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…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:3)   What is the purpose of a test? Tests don’t teach us the material, they only show us what we don’t know. An algebra test reveals what you don’t know about algebra. A science test reveals what you need to study in science.  A…
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Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy…  (James 1:2)   “Troubles” is a generic word that doesn’t adequately describe some of the garbage we go through. It’s easy to congratulate ourselves when we manage not to lose our cool over the waiter getting our order wrong or having…
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James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ… (James 1:1) Before we can appreciate this verse, we must recognize the identity of the author. James was the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Imagine growing up with Jesus as your older brother! Mary: “Who left this bread out? Of course it wasn’t…
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I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14   Keith pocketed his knife and kicked at the curled wood shavings at his feet. “You know, I feel like those pieces right there sometimes,” he said. “Work, work, work and it all ends up…
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So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31   Rance was determined to make his fortune by the time he was 40 so he could spend the rest of his life enjoying it. Steve took the opposite approach and spent every penny…
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— Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.  Proverbs 22:24   “I have a short fuse. That’s just how I am.” Some people are so comfortable with their anger, they’ve elevated it to a virtue. “Because I’m so incredibly special,” they’re actually saying, “I have a right…
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The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15   A garden. That’s all it was. Notice that the Lord did not say, “I created a planet with 57 billion square feet of stuff—dinosaurs, whales, volcanoes, and forests, and it’s…
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As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: “…Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the LORD your God, and follow all his ways… 1 Kings 2:1-2   If only we had more fathers passing the mantle like David did, exhorting sons to “take courage and…
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Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22 Lisa finished her third beer and announced to her friends, “Can’t get drunk this week, girls. I’m going to that church conference tomorrow.” Vicky high-fived her. “Gold star for you. Well, me and my boyfriend…
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“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But, if you say so…”  Luke 5:5 “So, Mr. Edison, if I touch this glass bulb with electrical power, light will appear inside? Sounds sketchy, but if you say so…” “Mr. Bell said that if we speak into this black box,…
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