The LETTER of JAMES Chapter Two

Overview: the letter of James /  The Bible Project

https://youtu.be/qn-hLHWwRYY

The Sin of Partiality

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? 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 dishonoured 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 honourable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of 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 murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 

12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 

13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 

20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 

26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

 

The LETTER of JAMES Chapter One

Overview: the letter of James /  The Bible Project

Greeting

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

Testing of Your Faith

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 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. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

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. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 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. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow tospeak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

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.  

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PSALM 119 verses 25 to 48

Verses 25 to 48

Dalet

25 

My soul clings to the dust;

    give me life according to your word!

26 

When I told of my ways, you answered me;

    teach me your statutes!

27 

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

28 

My soul melts away for sorrow;

    strengthen me according to your word!

29 

Put false ways far from me

    and graciously teach me your law!

30 

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

    I set your rules before me.

31 

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

    let me not be put to shame!

32 

I will run in the way of your commandments

    when you enlarge my heart!

Hey

33 

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

    and I will keep it to the end.

34 

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

    and observe it with my whole heart.

35 

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

    for I delight in it.

36 

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

    and not to selfish gain!

37 

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

    and give me life in your ways.

38 

Confirm to your servant your promise,

    that you may be feared.

39 

Turn away the reproach that I dread,

    for your rules are good.

40 

Behold, I long for your precepts;

    in your righteousness give me life!

Vav

41 

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,

    your salvation according to your promise;

42 

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

    for I trust in your word.

43 

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

    for my hope is in your rules.

44 

I will keep your law continually,

    forever and ever,

45 

and I shall walk in a wide place,

    for I have sought your precepts.

46 

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

    and shall not be put to shame,

47 

for I find my delight in your commandments,

    which I love.

48 

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, 

which I love,

    and I will meditate on your statutes.

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Psalm 119:33-40 (Acoustic Sessions) | The Corner Room. https://youtu.be/RKPAKRWg9GA

Psalm 119:33-40 Song Jason Silver https://youtu.be/i_yY9qopqVE

Psalm 119: 33-40 Song "Teach Me, O Lord" (Esther Mui) https://youtu.be/p0L5eFWS32A

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Psalm 119 Verses 1 to 24

Verses 1 to 24

Alef

1

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

    who walk in the law of the Lord!

2 

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

    who seek him with their whole heart,

3 

who also do no wrong,

    but walk in his ways!

4 

You have commanded your precepts

    to be kept diligently.

5 

Oh that my ways may be steadfast

    in keeping your statutes!

6 

Then I shall not be put to shame,

    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

7 

I will praise you with an upright heart,

    when I learn your righteous rules.

8 

I will keep your statutes;

    do not utterly forsake me!

Beit

9 

How can a young man keep his way pure?

    By guarding it according to your word.

10 

With my whole heart I seek you;

    let me not wander from your commandments!

11 

I have stored up your word in my heart,

    that I might not sin against you.

12 

Blessed are you, O Lord;

    teach me your statutes!

13 

With my lips I declare

    all the rules of your mouth.

14 

In the way of your testimonies I delight

    as much as in all riches.

15 

I will meditate on your precepts

    and fix my eyes on your ways.

16 

I will delight in your statutes;

    I will not forget your word.

Gimmel

17 

Deal bountifully with your servant,

    that I may live and keep your word.

18 

Open my eyes, that I may behold

    wondrous things out of your law.

19 

I am a sojourner on the earth;

    hide not your commandments from me!

20 

My soul is consumed with longing

    for your rules at all times.

21 

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

    who wander from your commandments.

22 

Take away from me scorn and contempt,

    for I have kept your testimonies.

23 

Even though princes sit plotting against me,

    your servant will meditate on your statutes.

24 

Your testimonies are my delight;

    they are my counsellors.

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Psalm 119 - song - Ian WHITE - https://youtu.be/QmjxERjELX0

Psalm 119:9-16 "Your Word I Have Hidden in My Heart" (Esther Mui) https://youtu.be/BID7tswLDNs

Psalm 119:9-16 Song - Pure https://youtu.be/jEHnvvugwzo

 

The LETTER of PAUL to the COLOSSIANS Chapter Four

Overview: Colossians- ( The Bible Project ). https://youtu.be/pXTXlDxQsvc

1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Final Greetings

7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 

9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

 

The LETTER of PAUL to the COLOSSIANS Chapter Three

Overview: Colossians- ( The Bible Project )

https://youtu.be/pXTXlDxQsvc

Put On the New Self

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.