Welcome to a Year in the Bible with Daily Grace.

My name is Kristen and my name is Katie.

And we want to spend a few minutes a day with you walking through the New Testament, one chapter at a time.

This year we will fix our gaze upon Christ so that we may know Him, not only with our minds, but with our hearts.

Together, we will learn that who Jesus is changes everything.

Welcome back to a year in the Bible with Daily Grace. My name is Kristen Schmucker, and we are

journeying through the New Testament, and today we will wrap up the Book of James. As a reminder,

I'm using the Behold Studies from the Daily Grace Co, well as the free reading plan and you can find

all the info in the show notes. I hope that you have enjoyed the book of James as much as I have.

This short book is so practical and direct and the final chapter is no different. There is some

debate among scholars whether these opening verses are speaking to unbelievers or believers,

and yet whatever position you take, there is something for us to learn here. James warns of the

excess that the rich have been living in. They had so much wealth that it was rotting like weak

old produce. James uses strong language to catch our attention. He wants us to know that

earthly things will not last, but the Lord is constant, and he is the only one in whom we should

place our hope. These words seem to echo the warnings of the Old Testament prophets,

like woes against the rich who trample on the poor and vulnerable.

There is no security in money or wealth. The only security that there is is from the Lord.

James then moves on to everyone's favorite topic, patience.

James loves to teach on these topics that are tough for many of us. Be patient. It may not be your

favorite phrase, but that is what James tells us. You may have heard people joke to never pray for

patience, but that is not at all the instruction that James gives us. The instruction to us is to

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