Have you prayed about it? This was a common question I heard growing up when I was having trouble with decisions. And yes, even when I couldn’t find something. Today, Pastor Tom talks about heavier kinds of difficulties, but also tells us that God works in those hard situations. Praying helps build our faith muscles, so the next time something hits us we’re not weak. A deeper relationship with our Father follows an active prayer life. There’s hope because of Jesus. He will see you through.

We have all found ourselves in situations where what we say is questioned. This should not be. Pastor Tom gives you thinking nuggets today as he works out what could be behind lies and how we can be trustworthy persons in our speech. Remember that Jesus has overcome this world. You and I must cling to this when tempted to speak words we know aren’t right.

Pastor Tom’s message today gives clarity to oath taking in Bible times. Think of today’s court of law. You swear that everything you say is true. It was the same back then. Vows were a way of testifying to the truth. God was even used in these kinds of exchanges as a way to have accountability in what they said. While the Jewish people of the day lost the real reason for doing this, promising started to be an “oh well” kind of thing. James tells us to take no part in such a nonchalant frame of mind concerning this.

Times change. Back in the day, handshakes meant more than just a handshake. Your word was your bond, as the expression goes. Pastor Tom explores this idea of liars and people of honesty. Think about everyday conduct in business, in jobs, at home. Liars are everywhere, unfortunately. They have something that would be advantageous to them, so in order to get it, they compromise principle. Jesus had something to say about that, as James does. Don’t promise unless you aim to keep it.

The third and last helpful nugget to persevere and give credit to God’s faithfulness throughout this life is explained today by Pastor Tom. You and I have been given many examples of what and how people organize their life in a manner that testified Jesus’ promise of return. Why not do what they did? It’d be like having a study guide of incorporating those Godly characteristics: patience, no grumbling, into our lives. He is first. Everything else should come second. Let’s be bold together.

We have examples of all the people who have gone before us in faith and how they managed their daily activities. Some well, and others not so much. This is what Pastor Tom touches on today as we look at how we should live with the faith that Jesus will return to set up His Kingdom. We have been given a great opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those who said yes to Jesus... all the way and with a happy heart.

Pastor Tom speaks today in regards to the second coming of Jesus. When we lose this focus, then bad things can happen. We can start to grumble, taking the pressures we feel out on those closest to us. Does this sound familiar? The Israelites lived under oppression. They didn’t complain to their harassers. Instead, they grumbled at each other. Kind of backwards, isn’t it? Friends, we have to watch how we handle situations in our lives so that we are not tearing down others.

Strong muscles, arms, legs, heart. Yes, that’s right. If you have strong convictions, are you likely to be dissuaded? Probably not. Pastor Tom continues today to paint a picture of what it looks like to live in the knowledge that Jesus will make good on His promise to come again, and we must be ready. No one and no thing will help us get to the place we need to be, Patience and a strong heart will. This world needs to see that no matter what life throws at you, it’s worth it to continue to see the end.

I’ve always been described as a patient person, but when the going gets tough, I’m not. Children needing to be fed. dishes piling up, laundry smelling... all these things can be so frustrating. You know what’s happened? I’ve forgotten to live like my Savior is returning, James the disciple talks about Jesus coming back to set things right. So I don’t need to be angry with my daily tasks, or try to get revenge on that person who cut me off. This is what Pastor Tom speaks about today. Dear ones, we must wait diligently, persevering.

What makes something totally worth it to you? What would you give up? What difficulties would you walk through? James talks about what it cost the disciples to hold on to Jesus’ promise that he’ll come again. You’ll gain some insight on the meaning of patience and endurance in the context of a follower of Christ. As Pastor Tom teaches today, having those qualities help get you navigate through those rough seas of life that we all experience. Take heart. It will be worth it in the end to apply what you’ve heard today.