Throughout Scripture, God warns us about the seductive power of money. Jesus likens it to a completing god and says our treasure becomes the focus of our heart (Matt. 6:21-24). Paul instructs Timothy, the young pastor in Ephesus, to warn people about the love of money and how the desire for more wealth has left people spiritually shattered (1 Tim. 6:10, 17).

In today’s passage, James describes the wealthy who live apart from God. Their demise is a grim encouragement to the poor Jewish believers being taken advantage of. And the demise of the godless rich serves as a stark warning to those who follow Jesus.

1. Is wealth a competing god?

2. Is your wealth causing you to be spiritually soft?

3. Have you ever had a serious conversation with God about your wealth? Why did he bless you with it? What does he want you to do with it?

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

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CAREGIVING

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GROWTH TRACK

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“If the Lord wills” is a bold statement of God’s Sovereignty.

“If the Lord wills” is a bold statement of determined obedience.

“If the Lord wills” is a bold statement of Christ-like humility.

Self-centered bragging must be replaced by God-honoring trust.

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

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CAREGIVING

Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.

GROWTH TRACK

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A humble heart desires to please God, which leads to obedience, exaltation, and lasting pleasure.

James 4:1-12, 1 Peter 5:5, Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 100:4, Psalm 24:1-2, Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 5:18-19

A proud heart desires to please oneself, which leads to disobedience, destruction, and fleeting pleasure.

James 4:1-12, James 3:16, Proverbs 21:17

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

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CAREGIVING

Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.

GROWTH TRACK

We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, biblechapel.org/connect.

Christians operating with wisdom from above…

James 3:13-18

fill their minds and hearts with the perfect Word of God.

James 3:17, 1 John 3:3

live whole, not fragmented lives for Christ.

James 3:17, Hebrews 12:11

are approachable and teachable.

James 3:17, Titus 3:2

demonstrate the mercy and righteousness of Christ to all.

James 3:17, Matthew 9:13, Ephesians 2:4-5, Philippians 1:11

foster unity, authenticity, and peace in the body of Christ.

James 3:17-18, Romans 12:9-10, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:3, Romans 5:1

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit biblechapel.org/devo.

CAREGIVING

Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.

GROWTH TRACK

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THE NATURE OF THE TONGUE

The tongue reveals the worship of one’s heart.

James 1:26, Matthew 15:18, James 3:1-2

The tongue has tremendous power.

James 3:3-5, Proverbs 16:28, Romans 16:18, 2 Timothy 2:23

The tongue by nature is evil.

James 3:6-8

THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE TONGUE

A maturing believer’s tongue becomes more consistently holy.

James 3:9-12, Matthew 12:34-35, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 141:3

A maturing believer’s tongue prioritizes confession, repentance and accountability.

James 5:16

A maturing believer’s tongue prioritizes encouraging others.

Ephesians 4:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit biblechapel.org/devo.

CAREGIVING

Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.

GROWTH TRACK

We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, biblechapel.org/connect.

How can we know for certain that we have saving faith?

1. Do I have a present trust in Christ for salvation?

“Believes” is in the present tense denoting continual action. Are you continuing to trust Jesus?

2. Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in your heart?

· Presence of the Spirit (Rom. 8:13-16)

· Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:13-23)

3. Do you read the Bible and pray regularly?

God’s Word is his love letter to you. A true believer desires to hear from him. I am not saying you should doubt your salvation if you have missed a few days. But if you never pick up the Bible? There needs to be a desire to hear from God.

4. Is there a pattern of obedience in your life?

5. Are you involved in Christian fellowship?

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit biblechapel.org/devo.

CAREGIVING

Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.

GROWTH TRACK

We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, biblechapel.org/connect.

Showing partiality based on outward appearance will always be a temptation for believers. In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel was a godly and courageous man willing to speak the Word of God in the most unpopular and sometimes dangerous circumstances. But Israel rejected the old prophet and desired to have a king like the other nations. The first king they chose was impressive in appearance—a big man with a shriveled heart. Finally, God rejected him.

God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to find a man named Jesse. One of Jesse’s sons would be the next king. Jesse brought his sons before Samuel.

1 Samuel 16:6-7

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

We are impressed by outward appearance. God is impressed with our hearts.

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit biblechapel.org/devo.

CAREGIVING

Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.

GROWTH TRACK

We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, biblechapel.org/connect.

Doers of the Word are Gospel-centered.

James 1:19-21, 1 Peter 1:23-25

Doers of the Word understand freedom and blessing are found in obedience.

James 1:22-25, John 8:31-32, 1 Peter 4:13-14

Doers of the Word operate with the character, words, and actions of Christ.

James 1:26-27

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE

Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit biblechapel.org/devo.

CAREGIVING

Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.

GROWTH TRACK

We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, biblechapel.org/connect.