Live Free with Josh Howerton

The church of Jesus is where people from every background come together and can be one. A danger of diversity is seeing people with more or less than us and letting that become an area of pride or jealousy. No matter what financial resources God has given us, they all belong to Him. How are you viewing and using God’s resources today?For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Too often we judge others based on what we see in them while letting things slide in our own lives. God wants us to live in humility, but too often we try to be the judge and think we have all the answers. Our lives are short, and it matters what we do with them. He’s the one ultimately in control of our lives, not us… and that’s a really good thing!For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

We jump back into the book of James and chapter 4 this week. Pride is a dangerous thing that leads to broken and dysfunctional relationships. We need to learn how to humble ourselves with God and others. When we humble ourselves and follow the example of Jesus, God will lift us up. Where might God want you to humble yourself this week?For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

James tells us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. God loves us so much that He wants what’s best for us. He will help us resist the temptation of the enemy. The same power that raised Christ from the dead will help us! As you head into the weekend, come close to God and stand firm on the words He has placed in your heart.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Today, we move into chapter 4 of James. The Bible is full of relational conflicts, and we all face conflicts in our lives, too. James asks us what causes our quarrels and then points out that our conflicts rise up from the sin within us. God loves us so much that He is rightfully jealous when we allow these passions within us to guide our actions instead of His Spirit.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

As we have seen by looking at James, our words reveal what is going on in our hearts. Pride and jealousy come out in our words and actions. But God does not want that to define His people. He wants us to respond with gentleness and humility to each other. May we be peacemakers for Christ in our lives this week.For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

God wants to speak words of life and truth into your heart. His words combat the painful lies the enemy uses to try and tear us down. The enemy wants us to use our words against others to cause division. But the Spirit wants to fill our hearts so words of life flow out of us. The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Who can you speak life into today?For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

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