The Yellow Balloons Podcast

S 4 Ep 1: A Living Faith

The Book of James is unique, interesting, and essential within the Biblical narrative. James  reflects on the nature of success, the importance of wisdom, and the challenge of practically living a faith that is more than just talk. In the opening verses, we see who James is, who he is writing to, and are introduced to James’ focus on a faith that lives, breathes, and acts.

S 4 Ep 2: Winning at Life

In this episode, The Book of James encourages us to lean into wisdom, walk by faith, and pursue God’s version of success. We win at life by walking in faith. In the midst of our up and down circumstances, we are called to make choices. Life is a mystery and is over in the blink of an eye. To make the most of it, we must navigate our circumstances with the wisdom that only comes through faith.

S 4 Ep 3: Temptation and Trial

In this episode, we continue studying the wisdom of The Book of James. We start in James 1, verse 12 and also explore other sections of Scripture that bring the words of James into a fuller picture. This episode is about how temptation differs from trials and explores the appropriate responses to both. We conclude with three metaphors for seeking God’s approval - a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer.

S 4 Ep 4: First Fruits

In this episode, we look at the drastic progression of sin and the increasing effect it has on our lives. Our flesh often believes the enticing promises of the world, but their end is death. Goodness comes from God; he is the steward of all good gifts. Life is about a choice between two Kingdoms: will we follow God and his offerings or the way of the world?

S 4 Ep 5: The Brethren

James lets us know that his audience is the brethren, fellow believers in The Lord. In this episode, we explore how this target audience affects the message of James and what it means to win in life. We are meant for community, commanded to listen to others and to lay aside wickedness. Not only receive the word of the Lord with meekness, but follow with action. The word in us is what enables us to win. 

S 4 Ep 6: The Power of Listening

In this episode, we focus on one of the most important messages, not only in The Book of James but in all of Scripture. The call to listening. James shares God’s command to listen to other people. We are also implored to listen to the Bible. And, directly, to the source of truth, God Himself. Circumstances are just the environment in which we exercise our faith. If we are listening for God’s direction and looking for his truth, we can encounter all life has to offer with wisdom and grace.

S 4 Ep 7: Dramatic Impact

The choices we make dramatically impact our experience on this earth. When we commit to believing, speaking, and doing, we are choosing a worldview, a perspective, and a way of life. In this episode, we explore this recurring theme in James and in the Bible as a whole. The best path for each of us is to walk in faith. To listen, obey, and mimic the wisdom of God. When we believe, speak, and act the call of Christ with intensity, we have discovered the key to winning at life.

S 4 Ep 8: Four Questions of Action

In the previous episode, we talked about believing the word and speaking the word. In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities of doing the word, which is a focal point in The Book of James. These four questions help us examine how we are acting out our belief system: What are our words doing? What are our actions doing? Where are our resources going? Are we enjoying all things richly?

S 4 Ep 9: Faith and Works

In this episode, we look at the difference between living faith and inactivity. Beginning in Chapter 2, we continue to explore the famous question that James addresses: can faith and works be separated? Is it possible for one to exist without the other? Winning at life takes more than a morning devotion or weekly church attendance. Is it our works or our faith that saves us? What is the relationship and the balance between both?

S 4 Ep 10: An Act of Faith

In this episode, we investigate an objection that is raised in Chapter 2 of James regarding the dynamic between faith and works. James makes a powerful distinction between believing that God exists as a point of information and entrusting one’s life to him. One is an act of knowledge and the other an act of faith. To help with the delineation, we take a closer look at some of the giants of Christian Scripture.