If there's one concrete lesson to be learned in the second half of James chapter one, it's the fact that there's a huge difference between saying you're a Christian and living a life that reflects that you're a Christian. We find here that we are to be "doers of the word". That's a pretty hefty responsibility, and we most certainly need divine help in order to accomplish the task.

Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley resumes his verse by verse study of James, by taking us back to chapter one. In verses nineteen and twenty, we find James referring to something that will put us in a position to receive and respond to God's Word.

We are in the beginning stages of a new series in James. Everyone admires consistency. Having a friend who consistently supports you and encourages you is a real blessing. To be a consistent Christian is a real challenge, isn't it? Trials come our way. Temptation is always out there. James has some great insights regarding consistency in the first chapter of his epistle.

Welcome to today's edition of Bridging the Gap with Pastor Lloyd Pulley as we return to our new verse by verse study in James. Wisdom is something we all need at various times in our lives, in fact more times than not. James makes it clear that we should go to God, the author of wisdom, when in need.

Today we continue our look at James with pastor Lloyd Pulley. If you had to describe your life, and what's going on right now, I think it's safe to say many of us would point to a trial or two that we're experiencing. And maybe you feel like you're being steamrolled by a trial right now? Today, we receive great encouragement from James, who went through suffering himself, and explains why we go through them.

Today we enter the New Testament book of James. You'll find James toward the back of the New Testament, right after Hebrews. James was the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as we'll see during this study, he was a preacher of extraordinary passion. The book of James is all about faith in Christ, and what a relationship with Him really means.

Pastor Lloyd Pulley will bring us today the final message in his series titled "A Higher Purpose, A Higher Calling". One of the best known stories in the Old Testament is the sad tale of Samson. The facts are pretty familiar to most of us who ever attended Vacation Bible School, but perhaps today we can approach Samson's story from an angle that will allow us to grow in our walk with the Lord. Samson lost his strength to be sure - and he also lost his eyesight, but he also ended up being redeemed.

Today on Bridging the Gap. we'll see Gideon in a predicament - his army of three hundred against thousands of Midianites. Gideon sought the Lord's counsel . I'll let pastor Lloyd take it from here. Our scripture reference is Judges chapters six through eight.

You know, there are many men in the Bible who's lives provide great lessons for us. King David, a man after God's own heart. Paul, who went from a persecutor of Christians to writing much of the New Testament. And then there's a man named Gideon. Gideon was given a great task to perform by God, and despite the seemingly long odds, he obeyed God and ultimately found victory.

Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley shares once again about our higher calling as Christians. The question is, are we ready and willing to accept that challenge?