Several years ago, a family form Central America, brought their toddler to Tampa, Florida for medical treatment, because she was not developing and was having seizures. The doctors did not have much to offer. After one of my Wednesday morning community Bible studies at the church, we had an anointing service for the baby. Months … Continue reading –>
Read James 5:14-15. What are the essential elements James prescribes for anointing the sick, and what important spiritual components are found in these texts? The fact that the sick person calls for the elders of the church to come and anoint him or her with oil in the name of the Lord and pray expresses … Continue reading –>
Read James 5:13. What interesting contrast is he presenting here? How do we apply these admonitions to our own experiences? Though dealing with two different things (suffering, cheerfulness), James links them with prayer and praise: pray when you are suffering, praise when you are cheerful. The two practices are not that different from each other, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: James 5:13-20; 1 John 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:54; Heb. 12:12-13; John 8:43-45; Prov. 10:12. Memory Text: Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16, NASB). People are fascinated … Continue reading –>
Joel Sandoval Joel realized it was Sabbath. His parents would be in church, praying for him. In the midst of the chaos in the house and outside, Joel knelt in a corner and prayed. He was sure that death was near. He opened the New Testament to the book of Psalms and began reading. Joel … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read about the experiences of Elijah and Job in times of testing and its significance for us in the last days in Ellen G. White, From Jezreel to Horeb, p. 155-166; What Doest Thou Here? p. 167-176; In the Spirit and Power of Elias, p. 177-189, in Prophets and Kings. “To wait patiently, … Continue reading –>
Not too long ago, I wrote a blog titled “The End Time and Conspiracy Theories.” In that blog I shared my thoughts regarding the relationship between Christians in general and the ever increasing popularity of conspiracies. In this post, I would like to more specifically address Seventh-day Adventists and conspiracy thinking by sharing some thoughts from the … Continue reading –>
Read James 5:12. Commentators have puzzled over why James seems to make such a major issue out of swearing solemn oaths. Even if the intent were to prohibit all speech of this kind, why would it seem to be urged as important “above all” as he has spoken about in this chapter or perhaps in the … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Getting Ready for the Harvest December 9, 2014] 1. Parousia. Does the word “parousia” echo a sense of majesty and anticipation in you? Did it for New Testament Christians as they applied the word to the Second Coming of Jesus? What two conditions does James propose to Christians who want to be ready for … Continue reading –>
Read James 5:10-11. What do Job and the prophets have in common? Why do you think these examples are highlighted? What personal lessons can we take away from these stories for ourselves amid our own trials? The prophets of Israel were faithful in preaching the word of the Lord without altering or compromising it. Hebrews, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : As we wait for the Lord to return, James encourages believers to strive to be patient in the face of evil and injustice and not to take heart. [Lesson Plan for Getting Ready for the Harvest December 8, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read James 5:7,8. a. Ask class members to share a … Continue reading –>
When is the Second Coming? Why are we still here? It’s not surprising that now, in the 21st century, we have doubters and scoffers. In the history of the church, this is nothing new. The most dangerous threats to Israel throughout its history came not from their enemies but from within their own ranks and … Continue reading –>
