Finding Joy in a Blizzard of Trouble
Peter begins the first New Testament letter he wrote by zeroing in on the great salvation he and all genuine believers in Christ have experienced. Revealed in this first chapter of 1 Peter is the glory of God's salvation and the implications of it for our daily lives.
Honest to God--and Everyone Else
Living, active faith is always evident. It is demonstrated through what we do and do not do, by the strength of our character, our commitment to prayer, and our concern for others. There should be no question in people's minds as to whether we are followers of Christ.
Worldliness and the Way Back
Do our lives stand apart from the world or reflect the values and attitudes of it? This is a question we need to ask and answer daily. The fourth chapter of James offers important insight into how we can maintain a godly life in the face of the world's subtle temptations.
The Power of the Tongue
In the words we speak, we each carry with us the ability to bring great blessing or great harm. The book of James reminds us of the power of words and points us to how we can control our speech for God's glory and the benefit of us and others.
Show and Tell
It is by faith that we are justified before God. But as James points out, it is by works that we are justified before people. Our good works are the result of faith, the measure of faith, and the evidence of faith.
The Problem of Partiality
There is no place in the church for partiality of any kind. Yet, this sin can very subtly appear in the way we treat people differently. The letter of James addresses this problem and its solution in clear and very practical terms.
The Pirates of Tribulation
Trials and temptations are common to all human beings. This is why the first chapter of the letter of James is so practical to us all---it addresses real-life issues. And that is true for the rest of the book. James presents wisdom for life.
How Christianity Shapes Relationships
The book of Hebrews ends with a chapter full of admonitions and exhortations. They are final reminders of the importance of such things as practicing brotherly love, honoring godly leaders, committing ourselves unreservedly to Christ, and offering praise to God.
How to Run Your Race Well
Hebrews 12 compares the Christian life to a race. To complete our race successfully, we must look in faith to Jesus, who finished the race before us and gives us the hope and strength to keep at it ourselves till we cross the finish line.
The Biographies of Imperfect People
Hebrews 11 is known as the "faith chapter." Here faith is explained by what it does, and it is exemplified in the lives of great men and women of faith in the Bible. Their lives still speak to us and encourage us in our faith.