We hear a lot today about having our own personal “world view.”  Everyone has one, that is true.  World views are formed as we live our lives.  Our heritage and home and upbringing are our first contributors to our world view.  Where we were raised, places we have lived, major people who have influenced our lives along the way—all of these combine to make us who we are and fashion how we think and how we approach life. 

I have made it my purpose to nurture and express a biblical worldview.  God has had His hand on the rudder of my life since I was very young.  His great love for me placed me in a home that loved Jesus.  That home nurtured both me and my baby sister to do the same.  We were raised by two parents who gave us the greatest gift a kid can receive:  a loving home where two people share life in a marriage covenant before the Lord.  The family blessing is having two parents who love God and love each other and who teach their children to do the same. 

A biblical worldview brings a built-in set of priorities.  Our lesson today speaks to showing our faith by demonstrating priorities that bring honor and glory to God.  James wants homes like that to become the foundation for all other institutions such as churches, businesses, governments, schools, etc. 

Life is short.  Jesus will return when we least expect Him.  Tomorrow is not promised.  Grace to live today is guaranteed.  Just like manna in the wilderness arrived daily, God provides our daily bread.  The lives of believers MUST reflect these tracks of thinking.  People who watch us on a daily basis should never have to wonder how we feel about these issues.  We should be found making the most of every opportunity for leaving a “goodness” impression.  Our actions should leave behind that fragrance of the aroma of Christ. 

Goal setting is a very important exercise in maintaining the best use of the time we have on Earth.  Five-year goals and ten-year goals and one year action plans sound nice and even look good on paper.  However, each day is an increment of faith and trust in God’s provision.  At the end of each day, we should be closer to the Lord than we were the day before.  We should be grateful that He got us up and got us going and used our gifts and callings to touch other people on the path.  Goals keep us looking FORWARD. Our trust in the Lord should keep us looking a bit further than forward.  We need to make sure we are looking UPWARD to the Mountain Maker.

James points us to the prophets of the Old Testament who experienced suffering and affliction with great patience and faithful endurance.  He speaks of the “end of the Lord” and gives us assurance that He is the One Who is in charge of the Days of our Lives, not the network soap opera stars.  The Greek word for “end” there does not mean the Lord is finished.  The word is “telos” which is what Jesus said from the cross:  Tetelestai means the work is complete.  The work is done.  The work accomplished exactly what it was designed to do. This work of Jesus was completed on the cross and sealed by the resurrection.  This work continued with His ascension and will be consummated when He returns to take us home. 

Jesus is coming in my lifetime.  I am fully assured of that.  He is either coming to get me in death as He gathers me to Heaven with Him because of my faith in all that He said and did and promised…OR…He is coming to get me when He raptures His church out of this world as described in Corinthians and Thessalonians by Paul. 

James grew up with Jesus in his own home.  They shared the womb of their mother Mary and learned from Joseph how to build with nails and wood in a shop in Nazareth.  James learned to walk like Jesus.  So can we.  One day at a time.