Articles I write for the weekly bulletin of the East Main Church of Christ, the congregation where I preach.
Here’s the truth about what comes from God (1:17). Every gift in our lives which is “good” (agathos, of benefit) and “perfect” (teleios, complete, mature) is from “above,” a reference to the location of the throne of God: heaven (Ps. 11:4). These gifts which benefit and complete us come down to us “from the Father of lights,” a fitting description of God. … Read More James: The Father of Lights
Here is how sin develops. It starts with “(our) own lust” (v. 14), “lust” having far more to do with sexual desire; it refers to having a strong desire for anything. Temptation comes “when (we are) carried away and enticed by (our) own lust.” Think about it. When was the last time you were tempted to sin concerning something about which you had absolutely no desire at all to have or do?… Read More James: How Sin Develops
Why did God tell “the brother of humble circumstances” (i.e., the poor Christian)that they have a “high position” in which they are to “glory”? Why tell “the rich man” that he has “humiliation” in which he is to “glory”? Why promise the rich man that even while he is “in the midst of his pursuits” he will “fade away”?… Read More James: The Right Perspective About Wealth
Many have understandable questions about James 1:5-8. In this post I do my best to provide some scriptural answers.… Read More James: Receiving Wisdom From God
What about us, Christians? Take a moment as you sit in the church pew reading this bulletin article and open your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Read all of what that aged apostle – Paul – went through to brings souls to Christ. The jails. The beatings. The whippings. The scars on his back. All the danger he was in. The hunger. The thirst. The sleepless nights. The cold. The heat. And yet…“I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too…rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.” Think about the hardships and trials you go through in your own life. Think about what tests your faith. Are you willing to endure? Are you willing to “consider it all joy”? Are you willing to allow it help you grow into what God would have you to be?… Read More James: Are We Joyful During Hardships?
Christians, how often do we refer to ourselves as slaves of our Master, Jesus the Messiah?… Read More James: A Slave of Jesus
When one gives to God’s church “according to their ability, and beyond their ability…of their own accord,” “bountifully,” “as he has purposed in his heart,” “not grudgingly or under compulsion,” but rather with a “cheerful” attitude (2 Cor. 8:3; 9:6-7), is that not offering honor to God (proskueneo)? Is it not revering God (sebazomai)? Is it not serving God (latreuo)? Is it not acting piously towards God (eusebeo)? The obvious answer to these rhetorical questions is “Yes,” especially when one considers that in giving Jesus wants us to “first give (ourselves) to the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:5).… Read More My Thoughts on Giving
If we have the mindset of “Through the preacher I am hearing a message from the Almighty Himself! What a privilege! I must pay close attention and heed every word with humility and a penitent heart!”, we would certainly be worshiping God as we listen to His message proclaimed.… Read More My Thoughts on Preaching
Pre-Denominational Christianity 