Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2016

How to get wisdom  

James, Part 4 

If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously and ungrudgingly to all, and it will be given to you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord; they are double-minded and unstable in everything they do. 
James 1:5-8

James, the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem, wrote a letter to Christians who were being persecuted. He urged them to be joyful in the midst of their trials because God could transform their problems into blessings. Their trials could become steps to maturity in Christ. James says that ultimately they can be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2016

The antidote for confusion  

James, Part 3 

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:5-8

James says we become double-minded–pulled in two directions at the same time–when we are unclear about our identity in Christ. Ever felt that way? James says double-mindedness makes us “unstable” (some versions translate the word “confused”). I can relate to the feeling. Too often I’ve felt myself pulled in different directions when trying to make a decision, and confusion is always the result.

Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2016

How problems become blessings 

James, Part 2

My brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, consider it all joy because you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 
James 1:2–4

The Book of James was written by the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem and addressed to Christians who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. They were being persecuted by both the Gentiles and the Jews, and many struggled to remain faithful.

Posted on Monday, April 11, 2016

Mission Impossible? 

James, Part 1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, consider it all joy because you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:1–3

James, half-brother of Jesus and the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem, wrote a concise “how to” book on what it means to be a Christian. His initial audience was small, just a ragtag group of believers who were on the run from Jewish and Roman persecution, but his message was timeless. Look at the list below–how many of these topics are relevant today?