27, Amy Katterson 9.27.23
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
James 1:19–17 can be divided into 3 general points:
- 1:19–21 Be hearers (receive with meekness)
- 1:22–25 Be doers (persevere in obedience)
- 1:26–27 Be true (test your faith)
As those who have been granted new life through God’s implanted word, we are called to the active exercise of faith, particularly as we grow to reflect Christ’s self-controlled speech, merciful care, and purity of heart.
Remember, God is pleased to bless even our small, beginner steps of obedience! This week, perhaps you may spend some time praying for clarity and requesting input from a trusted friend about what faith in action might look like for you in these areas.
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Steadfast When Tempted: James 1:12–18, Pam Larson, 9.20.23
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Steadfast When Tempted, James 1:12–18
This week the focus is on God’s goodness in trials. In life’s journey through the “dark forests”, we are not confronted with lions, tigers, and bears BUT trials, testings and temptations. And OH MY, what a precious gift from God we have in the midst of these difficulties … Jesus and the promise of eternal life! We can be confident that our good God gives only good gifts! He is never changing and we are HIS, through His word-work in our lives. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11) Jesus is God’s supreme, best, “good and perfect” gift, sent from heaven for us, full of grace and truth! He is our ultimate example of steadfastness.
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Steadfast Through Trials: James 1:1–11, Pam Larson, 9.13.23
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Steadfast Through Trials: James 1:1–11
STEADFAST JOY IN TRIALS (vv.2–4) Jesus is faithful and steadfast when we walk through the storms of life. When we go through trials, we discover what kind of faith we really have. Trials reveal our faith, and they also strengthen our faith and Christ-like character.
STEADFAST FAITH IN PRAYER FOR WISDOM (5–8) We need God’s wisdom to understand God’s purpose and see His perspective on trials so that we might remain steadfast and mature to completeness. ASK for his wisdom! He does not find fault with us or demean us. What good news to have a God who does not give in that way! He gives kindly and generously, without reserve or hesitation, knowing we desperately need Him. He delights to supply us with all we need.
STEADFAST IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES (9–11) Only with God’s wisdom can we truly have his perspective on the momentary nature of riches and store up for ourselves real treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21). We can’t “count it all joy” when we encounter trials apart from the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. When a trial comes, is your first inclination to pray for wisdom to view trials in such a way? How many times have we read this admonition but failed to pray? Remember that he is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46) Run to Jesus in prayer!