Common Sense Conversations

When we look at our life, who is really in control? Am I or God? One way that we know is looking at our schedule. James is going to talk about this in the passage we are looking at today.

We live in a day and time where everyone seems to have their day, week, and lives planned out. Does the Bible talk about whether this is a good thing or is it something that can be harmful? That’s what we will dive into today.

How you live your life as a Christ follower will show what kind of Father you see God as. Do you live by rules, do’s and don’t’s, failures and defeat? Or do you see Him as a Father full of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness?

James tells us that in order to resist temptation and our selfish pride, we must learn to submit and surrender to God. But what does that mean and how do I do that?

I think many people today struggle with idolatry and don’t realize it. The problem is we don’t have a clear picture of what idolatry is. One way to know if you struggle is with your prayer life. James will show us that in today’s passage.

When we go to God in prayer, what’s our motives, desires, and intentions behind what we are saying and asking? Do they align more with my wants and desires or with His? Does this really make a difference?

Do you spend more time pursuing things or abiding in Jesus? Satan will make us think we need to pursue things, even pursue Jesus. But what we find in Scripture is that we are to abide. What difference does abiding verses pursuing bring? That’s what this podcast dives into.

Is Jesus really enough for you to be content or do you need Jesus plus something. Do you find yourself saying if I just had more money, more status, more whatever I’d be content? That’s what this podcast talks about.

James is going to make us confront the problem that causes fights and quarrels in our lives. We can often and do often blame other people, but the real problem lies within us.

James gets very detailed describing the difference between earthly wisdom and Godly wisdom. We can look at our lives and be able to see quickly which we are being led by.

There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge. One provides contentment and one can cause boasting, envy, jealousy, and selfish ambition. This podcast will discuss the difference.

James gives some illustrations showing that our fruit will show our roots. Too many people are Christian and not Christ-followers. What does that mean? That’s what this podcast discusses.

Do you know people who seem to bless God one moment then be judgmental of people the next? I think we all do. But have you thought if that describes you? That’s what today’s podcast looks at.

How can something that is considered untamable be tamed? That’s what this podcast will look at when James is talking about the tongue.

James will show how that our tongue does more damage to us than to others. We often think our words do damage to others, and they do, but our tongue through pride can do significant damage to our own lives.

James begins a section that will discuss the power of the tongue. In this podcast we look at how much our words matter when we communicate, especially in teaching and preaching. We look at using the Word as a hammer and also how many use their words to manipulate people to make a spiritual decision.

In James chapter 3, he is now going to move into controlling the tongue. He starts with looking at those put into positions of teaching. Too often we just put in warm bodies to fill positions within the church rather than making sure they are called and qualified.

Is Jesus enough? Or do you need the things Jesus can give? This is the question that we dive into today concerning faith and works from James.

In this passage James gives us an illustration to show the difference between a belief faith [intellectual] and a faith that works. He will even show that demons believe, but they aren’t saved. So the question is this: does the way you live your life daily show you have a saving faith that works?

If you were to go to a court of law and be accused of being a Christ follower, is there enough evidence to find you guilty? As we look in James 2:14, James is going to show that works do not save us, but works show we are saved.

That’s a tough question. Even more important, if showing favoritism is a sin, do I do it in my life and does the church I serve in do it? These are questions that James dealt with in the early church and we are still dealing with today.

Do you have personal preferences that you put off on other people? Do you show favoritism? Does your church? Are we even aware that we show favoritism or make people live up to our personal preferences? Unfortunately this defines too many people in the church and churches overall. Do we realize that we repel people by being this way? That’s what this podcast will dive into today.

James, in the last verse of chapter 1, tells us what it really means to be a biblical Christian. This dispels what we see today in our culture about what people believe to be a Christian. There’s a big difference in claiming to be a Christian and what it means to be a Christ follower. That’s what this podcast will discuss.

We live in a day and time where people think they can claim to be a Christian but still live like the world. Jesus said in Matthew that whatever is in your heart will come out of your mouth. If Jesus lives in your heart, can you consistently have sinful things come out of your mouth? Not according to Jesus and what He said.

We too often are in a hurry in every area of our lives. Our schedules dictate our day and we are always in a rush. This includes our time in the Word. We hurry through reading the Bible, if we even have time to, and wonder why our Christian life is uninspiring and unfruitful. Maybe we need to allow God’s Word to read us. But that takes time and intentionality. That’s what this podcast will focus o...