Welcome to Week 3 as we continue our study on the 12 disciples of Jesus. This week we will be looking at a few men of whom very little is known. One such man is James, Son of Alphaeus, also known as James the Less or James the Younger.
This is where our knowledge of James ends. Some traditions say that he was the brother of Matthew while others say he was the brother of Jude, but there is no real evidence for either belief. The truth is we don’t really need to know more about him, otherwise, God would have provided that information.
But here is what we do know. James stuck with Jesus when most of the other followers of Christ left. He loved and believed Jesus, and just like the more well-known disciples, received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
We also know that the inheritance that he received from God was glorious and beyond description. Some of the disciples were called to step onto a stage and into a spotlight, while others were called into a more normal and less known role. Jesus died for all of them and all of them were important to kingdom work and the advancement of the gospel.
This should be an encouragement to all of us. James the Less is less known to us but was not less known to the Father. So it is with all of us. We are loved by the Father, purchased by the Son, and indwelled by the Spirit. Our ability to glorify God is not increased by the size of our platform or the brightness of a spotlight. We don’t have to be well-known or accomplish jaw-dropping tasks for Jesus. We simply need to be faithful in the tasks that He sets out before us. We all have been given the same Holy Spirit that John and the rest of the disciples had. We have the same future promised to us and the same inheritance waiting for us.
Being more well-known does not make us more holy, nor is it a sign of a greater love that God has for us. We are eternally loved and created in Christ Jesus to love in return. Jesus makes us holy and our holiness glorifies God as it grows in even the most ordinary of lives.
We don’t know anything about James, the son of Alphaeus, but we do know that he was willing to leave it all behind in order to follow Jesus. He glorified God as much as Peter, and so can you… right where you are.
Looking To Jesus,
Week 3 Challenge:
Write out- “I am called to glorify God right where He has placed me” on a notecard this week to remind yourself when you are tempted to believe that you aren’t doing enough “big things” for God!
Week 3 Video: We’ll resume our weekly videos this Fall!
Week 3 Reading Plan:
Week 3 Memory Verse:
We are in WEEK 3 of our SOLD OUT study! Though our study name is titled SOLD OUT… our journals are still available! Our Bible study journals are packed full of beautiful content, are easy to use, and are designed with YOU in mind! Get intentional about your Summer Bible reading and pick up your copies today!
Sold Out Adult Journal – http://amzn.to/2s1YOPK
Sold Out For Kids – http://amzn.to/2s8eSyJ
Because of being homebound I have days of feeling useless to God. I hear friends talking about going on mission trips or how God opened doors for them to witness to someone or help encourage someone by visiting them at the hospital or taking them a meal when they have had a new baby. I long to be “normal” and involved. The lesson today was such a gentle yet powerful reminder that some of us are lesser but not less important to glorify God in our day to day living. This has challenged me to find ways to serve Jesus no matter my circumstances. I am so excited that I am a part of this study!
We are so glad you have joined us for this study, Martie! I can’t help but think of Phillipians 4:12-13 which says:
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
I will be praying for God to continue to give you strength in your circumstances.
Marty Winter, I too have problems with my body, living in chronic pain. I am a “used to be” who used to be a church secretary, a Sunday school teacher, a children’s church leader, a bathroom cleaner at church ?, a choir singer, a deaf interpreter…then came the surgeries, some that worked for a time, some that did not, which now leave me in a place of “used to be”. For a while it made me feel pretty crummy and of no use to anyone. Oh, I can mop my floor but then I rest for several days. I can make a meal for someone, but then, again, I rest for several days! Then the Lord, our very faithful Father, introduced me to this wonderful ministry by a godly friend from our church. Long story short, I became a facilitator of a wonderful group of ladies a few years ago and have been so very, very blessed! One lady even received Christ as her Savior in our group because of the challenging verses that caused her to examine her life to the point that she realized her need for Jesus in her life. As you grow in this ministry, maybe you can contemplate if God would have you serve Him in this way too. You can have a great impact on the other ladies in your group by praying for them and letting them KNOW that you are praying for them! The other ministry I am involved in is the prayer team at our church which I facilitate by sending out all the requests by email that come in to our church from our congregation. Our prayer team consists of of over 75 people, including staff, elders, and volunteers, who pray for these needs. So you can either begin a prayer team at your church or become part of an already established team. Prayer does, indeed, change things, especially the life of the “pray-ER” who can serve God in this way and fulfill a calling He gives to all of us when He says, “Pray without ceasing!” I pray, dear sister, that this long missive of mine encourages you to know that You, too, can have a place of service, no matter what your physical condition! May you delight yourself in the Lord so that He can give you the desires of your heart! SONshine to you! (Ephesians 5:14) ?
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I attend a church plant that consists of about 50 people. Our prayer ministry is done by email to the whole church which is usually sent by the person requesting prayer…. but as we grow I will definitely volunteer to head it up! Thank you for the suggestion!
I am unable to drive so I dont know many people outside of church….. but I will pray for God to bring people into my path that I can witness to…..
OH Martie, you never know how YOUR testimony for Christ will affect others. And THAT is your biggest way to be a missionary…by showing your faith. You aren’t lesser…you are a child of God. Many hugs and I will be praying God shows you just how much your testimony impacts those around you!
Matie I am with a wonderful group called chat about Jesus We get chats from all over the world You can find out about it by typing in need him global
Sounds great! I will check into it! Thank you….
thank you for sharing your story its comforting to know I am not alone in my suffering with debilitating pain all over my body for years and also have the task of raising 2 wonderful children the way God intended.
Praying 🙏 God will give you all you need to have the strength to live the abundant life with the intention to glorify
Him with your extraordinary, ordinary, everyday life! May you be Blessed with
healing,Peace & rest.
Jen’s message to all of us are truly some of the most beautiful words that I have read.
Her mission has been accomplished; her words teach, they inspire hope in my heart, they send comfort into my busy day! Then I read these comments from other women & their words do the same. I feel so Blessed just to read these wonderful, kind sentences! Just now I am sending a card of encouragement to a friend going through cancer & chemo. It has a verse in it from Lamentations 3: 22,23 NRSV The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to end; they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.