What Do I Know? Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5 Have you ever felt like Augur who said, “Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the …
Proverbs 29:22
The High Cost of Anger An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22 “Must we bring you water out of this rock?” With the force of forty years’ frustration, Moses slammed his staff against the rock. Water gushed out in a torrent, creating a creek bed that extended for miles—enough water for two …
Deborah: Judge and Warrior
No Super Powers Necessary Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” Judges 4:14 Some may have called her the Wonder Woman of Ephraim. Deborah was a leader of Israel who settled disputes (Judges 4:4). She was also a prophetess, which means …
James 5:7-12
Trust and Wait Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. James 5:7 A disruptive student, a whiny toddler, a demanding client. That’s a short list of people who drain my patience. And then there’s the number of situations that sweep me into impatience: justice denied, income delayed, projects uncompleted. Are you nodding your head, or does your list look …
James 5:1-6
Be Rich in Good Deeds Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous …
James 4:13-17
Plan with Care—and Prayer You ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15 I’m a planner. Maybe that’s one reason I chose a teaching career. Then I gravitated to freelance editing—also full of schedules and deadlines. I set daily, weekly, and monthly goals, and I strive to achieve them. …
James 4:1-12
Whose Side Are You On? A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 “What causes fights and quarrels among Christian brothers and sisters?” James asks (4:1). We may think we’re fighting …
James 3:3-12
A Spirit-Controlled Tongue All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. James 3:7–8 Horses, ships, and tongues. Which word is not like the others? James says the odd one out is tongue. A horse is controlled by a bit, a ship …
James 2:14-26
Dead Faith Does Not Lead to Life Eternal For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. …
James 2:1-13
The Royal Law Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? James 2:5 A hug. An attentive ear. A pat on the shoulder. Often these gifts are more appreciated by the folks at the soup kitchen where I …