Blog

Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:7-8)   Sweat coated the face of the farmer as he climbed off his tractor…
Read more

Don’t grumble against one another… or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!  (James 5:9)   The airways are thick with grumblings and accusations about judging. “You’re judging!” “No, YOU’RE judging!” “They’re judgmental, but I’m not judgmental for saying they’re judgmental.” It gets a little ridiculous. Social media has given us…
Read more

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)   “I do it myself!” shouted three-year-old Emmy. She stood on a box of Lego’s balanced on a wooden stool atop a folding chair. It was a disaster about to happen when Dad raced into the room. Emmy had just reached the…
Read more

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8)   Benedict Arnold is infamous for his attempt to betray the American army during the Revolutionary War. He had served as a general under…
Read more

As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” (James 4:6)   Pride was the first sin and God hates it. Lucifer, the chief archangel, grew proud in heaven and decided that his awesomeness should get the glory and worship God was receiving. So God cast his prideful self out and now,…
Read more

Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? (James 4:4) The twenty-first century is already providing us with so many advances and improvements that it’s hard to keep up. From travel to technology, the norms are changing at a dizzying speed. But that progress does not mean that humanity…
Read more

You ask and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives…to spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3)   -“I’ve been praying about that promotion at work. It would mean a lot more money. Of course, I’d have to work on Sundays. Couldn’t go to church. And the environment isn’t exactly Christian, but I really want…
Read more

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:18)   “Whew! Finished planting my garden,” said Angie, wiping sweat from her eyes. “Can’t wait to feast on fresh veggies all summer!” She set her seed basket on the counter and went for a drink of water. Jed peered inside the basket. “Is…
Read more

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving… and willing to yield to others. (James 3:17)   Which of these statements sounds like wisdom from above: “I prayed about it and I believe God is calling us to adopt some children out of foster care.” “I prayed about…
Read more

For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom…they are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. (James 3:15)   “Go ahead,” came a stranger’s voice from deep inside Bill’s heart. “Tell them what you think. Let them have it. They deserve a piece of your mind. After all you’ve done for them, and then they did that…
Read more