Opening Illus: The saga of John and Terry John and Terry had been married for several years. Married life was pretty easy the first couple of years, but eventually, what was most endearing to John about Terry had begun to grate on him. Terry, for her part, had grown tired of cleaning up John’s mess every…

Opening Illus: The saga of John and Terry John and Terry had been married for several years. Married life was pretty easy the first couple of years, but eventually, what was most endearing to John about Terry had begun to grate on him. Terry, for her part, had grown tired of cleaning up John’s mess every…

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 16…

James, Part 4 James 1:9-11 Consider this: A Case Study Repetition of Truth leads to real change. So let’s review: Why James wrote this letter – so that we will be whole-hearted followers of Christ, mature and complete lacking nothing. 2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience…

Going through trials in a way that leads to joy-production requires wisdom. If you struggle to find joy in trials, it’s most likely a wisdom-deficiency. Not merely a knowledge deficiency –you can have a good idea of what should be done but can’t do it, certainly not consistently – or an experience deficiency…

James 1:2-4 is a favorite largely because of practicality. We immediately see that in verse 2 – trials. 2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect,…

James: A Call to Whole-Hearted Devotion. Part 1 First of all, what is it? What are we looking at? We know it’s a letter because of the greeting. We know it’s by a man named James (literally, Jacob -- Jacobus) Style, structure, and genre: · In some ways, it’s considered a book wisdom, written in similar…

1. Christ builds His Church (11b – All wisdom comes from one Shepherd). 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates…

“Growing old isn’t for sissies.” As time passes, we experience the joy in many of the things we did when we were younger less and less. Activities you delighted in, aren’t enjoyable anymore. That happens throughout life. But I have witnessed that what the teacher said is true. The older you get, life…

Ecclesiastes, Part 15, “Seize the Day” 11:7-12:8 Opening Illustration: Made the mistake one night of realizing how quickly I’m back in bed. That was over 25 years ago! Time really does fly! This message today is mainly for the young, but those of every age who still have air in their lungs need to heart…