Tonight we have part one of an interesting study of Women in the Ministry--a topic that admittedly can be very controversial. Regardless of your feelings on the subject, let's allow the Holy Spirit to minister to our hearts and realize even though we may disagree, we can still love God and love each other.

Many Christians, even those that have been saved for a long time, struggle to hear God's call. But sometimes we miss the fact that the lost are in need of our help, and their need is the call!

Paul encouraged Timothy to pray all types of prayers for all types of people, including those in leadership. The focus of those prayers is first of all for salvation, and then peace, unity, and to have our lives shaped by the Gospel.

Paul admonishes Timothy to fight the good fight. He described the battle in Ephesians chapter 6 and gives the need not only to fight, but to put on the full armor of God. Let's make sure that our faith is not shipwrecked.

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, gave some great instructions for a young son in the faith. He also gave great encouragement from his personal experiences. Christ came to save sinners.

Paul writes to his son in the faith, timothy, and encourages him to not get caught up in arguing theology, but to have sincere faith, good understanding, and to strive for peace and love.

Paul had several sons in the faith; one of those was Timothy. Paul addressed two letters to this son and encouraged him to continue in the faith even when things were not going well. Life has many ups and downs, but God is with us through them all.

The ESV Study Bible gives an awesome comparison of the book of James and the Sermon on the Mount. Let's look at it together.

The prayer of faith will 'save the sick' is an awesome promise--not just a promise but a challenge. A challenge not just to pray but to believe.

James asks the question, "Is anyone suffering?". The reality is that all of us suffer at some point in our life, because suffering is a part of life. How can we survive that suffering? James says we not only survive but we thrive when we learn to pray and praise.

James uses a unique phrase: "being patient brethren until the coming of the Lord". What does he mean by that statement? Even the heading of that section "Patience in Suffering"--how do we relate to that? Let's look together and see.

Having riches is not a sin, but getting those riches wrongly is. And if our faith is in those riches, it also is sin. The bible says to have faith in God, not our wealth, nor our might, nor our wisdom.

James gives some great advice concerning the future: mainly that it is not guaranteed. Our life is as a vapor. His advice is to make sure our will and God's will are connected together, and if it is, we will be able to accomplish his will for our lives.

God is our judge. He is the only one qualified for that position. None of us are qualified nor do any of us desire to be judged by others.

This week, our Bible Study is by Nick Krake, our missionary to Palau. He will be sharing with us about changing our perspective when we face impossible or challenging times.

All of us have battles and sometimes the biggest battles we fight is with ourselves. James gives some great advice on how to avoid battles, and be victorious in those we must fight.

James tells us that Godly wisdom will help us in many areas of our life. It will help us live peaceably with others as well as ourselves. It will also enable us to be fruitful!

James is a book about Practical Christianity. In Christ, we have been freed from sin to be loosed to serve others in practical and spiritual ways. One of the greatest truths is GRACE ALWAYS WINS!