I cannot believe how fast time is flying.
Twice a month on this blog we memorize Scripture together. This year we are working on the Book of James.
Some of us are trying to memorize the whole thing, which breaks down to 7 verses every 2 weeks. On the 1st and 15th of each month, you can pick however many verses from the book of James, write them in the comments section, and work on them until the next SMT day.
Make sense?
All right. Why don’t I do this first. I’d like to share with you 2 of my favorite verses that I’ve been working on so far:
- James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” That is beyond amazing. I’ve totally used up more than my share.
- James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Boy, have I needed this verse these days!
Ok. Now it’s time for you to write in your verses and get working on them! Click here to get to the comments page.
PS I’d love your prayers today from 3-5pm for Thrive! My publishing team has a pretty big presentation to book sellers. Pray for God’s favor on this project.
Mary Wei from Mount Prospect
2:1
My brothers, show no partiality as you you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord of glory.
2 for if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes to your assembly, also a poor man in a shabby clothing also come in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears fine clothing and say “you sit here in a good place.” T the poor man, “you sit over there”, or “sit down at my feet.”.
4 have no then you make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, have not god chosen those who are poor in the world but rich in faith and heirs of his kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
6 but you have dishonored the poor man, are not the rich ones who oppress you, and the ones drag you into court?
7 are they not be the ones who blaspheme in the honorable name by which you were called?
Betty from mp James 1:22-27 “22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 2:12 & 13 NIV Study Bible
12. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
13. because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.
Lina from mount prospect
2:1
My brothers, show no partiality as you you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord of glory.
2 for if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes to your assembly, also a poor man in a shabby clothing also come in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears fine clothing and say “you sit here in a good place.†T the poor man, “you sit over thereâ€, or “sit down at my feet.â€.
4 have no then you make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, have not god chosen those who are poor in the world but rich in faith and heirs of his kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
6 but you have dishonored the poor man, are not the rich ones who oppress you, and the ones drag you into court?
7 are they not be the ones who blaspheme in the honorable name by which you were called?
Gina from Palatine
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those that love him.
Esv
2:1
My brothers, show no partiality as you you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord of glory.
2 for if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes to your assembly, also a poor man in a shabby clothing also come in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears fine clothing and say “you sit here in a good place.†T the poor man, “you sit over thereâ€, or “sit down at my feet.â€.
4 have no then you make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, have not god chosen those who are poor in the world but rich in faith and heirs of his kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
6 but you have dishonored the poor man, are not the rich ones who oppress you, and the ones drag you into court?
7 are they not be the ones who blaspheme in the honorable name by which you were called?
Jo from Lombard- NIV- James 1: 21 Therefore, get rid of(AK) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,(AL) which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Clara from Mount Prospect; James 1:22-27 ESV (did I miss a week…how are some of you on chapter 2 already?)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Erin from Bettendorf
But be doers of the word, and not heareres only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their afflictin, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:22-27 ESV
James 1:1-12
James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings
Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness
And let steadfastness have it’s full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing
If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given to him
But let him ask in faith with no doubting for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from The Lord.
He is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways
Let the lowly brother boast in in his exaltation and the rich in his humiliation because like a flower of the grass he will pass away
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass and its flower falls and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits
Blessed is the man who remains steadfas under trial for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him
James 1: 7-14
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
And will be praying that God gives you even more favor in the hearts of the book sellers, and Excellence with your publishing teams presentation.
Sarah from Davenport.
James 2:1-7
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,†while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,†or, “Sit down at my feet,†have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
Debbie from Des Plaines:
James 1:12-13 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil and he alone tempts no one.”
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by Godâ€; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. 19 So then,[a] my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Jaclyn Hunt from Davenport- James 4:1-3 (NIV)
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (Sorry I have not posted the last couple times, it has been really busy here!)
Hollie from Palatine: The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. (7) For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, (8) but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (9) With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. James 3:6-10
I will memorize James 1:19-20 NKJ ,”So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Jen T. from Palatine: James 1:16-21 ESV
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
TerrieAnn from Palatine
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Dawn from Deerfield
2:1
My brothers, show no partiality as you you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord of glory.
2 for if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes to your assembly, also a poor man in a shabby clothing also come in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears fine clothing and say “you sit here in a good place.†T the poor man, “you sit over thereâ€, or “sit down at my feet.â€.
4 have no then you make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, have not god chosen those who are poor in the world but rich in faith and heirs of his kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
6 but you have dishonored the poor man, are not the rich ones who oppress you, and the ones drag you into court?
7 are they not be the ones who blaspheme in the honorable name by which you were called?
Jaimee from Arlington Heights. James 1:25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Char
James 1:12-14 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial: for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempte by evil, and He Himself does not tempt people.
Heather from Palatine
James 1:22-27 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Wendy B. – Schaumburg James 1:7-8 For that person must not suppose he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Jen from Cary
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep one self unstained from the world. My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
James 1:22-2:1 (ESV)
James 1:25-2:5 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in the good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
Laurie from Palatine: James 1:22-27
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Liz from EP – James 1:21-2:4 (ESV)
“For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”
4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Maile from Villa Park: James 1:25 – 2:5
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,†while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,†or, “Sit down at my feet,†have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
James 2:1-7
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Sin of Partiality
2 My brothers,[a] show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,†while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,†or, “Sit down at my feet,†4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
Amanda from Davenport James 1:16-22 ESV “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not heareres only, deceiving yourselves.”
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,†you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,†also said, “Do not murder.†If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Leah from Lombard
James 1:1-4
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Consider it *all* joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. *And* let steadfastness have its full effect, * that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
* Corrections I made after writing
I’m still here! Not getting 7 verses, but here is what I have so far…..by memory, so may not be word for word.
Dear brothers and sister when troubles come your way consider it an opportunity for great joy. Because when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow. and when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. But if you need wisdom, as our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver. A person with divided loyalty is as unsteady as a wave on the sea blown and tossed by the wind. These people should not expect anything from God. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world and they are unstable in all they do. Believers who are poor should have something to boast about because God has honored them; Rich believers should boast that God has made them humble. Their riches will fade away like a flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the flower droops and falls and loses its beauty. The rich will fad away with their achievement the same way.
So now I have to look where I am James 12; feel behind you all, but I’ve never even done this much so pretty excited.
This week I will memorize James 12-14.
James 1:19-24. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Pam from Bettendorf / James 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,†but say to the poor man, “You stand there†or “Sit on the floor by my feet,†4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
Susan from Morton Grove:
James 1:6
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Gayle from Arl Hts James 1:
Gayle from Arl Hts: Jam 1:23-2:2
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord od glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,