Rachel

I have enjoyed this online Bible study. Oddly enough, it came at a time when I had just finished reading the Book of James. The study enabled me to look at issues which otherwise I might not have considered. Your commentaries have done much to enlighten me. The questions asked were relevant and practical. Although I did not post on the site at all times, it was also good to read the views of others who were doing the study. Their input had a positive influence on my thinking, as well. Doing the study was a good way of ensuring that I was constantly meditating on the Word of God, and that is so important. There were times, like in Lesson 8, when I could personally identify with the topics which were discussed. This helped me to get a newer perspective on the workings of faith. At the moment, I have no suggesstions for change. In conclusion, I would encourage you Dr. Wilson to continue this Ministry to which God has called you. It is my prayer that He will increase your wisdom and understanding to enhance your interpretation of His Word, by which many lives are being positively impacted and faiths strengthened. May God bless all of you reading this.

Our purpose as followers of Christ is to seek and to save those who are lost, hence the Great Commission. If we can bring back to the fold that one person who has gone astray, we would be demonstrating our trust and faith in God's redeeming love. God's Word indicates, 'that it is not His wish that any of us should perish, but that all should have eternal life.' Therefore, in rescuing a fallen brother/or sister, we would not only be achieving what God wants us to do, but we would also be following the pattern by which Jesus lived and wants us to emulate.

The oil is symbolic. The oil has no healing powers but God can work through anything and anyone. When we pray, unless we believe that what we ask for will be granted by God, then our prayer will be to no avail. Praying in faith, then, is important for us to get results from God. Confessing one's sins frees up one's heart and mind to receive God's forgiveness in Christ. When we are not burdened by sin, then the channels through which our healing will flow become unclogged and we can then better receive that healing. We are also better able to concentrate on developing our faith which is very important in the healing process.

The elder's role is that of facilitator or initiator. The elder should be one who demonstrates stong faith in God.

Our grumbling and impatience speak volumes about the depths of our faith in God. It is a sign that we need to trust God more and to ask Him to help us to build our faith in Him. It also shows that we have become impatient with the ways of God, and that our minds are more focused on living our lives for instant gratification instead of having a deliberate, long and fulfilling walk with God. God's promises to us are not always immediate, but while we wait for their fulfillment, He is there giving us the support and the strength which we need to go through the challenges which we will encounter. I know that patience and waiting on God is the surest way of getting to know, as well as, growing our trust in the One who is our Creator. It is in this time of waiting that we discover the truth in these comforting and promising words to be found in Isaiah 41: 3: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" Let us, therefore, at all times be of good courage and wait on the Lord.

When we lack the patience to await Christ's return, we cease doing the things that are necessary in our walk with God. It means that we start to doubt God's words and His promises. As Christians we can also throw others off and cause them too to begin to doubt the truth of God's words. Patience is vital in our relationship with God and with one another. The christian life is characterised by patience.

The demand for comfort and luxury and the acquisition of them often gives one a false sense of well-being. That person oftentimes becomes insensitive and oblivious to the needs of society. Persons who are materialistic and seek after great wealth tend also to feel that they can rely on themselves to achieve their goals, instead of having a reliance on the goodness of God. In our demand for cheap goods, we forget that the persons who work in the factories to produce them are usually paid very low wages. Some of these wages make it difiicult for those persons to even eke out a living for their family. In most cases, children are involved. We have to be careful both as consumers and producers of these goods that our selfishness and desire for these goods are not negatively impacting the lives of those who work long hours to produce them. God requires that we be fair in our dealing with and be mindful of the plight of thers. It wpuld do well for us to take note of Jesus' words: "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you." It is as we are mindful and considerate of the other person that, we truly begin to live out the second commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

James is warning us about the sin of arrogance. If we truly know God, then we know that we can depend on him for everything. All our plans, therfore should be entrusted to Him. "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct our path," should be foremost in our minds whenever we formalise our plans. God is able and He will always give good gifts to his children. If we always ask that God's will be done in our lives, then we will never be led astray or become disappointed. His ways are always right and His timing is perfect.

Selfishness and envy is not of God and cannot abide in the same space with humility. Some of the qualities of a humble heart are love, joy, peace, and contentment. Jesus was all about humility. As our example, unless we humble ourselves we will not be 'exalted.' Selfishness and envy concentrate only on personal selfish ambitons and do not seek the good of the other person. If a person is selfish or envious, then that person should humbly admit and confess these faults to God, asking for forgiveness. Only then will healing take place. A person who boasts about his/her selfishness and envy, is demonstrating a certain level of comfort with that condition; and will remain in that state, as he/she has not yet accepted the fact that a change of heart is needed in order to live a life that pleases God and is in keeping with His Word..

