Humility really gets a bum rap. So often people think being humble means being weak and spineless or seeing oneself as lesser in value. It is neither. Jesus died for us! That makes us very valuable to Him. Honestly, humility is recognizing our fallen state and admitting that we need…
How do I draw near to God? I seek His will and strive to consistently follow it. I repent when I’ve sinned and turn back to His ways. I keep my heart pure by filling myself with His Word. He’s always there for me, but it’s up to me whether…
I always have a choice. I always have an “out.” Two voices vie for my attention. To which will I listen? Whose will I heed and follow? The devil can only pull me off track if I allow him to do so. Submitting to the Holy Spirit’s guidance—listening to God’s…
Fanny Crosby knew how to move people with her words. The lyrics for “I Am Thine, O Lord” are so powerful and heart-stirring. Try reading them as a prayer. 1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long…
I won’t win souls and change lives by adapting to the world. That popular question from the 1980’s, WWJD?, is an important one to consider. Jesus would love, yes, but He wouldn’t ignore sinful behavior. He knows sin separates His children from God, therefore He expects me to root it…
Taking a stand for Godly principles is important, but the way in which one takes a stand is equally important. Do I approach those who oppose God’s teaching peaceably, gently, reasonably, offering mercy with a sincere heart? If not, will my words/attitude result in good fruit? Verse 18 says, “A…
One more misconception…the more we have, the happier we’ll be. I think the world disproves that theory, because people are always grabbing for more. More money, more power, more material possessions, more popularity…and what we see happening is more unhappiness, more dissatisfaction, more taking what doesn’t belong to them, more…
Perfection…impossible! I should know. I spent years trying so hard to be perfect (and failing so miserably) that I made myself physically ill. The first part of this verse says “For we all stumble in many ways.” Yes. Yes, I do. So, if I can’t be perfect, why should I…
I think I’ve shared “Let Others See Jesus in You” by B.B. McKinney previously, but it fits these verses in James so well, I have to share it again. Verse 2 really convicts me. Do others see Jesus in me? 1 While passing through this world of sin, And others…
Another misconception is that one must do good and be good in order to be saved. Where is the grace in that kind of belief system? We can’t ever do enough to earn salvation. But once we are saved, our good works show our gratitude to the One who saved…
