I am very grateful that Jesus comes from the helpless and harassed. I am also glad that He’s available for the hapless and the hopeless. When I think of who I was before I knew Him and what He’s given me in Christ – the hope – it’s a great spur to share that in […]
Read More Hope for the HopelessDelight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) This is a fascinating verse. What fascinates me is the order. The first part determines the second part. Though some might get excited about the second part, we will do well to appreciate the order. It would be […]
Read More Delight Yourself in the LordDay 9: The Danger of Presumptuous Planning Read James 4:13-5:6 Context: What attitude towards the future and material success is James confronting in both the merchants (4:13-17) and the wealthy landowners (5:1-6)? We should get the idea by now that James isn’t plucking random issues out of thin air. He has been making it clear […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 9: The Danger of Presumptuous PlanningDay 8: Submit Yourselves to God Read James 4:1-12 Context: What does James identify as the root cause of conflicts and quarrels within the Christian community? In a stunning summation of all that he’s outlined so far, James identifies the root cause of conflicts as the same divided loyalties he established at the start of […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 8: Submit Yourselves to GodDay 7: Two Kinds of Wisdom Read James 3:13-18 Context: How does James’ teaching about two kinds of wisdom connect with his previous discussions about trials, faith, and the tongue? By this stage, we should be very familiar with what James has outlined in terms of distinctions. There is asking in faith vs wavering. There […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 7: Two Kinds of WisdomDay 6: Taming the Tongue Read James 3:1-12 Context: Why does James specifically warn about the responsibility of those who teach, and how does this introduce his broader discussion about speech? You might get the impression that James is changing the topic from what he’s previously talked about, but there is continuity. That continuity follows […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 6: Taming the TongueDay 5: Faith That Works Read James 2:14-26 Context: Why does James feel compelled to address the relationship between faith and works so emphatically in this section? In a way, he’s been building up to this. He’s had to tell the listeners to ask for wisdom to get through trials and ask for it properly, […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 5: Faith That WorksDay 4: The Sin of Favouritism Read James 2:1-13 Context: What social and economic tensions within the early church might have prompted James to address favouritism so directly? From what James writes both before, in terms of various trials, and here, in terms of the treatment of the poor by the rich, it appears that […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 4: The Sin of FavouritismIt is good to give thanks to the Lord. God gives me so many reasons to be grateful. When I’m feeling low and sad, I just have to think about what He does for me. From the gift of His Son and His Spirit to the blessing of being a part of a family in […]
Read More Dryden Shorts – Thanks for DaysDay 3: Temptation vs Pure Religion Read James 1:12-27 Context: How does James’ teaching about temptation (verses 12-18) connect with his earlier discussion of trials? James is all about the distinctions. Trials are an opportunity to practice the steadfast nature of God. As we ask God for wisdom to endure those trials, we gotta be […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 3: Temptation vs Pure Religion
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