Vitaliano Marrero Vitaliano hated having a house church next door. He decided that when the songs of the saints floated up to his window, he would turn his radio full volume to rock music. That will teach them, he thought. If I disturb their meetings, they’ll find another place to meet, and I won’t have … Continue reading –>
Further Study: There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world’s standard. They have chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its customs. Thus their character is marred, and their life made a weariness. In order to gratify ambition and worldly desires, they wound the … Continue reading –>
After getting this far into the book of James, chances are you might be a bit confused. After all, James seems to contradict nearly everything Paul says in the book of Romans. He consistently talks about “works” whereas Paul was the “champion of grace.” However, how can the Bible contradict itself on such a major … Continue reading –>
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7, NRSV). Notice the order of the commands here. If we try to resist the devil in our own strength, what chance of success do we have? When seven Jewish exorcists tried to get a demon out of a possessed … Continue reading –>
“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10 NASB) [thought questions for The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom November 11, 2014] 1. “He will exalt you.” Some struggling Christian might read these words by James and say, “Okay. Small price to pay. I’ll humble myself before the Lord, and he’ll … Continue reading –>
Read James 4:2-4. Why does James call his readers adulterers and adulteresses? See Jer. 3:6-10, Jer. 3:20; Isa. 54:5; Jer. 2:2; Luke 16:13. Alluding to the biblical concept of Israel as God’s bride, James likens believers’ going along with worldly customs and being influenced by worldly attitudes as spiritual adultery. In reality, they are choosing a … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : It is the love of self that brings unrest. We need the same mind of Jesus that humbled Himself that we might be saved. [Lesson Plan for The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom October 17. 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read James 3:13-16. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the … Continue reading –>
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (James 4:1, NKJV; compare Gal. 5:17.) What basic conflict do both of these passages describe? The opening verses of James 4 describe believers torn asunder by internal, bitter strife. There is an … Continue reading –>
Read James 3:15-16. What is his description of worldly wisdom? What are the common ways we see this wisdom manifested in the world, or even in the church? The wisdom that we have naturally is earthly, even demonic or devilish, and devoid of the Spirit. This should not be too surprising. Long ago, Solomon spoke … Continue reading –>
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom (James 3:13, ESV). The meekness of wisdom? What might that mean? Some commentators think that the entire third chapter of James has to do with what qualifies (or disqualifies) people to be teachers. Naturally, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: James 3:13-4:10; Deut. 4:6; Gal. 5:17; Jer. 3:6-10, Jer. 3:20; Acts 19:13-16; Ps. 24:3-6. Memory Text: Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you (James 4:10, NASB 1995). In many midsize and larger companies, a middle-manager mentality exists. This attitude happens when workers feel entitled to … Continue reading –>
Vitaliano Marrero Vitaliano had it made. As an officer in the Cuban military, he had a steady job that carried with it a certain amount of respect. He and his wife, Migdalia, had two small children and lived in a modest home. Things were going well, and he had no interest in God or religion. … Continue reading –>
