You can know peace, have strength and the power to execute! James, no.22
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Buckle up.
Welcome, new friends! We are in the middle of the practical, profound letter called the book of James. Climb aboard!
Hmmm, could we talk a little more about James, the man? When I am writing, I regularly have one eye cast toward this man who penned the words of this powerful little letter. One of the things I have concluded about him is that
James must have loved Jesus greatly . . .
why else would he identify himself as a 'servant of Jesus', his half brother?1 As I was driving down a heavily-forested road the other day thinking about James, it hit me--I feel kinda sad for the man, our brother. Think of it, James grew up with Jesus, the oldest of the children born to Mary and Joseph... 2, 3 but since he did not believe Jesus was the Messiah until he saw Him after the resurrection, there were few opportunities for James to realize that love while Jesus was alive.
Hmmm... and so I wonder if James' friends ever found him staring off into space remembering Jesus when they were young, thinking back about childhood days, teen-aged years when they traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem, as they were learning their father's trade, climbing the hills around beautiful, little Nazareth.**
James wrote this letter (between A.D. 45 and 62), confident that Jesus was the Christ, the Savior of the world. He wrote to help others to grow up in their faith, both near and far. It was his love for Jesus, his strong convictions, and his leadership in the Jerusalem church, that compelled him to write, but
there was one more big driving Force.
James was in the Upper Room in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came with power.4 There was movement in the air--Luke described a wind and visible tongues of fire.5 But most importantly, there was a supernatural change in the hearts of all who were present. From that moment forward, devoted followers of Jesus Christ had the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. That was James. Not only did he write this letter with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit----
brief segue: When reading Scripture, we ought to take the time to find out:
-Who wrote what we are reading?
-Approximately when? (then we can do our own research about the cultural setting, what was happening)
-Why did they write? especially considering the ancient culture in which they wrote. The writers had a purpose. Goodness gracious, it isn't as though they could open their laptops, read various translations or commentaries on the Bible. Heck, New Testament writers were not able to open their own copies of the scriptures (Old Testament only, of course). Writing took a lot of work; it was a huge commitment!
SO...Not only did James write this letter with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit----
but he led the early church as a spirit-filled man. hmmm...talking about identity! I'm just askin' - are you a Spirit-filled individual?
Did you take a minute to consider how you identify yourself when someone asks? The Morning Briefing author made a pretty good case for our Creator being the One to inform our thinking on who we are, who we are meant to be... [link to read or listen to this very well received teaching: https://conta.cc/4y7VaF7] . . . accordingly, as Christians, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Ponder that.
--->What difference does it make for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God?
'Okay, now you lost me. Christine, this James study has been practical and pretty easy to understand, bite by bite. But 'Spirit filled'? Come on.' Okay, I hear you, Brother. Step a little closer.
In my conversations with people over the decades, the least understood member of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. So before we crack James chapter 5, let's drill down on this all-important Subject. Second to recognizing Jesus as our Savior and endeavoring to following him, we must desire to know the Holy Spirit, and be filled with his transforming power.
So, who is the Holy Spirit, or is it What?
Nearly 2/3 of American Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is a force to be wielded.6 Could they be correct? No, and let me think..... uh, no.
Come with me, back to Passover night in Jerusalem, the night before Jesus was crucified. Eleven7 men reclined at the table with Jesus, as he looks at them, tells them,
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper,
so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him;
but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you."8
Keeping it real: So what does this mean, practically speaking?
Check it out. Yesterday, I had the privilege of praying for two people--one in person, the other over the phone and 3000 miles. What does our understanding of the Holy Spirit have to do with them...with you, and with your daily life?
Melinda had texted me about her desire to lose weight...food had been her comfort since the great heartache of losing her mother; she no longer wants to be under its control, desiring to lose weight, and take care of her body (she's young!) Almost instantly, I asked if I could meet with her and briefly pray, even anointing her with oil. And so I did, we did. Included in my prayer over her, I asked that the Holy Spirit would be her comfort, the very presence and strength she needs daily.
**Listen to me:The Holy Spirit is a difference maker.
And then there was Daniel, scheduled for a biopsy to determine prostate cancer. He admitted the anxiety and fear, along with his precious wife. As I prayed, I asked that the Holy Spirit of God who dwells in both of them would give them the strength and peace they need, reminding them that, as Paul told us, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us!9
May I now offer a prayer for you to pray, dear friend?
->"Holy Spirit, divine Guide and Comforter, will you make your presence known in my life today? Open my heart and quiet my mind so that I recognize your gentle nudges, so that I will listen to your leading.
When I face confusion, would you bring your truth, be my Counselor and grant me your wisdom--the very wisdom James described as pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.10 When I feel weak or weary, be my Comforter and fill me with Your peace, O God. Teach me how to walk in step with You and bear the fruit of your love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control11 in every encounter I have today.
Would you remind me that my body is your home? hmmm...
Empower me to let go of my own limited understanding and surrender my will to yours. Transform the way I think, and
give me the boldness to live out the purposes you have for me.
In the loving and power name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen"
My friend, you do not go into this day alone.
The Holy Spirit is with you and in you.
Christine
James, no.22
The Holy Spirit: Who or What? #1
1 - James 1.1
2 - brothers and sisters of Jesus, scripture: Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6.3
3 - The Roman Catholic Church disputes Jesus having a brother, holding the stance that Mary was a virgin all her life, referred to as the Perpetual Virginity of Mary (a very interesting study, by the way)
4 - Acts 1.14
5 - Acts 2.1-4
6 - The Familiar Stranger, Tyler Staton, 2025, p. 10
7 - Judas had already left the table, John 13.30
8 - John 14.16-17
9 - Romans 8.11
10 - James 3.17
11 - the fruit of the Holy Spirit, evidence of his power in our lives: Galatians 5.22-23
For a second day with this Morning Briefing, tap the link, then scroll down for each scripture. Three Bible translations - for your rich inspiration:
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