Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. —1 Peter 1:15 The root meaning of the word “holy” (hágios) is “different.” William Barclay notes that the Temple was hágios because it was different from other buildings; the Sabbath was hágios because it was different from […]
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. —James 4:14 At the time of this writing, average life expectancy in the United States is 78.4 years. Visualizing those years on a 12-hour
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? —James 4:1 Slick marketers keep our desires an inch and a half beyond our reach,
Keep a Lid on Your Wants Read More »
Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. —James 2:10 There’s a good chance that you know a church-going man who makes his home hell by his tyrannical and
Do not merely listen to the word … Do what it says. —James 1:22 Voice-activation has arrived. Speak an address and your GPS will map your destination and talk you to it. Speak a name
You’re No Robot Disciple Read More »
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. —James 1:19 My wife says I never pay attention to what she says—or something like that. That’s what the bumper sticker said. You show that you value people
Are You a Good Listener? Read More »
The testing of your faith develops perseverance. —James 1:3 Have you noticed that those who complain the most are often those who have the least to complain about? People of position, power, and possessions can be
Trouble is Temporary Read More »
Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials. —James 1:2 On its face today’s text sounds loony. It’s a stretch to find anything joyful about trials. James doesn’t say that you should go looking for
When Trial is Your Friend Read More »
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. —James 1:1 James, a servant of God. If James had his preference those are the words that would have been chiseled on his gravestone. At least that’s how he opened his New Testament letter. Paul, Peter, and Jude
Do not forget to do good. —Hebrews 13:16 If you were described in five words, what would those five words be? Here are the five that Peter used to define Jesus: “he went around doing good” (Acts 10:38). Declared beliefs are suspect unless verified by action. Knowing the playbook is worthless unless
