"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." James 1:26
| Thursday, July 30, 2015 - 138 people from 12 different churches checked-in to Show People Love And Share Him. That doesn't include the individuals from various churches that provided meals and transportation to and from job sites for the teams. Overall, we estimate over 150 people and 15-20 churches involved on our first day of SPLASH 2015! Each day during lunch, each team was to share a devotion to help keep our minds and hearts focused on the reason we are involved in SPLASH. The material used for Day 1 is shared below. Hope you enjoy! | |
Day 1 Devotion:
Religious people have a strong control over what they say! Do you consider yourself to be a religious person, why or why not?
Some people consider "religion" to be a negative word or concept. It is even often repeated that "Christianity is a relationship, not a religion". Why do you thin people try to make this distinction and stay away from the word "religion"?
In order to understand our relationship with Jesus, we must understand what our religious obligation really is. So what does that word, "religion" mean?Religion is the outward, external, or ceremonial part of the worship of a person. So when James uses this word in the context of Christians he is presupposing a public relationship of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as resurrected Savior and Lord. As followers of Jesus, James is clearly saying that our "relationship" with Jesus has an outward, external dimension. Surprisingly, he declares that some Christians have a worthless outward expression of their relationship with Jesus. What causes it to be judged as "worthless" according to this verse?
They do not keep a "tight rein" on their speech. This image is one of a person controlling a horse through a bit and bridle. Is your tongue easily controlled? Why? (For additional descriptions and study regarding the difficulty of controlling the tongue take time to read and study James 3:1-12.)
Application:
Today there will be a great opportunity to put your relationship with Jesus on public display. There will also, almost certainly, be things that go wrong. Your feelings may be hurt. The heat may be unbearable. Lunch may be late. Your ministry assignment might be difficult. How will you respond? Your relationship with Jesus will be expressed outwardly through your speech. This is your true religion and worship!!!
Religious people have a strong control over what they say! Do you consider yourself to be a religious person, why or why not?
Some people consider "religion" to be a negative word or concept. It is even often repeated that "Christianity is a relationship, not a religion". Why do you thin people try to make this distinction and stay away from the word "religion"?
In order to understand our relationship with Jesus, we must understand what our religious obligation really is. So what does that word, "religion" mean?Religion is the outward, external, or ceremonial part of the worship of a person. So when James uses this word in the context of Christians he is presupposing a public relationship of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as resurrected Savior and Lord. As followers of Jesus, James is clearly saying that our "relationship" with Jesus has an outward, external dimension. Surprisingly, he declares that some Christians have a worthless outward expression of their relationship with Jesus. What causes it to be judged as "worthless" according to this verse?
They do not keep a "tight rein" on their speech. This image is one of a person controlling a horse through a bit and bridle. Is your tongue easily controlled? Why? (For additional descriptions and study regarding the difficulty of controlling the tongue take time to read and study James 3:1-12.)
Application:
Today there will be a great opportunity to put your relationship with Jesus on public display. There will also, almost certainly, be things that go wrong. Your feelings may be hurt. The heat may be unbearable. Lunch may be late. Your ministry assignment might be difficult. How will you respond? Your relationship with Jesus will be expressed outwardly through your speech. This is your true religion and worship!!!
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