“You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (James 5:8 NLT). As the farmer patiently waits for the rain and the harvest, so James called believers to be patient and courageous until the Lord’s return. For the Lord’s coming is near. How near? No one knows, except the
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17 NLT). There are sins of commission and sins of omission. The first is to commit a sin by breaking a law, and the second is to omit to do the good thing that was within your power
“In a vision from God he took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. From there I could see toward the south what appeared to be a city” (Ezekiel 40:2 NLT). God gave Ezekiel a vision of a new temple in Jerusalem. The description is very detailed,
“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?” (James 2:1 NLT). The apostle James wrote that believers should not show partiality to some over others. He especially had in mind those who were favoring the rich over the
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5 NLT). It seems self-evident that the one who lacks wisdom would ask the all-knowing God for help. Yet, asking God is often the last choice, rather than the first. Prayer is
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace” (Hebrews 13:8-9 NLT). The author of Hebrews warned believers not to be led astray by strange and various teachings that might come along. They were to remember the teachings and conduct
“Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking” (Hebrews 12:25 NLT). Have you ever refused to listen to the Spirit of Christ? Has He knocked at your heart’s door and been refused entrance? Consider those in the Old Testament who refused to obey God when He spoke. What
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a NLT). Running the race of faith, it is Jesus who sets the pace for us. So we must keep our eyes on Him,
“It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies” (Hebrews 11:31 NLT). Rahab lived in the ancient city of Jericho. She was a business woman who ran a house that offered meals,
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT). Hebrews begins its eleventh chapter with a biblical definition of faith. Chapter eleven might be called the “Faith Hall of Fame.” For following its definition, examples of people living with biblical faith are listed.