Hello Blue Mound! I’m getting to know a few of you now and I’m beginning to really love our church family. It would be even greater to meet more of you in person in worship soon! At the beginning of July, I started preaching and teaching on the book of James. Here are some of the latest things we’ve learned:

August 22nd – Managing Your Mouth (James 3:1-12)

  • Our mouths get us into a lot of trouble. You’ve got to learn to tame your tongue.
  • Why must I manage my mouth?
  • 1. My tongue directs where I go.
  • Why must I manage my mouth?
  • 1. My tongue directs where I go.
  • 2. My tongue can destroy what I have.
  • 3. My tongue displays who I am.
  • What is the solution?
  • 1. Get a new heart.
  • 2 Ask God for help every day.
  • 3. Think before you speak.

August 29th – Relating Wisely to Others (James 3:13-18)

  • A lot of the problems we have in life are because of personality conflicts. It’s very important that we learn how to get along with people.
  • How can I have peaceful relationship? Wisdom.
  • Wisdom is a lifestyle.
  • A lack of wisdom causes problems.
  • If I’m wise, I won’t compromise my integrity.
  • If I’m wise, I won’t antagonize your anger.
  • If I’m wise, I won’t minimize your feelings.
  • If I’m wise, I won’t criticize your decisions or suggestions.
  • If I’m wise, I won’t emphasize your mistakes.
  • If I’m wise, I won’t disguise my own weaknesses.

September 5th – Avoiding Arguments (James 4:1-10)

  • James says the cause of arguments is conflicting desires.
  • 1. The desire to have.
  • 2. The desire to feel.
  • 3. The desire to be.
  • The cure for arguments is humility.
  • 1. Give in to God.
  • 2. Get wise to Satan or get wise to temptation.
  • 3. Grow closer to God.
  • 4. Be willing to ask forgiveness.

Pastor Page – Page 2

September 19th – Quitting Playing God (James 4:11-12)

  • We’re playing God when we judge others.
  • Why do we like to judge others?
  • 1. To excuse our own faults.
  • 2. It appeals to our pride.
  • Why should I not judge others?
  • 1. It’s unchristian.
  • 2. It’s unloving.
  • 3. It’s God’s job – Unjustified.
  • When is it wrong to judge others?
  • 1. When I practice the same sin.
  • 2. When it blinds me to my own faults.
  • 3. When I draw conclusions based on outward appearance.
  • 4. When I condemn someone before hearing the facts.
  • 5. When it’s based on external religious observances.
  • 6. When it causes me to slander a brother.
  • 7. When I question people’s motives.
  • How to break the habit of judging others.
  • 1. Remember that I’ll be judged by the same standards that I use to judge other people.
  • 2. Remember that each of us is accountable to God.
  • 3. Remember how much God has been merciful to me.

These are just the highlights. I know for those who have participated in person in worship that these highlights will seem familiar to you and remind you the points that we learned. I hope that these highlights will pique your curiosity for those of you who have not been worshipping with us in person. Let me personally invite you to return to the fellowship of your church family by joining us in worship this coming Sunday.

You were created to be in fellowship with other believers. Covid has caused us to separate ourselves from one another and we lose something very precious when that happens. What we lose is how we build one another up when we’re worshipping together in person. We all need the support and encouragement of our church family, especially during life’s challenges. So, come to church. It will warm my heart to see you, and it will warm your heart too!

Peace be with you,

Buster

“God Speaks” Highway Billboards: “Let’s meet at my house Sunday before the Game.
— GOD