The North Church Women

Steadfast in Suffering, James 5:7–12, Amy Katterson 11.8.23

Steadfast in Suffering, James 5:7–12

Life in this world, life after the “great catastrophe” of sin is hard. Will it always be this way? How do we remain steadfast? 

This week’s text, James 5:7–12, gives us a theme or banner for a faith-filled life in a broken world: patience. What does patient fortitude look like in your situation?

• Clinging to the promises of God in the middle of the “invisible” season of waiting. 
• Establishing your heart to follow Christ and to do whatever the will of God holds for you.
• Calling to mind and living in light of the soon return of the Lord Christ. 
• Humbly repenting of a grumbling heart and seeking to point out evidences of grace in one another instead. 
• Following in the footsteps of other patient and hope-filled believers and running with perseverance the race that is set before us. (Find a treasure trove of audio messages sharing such stories here: Biography Messages by John Piper)
• Trusting the merciful, compassionate purposes of God even when you don’t understand.
• Being a woman of your word and trusting God for the outcome.

We press on in patient fortitude, knowing that “when [we] have stood the test, [we] will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). May the Lord find us and keep us faithful.

Turning from Fear to Love, Kïrsten Christianson, MOMS 11.7.23

Turning From Fear to Love

Fear can trip us in so many ways: fear of being left out, fear that we are wrecking our kids, fear that our sin is more powerful than Christ’s blood… “God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound/self-controlled mind” (2 Timothy 1:7) Let’s look at how fearing the Lord helps us to fear not and instead “do all things in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Steafast in God’s Will, James 4:13–5:6, Pam Larson 11.1.23

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!

Steadfast in Relationship, James 4:1–12, Pam Larson 10.25.23

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.

Missions, Ministry and Motherhood, Carmen Tomaszewski, MOMS 10.17.23

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.

Steadfast in Wise Speech, James 3, Charisse Compton 10.18.23

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).

Steadfast Faith that Works, James 2:14–26, Charisse Compton 10.11.23

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.

Steadfast Love, James 2:1–13, Pam Larson 10.4.23

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.

Steadfast: The Lord is Your Keeper, Charisse Compton, MOMS 10.3.23

Steadfast: The Lord is Your Keeper

Charisse Compton

Psalm 121

 

 

Steadfast Faith in Action, James 1:19–27, Amy Katterson 9.27.23

 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.