The tongue is untamable because we use it to speak both good and evil. At times it becomes so restless and uncontrollable that it gets us into big trouble, and we hurt the lives of others. It is true that the content of the heart determines how we speak. Thinking on those things which are true, noble, right, pure, admirable, lovely, excellent and praiseworthy put us in good stead to have a pure heart. Then we will be able to concentrate on good instead of evil. From this we will also develop the "fruit of the Spirit" which will enables us to speak well of, and do good to others. We should also ask God to set a watch over our mouths.

A teacher/preacher has to be careful in the message that he conveys to his hearers. Congregations usually hold to that which their minister preaches, so at all times, the words of the preacher should have their origin in the Word of God. It is important that their lives reflect that which they proclaim as the standards for others to follow. But, it is important to note that as preachers or teachers, errors will be made as no one is perfect. The Holy Spirit will help to guide us into all truth. The preacher is no more responsible before God than we are, as each person has to give an account to God for his/her stewardship.

In denying anyone of mercy, because of their position, we are being judgemental and not merciful. In the Beatitudes Jesus tells us that the "merciful will obtain mercy." One of the actions God condemns in us is that of being judgemental. But one of God's requirement of us is that we should 'love mercy.' Mercy triumphs over judgement in that in being merciful we are demonstrating God's love in us. We should always remember that it is through God's grace and mercy, in Christ Jesus, that we are heirs of eternal life. By his death and resurrection, we have gained the victory. It stands to reason, therefore, that as we everyday receive mercy from God's hands, we should show mercy to others. Mercy is a powerful condition of the heart - a purifying and redeeming agent. It works both ways. In showing mercy, we also receive mercy. It is a win win situation, my friends . Thanks be to God!

Showing preference of one person over another because of appearances, friendships or status is wrong in the sight of God. In God's eyes we are all equal, and His word tells us that we should judge not so that we are also not judged. This practice is evil because through favouritsim some persons are held back and not allowed to achieve their full potential or to realise their goals.

As we begin to understand that "God is love", we should try to base our attitudes and our relations towards others on that fact. It is also true that Jesus "did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." As christians, it is sometimes difficult not to discriminate, but always as redeemed children of God , the Holy Spirit reminds us that we are alll members of the household of God. Part of my ministry is that of Outreach, so I have come to love and accept those who might be less fortunate. Through prayer, I strive to develop that mind which is in Christ towards my sisters and brothers. It is not always easy, I will admit. It takes love, patience, tolerance and the awareness that 'if we do not love the one whom we see then we cannot love God whom we do not see. Also, we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Jesus commanded us to love our neiighbour as ourselves - the second commandment It is not important to impress people. God judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart and we really cannot fool him. Ultimately, God is the final judge of our actions. It really, therefore, is a waste of time to try to impress others. My aim is to please God and not man. Daily we should ask the Holy Spirit to fill us us and give us the power to love those who to us seem unlovable.

The tongue , if left unchecked can cause untold distress to others. We, therefore, need to keep a guard on our tongue, and be mindful of the feelings of others when we speak, especially if it is by way of putting others down, or criticising their actions. When we allow the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts, then He gives us self-control enabling us to say things to others which will please God. Jesus was always looking out for those who were victimized, or unloved. In the same way, He has called us to love our brothers as ourselves. When we obey, we are fulfilling His Word . Also, when we give to the orphans and widows, we have litttle chance of getting in return. We then experience the true effect of what His Word states "that it is more blessed to give than to receive."

Studying the word and acting on it go hand in hand. God speaks to us through His word, so it is important for us to listen and apply His Word to our everyday liivng. Anyone who does not do that is only deceiving himself and depriving himself of God's blessings. He or she cannot be a true witness for God.

The word of truth is the map by which we can guide our lives. Through dependence on the Holy Spirit, and by faithful study and obedience to the Word, we become spiritually renewed. "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubled-edged sword; it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) The life-giving quality as well as the thoroughness and effectiveness of God's Word purges the person who studies it and that person becomes spiritually alive in Christ Jesus.

Trials have helped me to estaablish a closer relationship with God. Through trials I have discovered the limitless expanse of the love of God who is always faithful. I am convinced that God uses trials to allows us to grow closer to Him and to become who He wants us to be. It is while undergoing trials that I have been able seek God with all my heart and to find God .