This week Matt Williams led us through the second half of chapter two as we continued our series through the book of James. Following his treatise on partiality, James once again assumes the role of a lawyer to make his next argument. The basic idea here,...
Living in Kenya, I've experienced varying levels of homesickness. My feelings towards home have felt a bit like a roller coaster- with moments of exhilarating excitement in my new surroundings, times when my stomach drops suddenly and feelings of loneliness and longing rush me downward,...
Each year as spring comes into bloom, families & friends come together and the world takes a break from the busyness of life to celebrate the Easter season. As Christians, this time is especially sweet for us as we get to come together and celebrate...
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only...
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our...
This weekend we continued to look at the teachings of James. In the beginning of chapter 2, James is addressing the sin of partiality, which can also be described as “judging according to value.” This passage is a brief aside, wedged in between two sections...
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You...
Integrity. It's the state of being whole or undivided, having a thorough consistency throughout. It's about more than just honesty- it's about conduct, direction, and action. You could define integrity quite simply as "doing what you say you will do." So what does it mean...
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and...
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! 23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to...
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest...
Though we may claim to believe in the truth of Scripture, if it does not shape the way that we live on a daily basis, we are merely fooling ourselves. James warns Christians to be doers of the Word and not just listeners. He begins...
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was...
James 1:14-15 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. If we put these 2 verses on a continuum it would...
My name is Elijah Mabonga Mangori from Kinyogori high school. As a child, I lived with my grandmother from my mom's side. When I was growing up, I didn't know my mom or my dad- only my grandmother. However, in 2006, my grandmother passed away. My dad lived...
When reading through the Scriptures, one of the things that becomes clear is that there is a great gap between the world's values and God's values. One area where this is particularly notable is in the way we view and treat those who are poor....
1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in...
I have spent the last four years studying and communicating the truths of God’s word for women pertaining to femininity, sexuality, and body and body image. And I have believed and taught that these truths transcend cultural differences....
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your...
Our gut instinct has always been to pin the blame of our sin on forces outside of us, things outside of our control. But the reality is that our greatest challenges are internal, not external-caused by the enemy of indwelling sin within us. Temptation appeals...
10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and...
Trials and suffering are common topics throughout the Bible, and this weekend we continued to look at James and what he has to say about living through the trials and temptations. In James 1:12-18, we see the importance of enduring through the trials and acknowledging...
Spending a weekend on a retreat with a few hundred middle school kids can make you feel either really young or really old (or both, depending on the time of day!)....
19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 15:1-4 1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping...
What does it mean to be not only defined by Scripture, but truly have our lives directed by Scripture as well? That's the question James has in mind in these verses as he connects the importance of not only listening to God's Word but living...