James

James: Obedience That Works

August 27, 2019

We don’t obey God’s Word because we have to. We don’t obey God’s Word out of guilt. We don’t obey God’s Word out of duty… We obey God’s Word because God has redeemed us and set us free. He has set us free to live the life we have always longed for. We no longer have to go through life wondering what life’s all about. We no longer have to follow the mantra of the world that tell us to follow our heart. No, God gave us His Word so we can live in the freedom of His will and become more than we ever thought possible. For whenever we obey His Word, we live by faith, and whenever we live by faith we show God that we love Him.

Rooted: When Your Faith Is Tested

July 30, 2019

When you see the big picture of how God is uses adversity to form Christ in you, then you’ll begin to understand why God doesn’t always protect you from hard things. God is not a helicopter parent. He’s not interested in growing soft, mamby-pamby Christ-followers. He doesn’t protect you from trials, but allows them in your life so you won’t lack in anything.

Rooted In Prayer: Real Life Praying

June 19, 2019

God knows what you need. He doesn’t want you to worry, but simply ask Him to provide what you need for today, “Give us today our daily bread.” God is our provider. It is a misconception to think that we provide for our needs ourselves. If you have all your basic needs met today, then God has been very good to you. God has blessed you. He is the one who gave you the opportunity to get a good education, to do well in your career, to put food on the table and to provide a decent nest egg for retirement. Let’s not forget that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights.” James 1:17. If anything, if you have all you need, then you should be thankful.

Its A Workout

June 10, 2019

Like physical fitness, spiritual fitness takes _______________ ___________. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good… Read More »

Love Does: Love Acts The Gentleman

January 15, 2019

Can you imagine that if every time you made a mistake, you had a Christian get in your face and tell you how badly you blew it? The sad reality is that there are many people who never darken a church door today because they were hurt by the very people who should have understood them and loved them. Love acts the gentleman by being understanding of people.

Love Does Humility

January 2, 2019

Our sin makes us equals at the foot of the cross. It is here where our sin is forgiven. It’s here we see ourselves in relationship to a holy God and humility is born. When you spend time in the shadow of the cross, you are not looking down at anyone else, but looking up to the one who gave you mercy for your sin.

Love Does Not Envy

December 23, 2018

Love does not seek to posses. Love celebrates the one being loved. This is how God loves us. He doesn’t force Himself on us. He doesn’t control our every move. He created us to be free. And now He wants us to love in the same way. To celebrate the beauty of every person He created: to celebrate their gifts and talents, their accomplishments, their uniqueness as a person.

Love Does: Love Waits

December 14, 2018

1 Corinthians 13:4; Exodus 34:6

John 13:34-35

What does this waiting involve? It means that I wait without demanding change. I wait without anxiety. I wait without anger. Not easy to do in your own strength. So, being patient then, is more than simply an attitude or an action. It’s action with an attitude.

Following Jesus: What is a Disciple? part 2

November 8, 2018

But the biggest transformation Jesus makes is in our relationship with God: God is no longer some abstract, unapproachable judge. He becomes our Father, our “abba” who delights in us, sings over us, and gives us access to His presence. So with transformed affection for God we find ourselves wanting to pray, delighting in praise and growing in thanks for all He has given us in Jesus. And as a result of this new affection, we find ourselves wanting to please Him in every way.

Following Jesus: What is a Disciple?

October 30, 2018

A follower trusts in Jesus, not just for salvation but for all of life. A follower follows Jesus, believing He is worth following. A follower walks with Jesus, believing He is faithful and good. And a follower wants to be with Jesus, because Jesus has the words of life, shows us a new way of life, and is the life our hearts have been longing for.