THE TONGUE OF FIRE!

Journal Journeys
James 3: 1-12
May 22, 2011

“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body."
James 3:5-6

The Heart of the Matter
Controlling our tongue is one of the toughest battles we will face in our spiritual lives. Our words were never meant to tear down and destroy. Our words were meant to glorify God and build up those around us.

The Characteristics of the Tongue (Vs. 3-6)
The Tongue: Small but Powerful!
The Tongue: Small but Dangerous!
The Tongue: Small but Revealing!

The Controlled Tongue (Vs. 7, 8)
Be Quick To Listen – Slow to Speak.
Keep a Tight Rein On It.
Refuse to Tear Others Down.
Speak Only What is True.
Pray For God’s Help.

The Constructive Tongue (Vs. 9-12)
It is Addicted to Witnessing.
It Speaks the Truth in Love.
It Encourages Others.
It Continually Praises the Lord!

Questions of the Week
In this past week, how have you used words to build up those around you?
In this past week, how have you used words to tear down those around you?
In this past week, how have you used words to glorify God?
Do you feel excited or worried about the fact that you will one day be held in account for everything you have said?
How can you bring your words under God’s control?

Our God Provides!

May 15, 2011

The Heart of the Matter: Sometimes it seems that God is not moving in our areas of struggle. We must remember that it only “seems” that way. God can quickly, and sometimes through unorthodox methods, turn our “empty” state to an endless overflow of His blessings.

God Provides Through the Ordinary and the Extraordinary.

“You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 1 Kings 17:4

“Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 1 Kings 17:9

God Provides Through Obstacles.

“Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.” 1 Kings 17:13

God Provides Through Our Obedience.

“She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.” 1 Kings 17:15, 16

Questions of the Week

Have there been times when you have put your faith in the instrument of provision rather than on the Provider Himself? How do you think that makes God feel?

Has God asked you to give more out of the little that you have? What was your response? What was God’s response?

Discuss the following statement: “If we move only within the realm of what is natural and reasonable, then we will never see God’s supernatural work in our circumstances. Man’s faithful obedience ‘primes the pump’ of God’s supernatural activities.”

Mother’s Day
May 8, 2011

The Heart of the Matter
Mothers have a vital ministry. God won’t bless you with Motherhood then leave you to hang out to dry. He’s given you His Word to encourage you, to help you to bless you, to comfort you and to give you direction.

When You Feel Discouraged.
…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

When You Feel Angry.
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…
Ephesians 4:26

When You Need Help
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

When You Feel Alone.
I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5

When You Are Tired.
Come unto Me, all you who labor and are over-burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

When You Are Worried.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Questions of the Week
• In what ways is your hope in the Lord a source of encouragement to you?
• Is it a sin to be angry? Is it a sin to remain angry?
• What areas of your life do you need to submit to God?
• How has God shown you that you are not alone?
• Share how true rest is found only in Christ.
• Worry and worship are both simply focused attention.

This week, try to move your focus from worrying about the problem to worshipping the One who has the solution.

Christ Revealed! Luke 24

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011

The Heart of the Matter
In two amazing post-resurrection encounters, Christ takes his disciples through a process of increasing revelation - beginning from his person and ending with his power. It is the same process that every believer must move through if he is to become a true disciple.

Christ Reveals His Person.
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Luke 24:31

He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
Luke 24:38-39

Christ Reveals the Prophetic.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24:27

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Luke 24:44

Christ Reveals the Passion.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:32

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:45

Christ Reveals the Plan.
He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
Luke 24:45-48

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:11-20

Christ Reveals the Power.
“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:49


Questions of the Week
1. How has Christ revealed his person to you?
2. How has Christ revealed his prophetic to you?
3. How has Christ revealed his passion in you?
4. How has Christ revealed his plan for your life?
5. How has Christ revealed his power in your life?