Live Free with Josh Howerton

Words can heal or wound. They can build up or tear down. They can encourage or bring despair. James tells us that our tongues are as powerful as a bit in a horse or a rudder on a ship. What comes out of our mouths has great power. How are you using your words? Where can you use them to heal, not harm, this week?For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

As we wrap up the week, we zoom in on James 3:10. James calls out how wrong it is to bless and curse out of the same mouth. They can wound and cause destruction. You have probably been wounded by someone’s words. You have probably wounded someone else. Thankfully, Jesus can bring healing and teach us how to use our words to bless, not curse.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

In today's culture, there's a danger in thinking that our faith is merely private and personal. However, true faith demands outward expression for others to witness. Our actions, not just our beliefs, demonstrate our righteousness before God. James draws from Old Testament narratives to illustrate how faith was lived out authentically. How can you emulate their example and actively live out your faith this week?For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Faith alone isn't sufficient unless it produces good deeds. However, these deeds alone do not secure our salvation; rather, we are saved solely by faith through grace. Yet, grace does not grant us the license to act without restraint. The true faith that saves changes our hearts, so we want to live it out. We share the grace we’ve received with others to point them to Jesus.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

James tells us not only to listen to the Word but also to be doers of the Word. He uses a specific example of not favoring people who look important over those who may be deemed 'less than.' We are all one body, children of God in Christ. He loved us, so we also ought to love one another. This is our faith in action.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Join us this week as we delve back into the book of James. When James was writing, he lived in a society with a stark class system, where it was evident who were the "haves" and who were the "have-nots." Even today, we may find ourselves categorizing people as "those people." However, this is not the way Jesus intends for us to live. As His followers, He calls us to love everyone and to avoid showing favoritism.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

The book of James encourages us to humbly accept the Word of God daily, but not passively. God does not want us to treat His Word as a menu or a search engine where we can pick and choose what we like. His Word is a mirror that reflects our reality back to us. It shows us who we are and how we can respond in a way that honors God.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Jump in with us today as we continue to walk through the book of James. God is not the one responsible for the temptations we face. We all have desires and appetites that can be distorted by sin, leading us to destruction. Each of us struggles with something. What are you tempted with this week? Pray and ask God to help you stand firm in Him.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

If we put our identity in things that fade away, we will fade away, too. When we put our identity in Jesus and look to Him for everything, we will live forever with Him. There is a crown of life in Heaven for those who trust in Him. Jesus persevered to the cross, so He will help us persevere with Him today.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader in the early church, wrote a letter to persecuted believers, encouraging them to persevere. We rarely mature when everything is running smoothly in our lives. God uses trials to refine us so that He and others can see the reflection of Jesus in us. No matter what situation God places you in, go all in with Him and ask for wisdom. God will give it to you!For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive