Light
John 1:1-11 “Light” Why do we put lights on our homes and trees and light candles to celebrate Christmas? Because Christmas is about light coming into this world through the birth of Jesus Christ. Seven times in our text the word “Light” is used.
Healing
James 5:13-20 If our prayer life reflects the quality of our relationship with God, then how can we have a prayer life that is filled with passion, power and the presence of God? Along with the Word of God and the People of God nothing will bring greater HEALING to our spirit, soul and body like communication, conversation and communion with God.
Persevere
James 5:7-12 Our modern culture of impatience and instant gratification is the least able to develop perseverance in us than any other culture in history. However, in real life perseverance is crucial to our success in relationships, marriage, parenting spiritual maturity, physical fitness, career advancement, and in dealing with the normal difficulties of life. Our…
Wealth
James 5:1-6 How you think, feel and handle wealth is a test that reveals the spiritual state of your heart. The wealthy are those who have more than they need to live. It is not sinful to possess the blessings of wealth, but it is a sin to take that which is a blessing from God and misuse it for our own ends. The more you have the more you are in danger of misusing it.
Plans
James 4:13-17 We all make plans while considering as many variables as possible. But when we ignore God’s will when we plan, we ignore this reality- God’s will determines whether or not our plans will succeed or have any lasting value! If we can determine the goals at the heart of our plans we will learn where our hearts treasure lies. Then we can learn to submit to…
Relationships
James 3:18-4:12 Relationships don’t put us in conflict with each other as much as they put us in conflict with our own sinful nature. If you will not fight or flight but face the inevitability of conflict in relationships, you will find them to be wonderful opportunities to grow in greater levels of maturity and intimacy with God and others. Just as our words are a…
Wisdom
James 3:13-18 If God were to grant you one wish, what would you ask for? In 1Kings 3 when Solomon had just begun his reign over Israel. God came to him and said, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And so, Solomon, out of all the things he could have chosen he asked not for wealth, power or fame but for wisdom. Solomon later writes that wisdom is…
Words
James 3:1-12 The quality and content of your words tell you a lot about your spiritual condition, the health of your soul. Most of the hurt in our lives have come from the words that we have spoken and the words that have been spoken to us. We live in a day and time of social media where words abound.
Faith
James 2:14-26 James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Romans 3:28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Who Is Right – James or Paul? BOTH! “Justified” = Gr. make yourself right or prove yourself right.
Mercy
James 2:1-13 James teaches us that when you are saved by Christ, you are not only cleansed of your sin but you also have been given the power to mature in Christ-likeness through a process. In other words, true faith will always produce real fruit. In his pointed and straightforward style, James tells us that this forging of maturity is done through many trials of…