Sometimes I look at my life and I wonder, “Why would God give me any to begin with?” Then I read the Word, and I see that “My Father which art in Heaven” is a loving, generous, and warm Father, especially when I am generous and obedient. He is a lover and a giver, not a hater and a taker.

James uses the word “steadfast” or “steadfastness” five times in his letter. “Patient” three times in our text today. He says in James 1 to be slow to speak, slow to anger. There’s a thread running throughout this entire book - slow down. Take it easy. Don’t rush.

Are you living the life you dreamed of as a younger person? Are you living more than you could ever ask or imagine? Or, is your life significantly less that what you knew it would be?

Mercy triumphs over judgment. Today, who or what do you feel condemned for? Who are you condemning? God desires to give you mercy.

Sometimes we forget that God gave us the life we now live.

Giving is a social grace that we need to learn and exhibit, not as nice people, but as believers.

We want, what we want, when we want it, and that is usually now!

The tongue, that thing has a mind of its own. When it’s on autopilot, it will set the world on fire, and left to itself it will crash and burn!

There is a transformation from who you used to be to who you are. Transformation involves leaving something old and becoming something new.

Check out the message from Vinestock 2023! We all need Jesus. We all need to not give up. We all need to stay the course.