A good and true Word for Today!
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2628d520/a-good-and-true-word-for-today-james-no23
Watch this teaching on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MOPSw7VC4
When someone asks me which is my favorite location to visit in Israel, I am hard pressed to choose one. However, the one that first comes to mind is Magdala, located on the Northwest shore of the beautiful fresh water lake that we call the Sea of Galilee.
Why Magdala? Is it the location, its proximity to the water, which has always soothed my soul, calmed my mind--whether ocean, flowing river or lake? No, but that is a bonus for sure. Rather it is the archaeological evidence unearthed several years ago that supports the gospel accounts that Jesus indeed taught in a synagogue in that area. Listen, prior to 2009, there was no evidence outside of the gospels that Jesus was physically there, but then in 2009, a first century synagogue was unearthed. (pictured below) And then in 2021, a second synagogue was excavated nearby. 2021, Friends! The truth of the Bible is literally being dug out of the ground regularly in our lifetime, and will continue to be so.
The location - the modern day town is Migdal. I first visited the site in February, 2018, when it was still a live dig. Why, I watched a guy near me reach down and grab a bit of potsherd from the hallowed ground! Yes, I have seen the excavation at Magdala with my own eyes, walked on the stones that connected Judaism and Christianity--where Jesus Christ went into the synagogue to teach. [The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Museum of the Bible hosts a scaled replica of the unearthed Magdala stone, a wonder to behold.]
So because the Bible is true, it is trustworthy. And as Jesus said,
'the truth will set us free',
so we turn our attention again to the intentional study of Scripture.
A few months ago, we opened James’ short but powerful letter and worked through his wise words to Jewish Christians scattered because of persecution in Jerusalem. We then stepped away from James to discuss the One who inspired his writing and also gave him what he needed for the leadership of the early church: the Holy Spirit of God. [16 Morning Briefings on the Holy Spirit: who or what? Tap 'Past Morning Briefings' tab above to read or listen to those]
Who was James, and why was he driven to write words of instruction and inspiration to the believers who had been dispersed?
History identifies James as the half-brother of Jesus,1 and though for much of his life he was an unbeliever—at best, a skeptic, all of that changed when he saw Jesus crucified--mercilessly killed—but then fully alive again. Convincing proof—one who defeated death? Without a doubt. **Someone who walks out of the grave ought get our full attention!
It sure got James' attention. And once convinced, he described himself as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”2 Hey, Friend, go get your Bible, locate the little book of James and read the five chapters, underlining what speaks to you today, or simply click to read or listen to the powerful little letter:
What are some of the takeaways from these first four chapters?
->When you are experiencing trials or storms in life, thank God because trials strengthen us as we trust God daily for his sustaining grace.3
->‘Want wisdom, need direction? Ask God. He will give it to you, for free.
*Ask God for wisdom daily, Friends. What a gift! Again – how do we access that wisdom? Through the leading of the Holy Spirit of God.4 I think of Isaiah’s words,
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘this is the way, walk in it.’ Isaiah 30.21
That voice? The Holy Spirit of God.
->And don't we all need this, “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger'? for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.”5
It is unlikely that James was present when Jesus taught the life-altering Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and yet he drills down on a number of the things Jesus taught in that series of lessons.
->Think rightly of yourself – love others well, not showing favoritism because of someone’s outward appearance.6
->Live like you believe; your life should reflect what it is you say you value.7
->Think before you speak; exercise self control, especially with what comes out of your mouth. This harkens back to James' earlier admonition: be quick to listen, slow to speak. How to control what comes out of your mouth? Be wise in what goes into your mind, what you allow yourself to think about. As Jesus said, ‘Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks!’8
->And that wisdom God promises to give us if we ask--what is it? James breaks it down, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.” 9
In chapter four, James reminds his readers to pray. Seems logical enough for the follower of Jesus, right? Not in my informal investigations on the matter! People do not create a space in their busy schedules for prayer. My morning prayer time is to my soul what a spa day would be for my body. (cannot even remember when I was last in a spa! But I digress…)
We, the overwhelmed world population of 2026, are distracted and anxious, harried, oft depressed, how we ought see fit to meet with the Maker of our souls first thing … before the day unfolds, before we have sinned the first time. James said it so succinctly, ‘You do not have because you do not ask.’ 10
Of course, there is so much more that can be gleaned from these four chapters of James, but these morsels are worthy of our consideration, meditation, and application.
James chapter five coming up.
After that, Jesus through the eyes of 'the disciple whom Jesus loved.'
Listen, "Meet Me in the Valley", Tasha Layton:
Grateful to be on the journey with you,
Christine
1 - Roman Catholics believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary, that she had no children with Joseph, not another child after Jesus the Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit; I do not believe this is accurate, since the gospels name his brothers and also reference sisters. helpful information: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-siblings.html
2 - James 1.1
3 - James 1.2-4
4 - James 1.5
5 - James 1.19-20
6 - James 2.1-13
7 - James 2.14-26
8 - Luke 6.45; Matthew 12.34
9 - James 3.17
10-James 4.2
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