August 14th, 2022
Read: James 4:1-2 NRSV Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. […]
August 13th, 2022
“One of them, a lawyer, spoke up: ‘Sir, which is the most important command in the laws of Moses?’ Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments […]
August 12th, 2022
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18 Looking back to the beginning of chapter 3, James started by warning us about the danger of the tongue and the importance of taming it before moving on to talk about wisdom. He talks about the wisdom of the world in contrast to […]
August 11th, 2022
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9, NIV When I was in Bible college, there was a Christian Education professor called Ruth Rodriguez. We called her Sister Ruth. She had been a missionary for many years in Africa before returning to the States to teach in college. Sister […]
August 10th, 2022
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 13:17 It probably comes as no surprise that it’s super easy for Moms and Dads to imagine our adult children as the little kids they used to be. […]
August 9th, 2022
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:14-15, NIV. We can all think of examples of how the world encourages envy and selfish ambition, as well as […]
August 8th, 2022
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show their good life; by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 And our north star for wisdom this week: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, […]
August 7th, 2022
“Measure twice, cut once.” When I was a kid we renovated the attic on Marion Street into what would be a bedroom for me on one side and a guest bedroom/ storage area on the other. The house was an old one, with a complicated roof line, which meant A LOT of angles when it […]
August 6th, 2022
Read Luke 6:43-45 NIV “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil […]
August 5th, 2022
Read James 3:9-12 NIV With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same […]
