Are you frustrated with this evil generation? Be patient. James 5:7-11 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming … Read more
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice! Do you believe that God will affect your life in a way that will make you happy? Whether or not you are happy will be determined by what you are expecting from the Lord. God has not promised anyone that He will fulfill their wishes … Read more
Aren’t we supposed to enjoy life? God intends for life to be full of joy, peace, contentment and love. Consider any number of lists of traits the New Testament letters call for, including the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. Note this clear instruction from God: “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your … Read more
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James raises a question in chapter 4: Where do all of your troubles come from? While my typical response is to blame everything and everybody around me, James offers the real answer: “Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your … Read more
A beautiful, happy scripture in a time of tumult “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied” Acts 9:31. This is a sweet little stand-alone verse between two sections of … Read more
Are You A Peacemaker? Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). I picture myself mediating between two parties at odds with each other, telling them to calm down and forgive. What a noble idea. However, that is not what Jesus means. Peacemakers are called sons of God … Read more
Confession — its Part in the Gospel The word confess means to admit, declare or assert one’s own conviction, openly. Note first that confession is personal. If it is true confession it is the declaring of things personally known or believed, one’s own conviction. Secondly, notice that confession is an open declaration. How open, … Read more
WoW! Things are a little crazy right now. The uncertainty of life and the fragile nature of our world has slapped us in the face! We are not in control of our own personal or collective destiny. However, the most important things of all have not changed. Consider Psalms 16. It closes with these … Read more
“Blessed are those who mourn.” How? “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The blessing is not in the pain, burden or grief. The blessing is in the comfort that mourners receive. There is much pain and grief in this life for which there is no relief. Time has a … Read more
“Why doesn’t God do something? God’s people do not need to panic when things are not going well. God sees the bigger picture. We live in the moment. These moments can be full of trouble and discouragement. The books of Exodus, Ruth, Esther, and the Prophets record events in times of helplessness and hopelessness for God’s … Read more
