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In James 2, James confronted Christians with the truth about their unjust ways. They were in the habit of giving a warm welcome to visitors who appeared very rich, and of kicking to the side visitors who appeared impoverished. They had forgotten that a person’s earthly status does not change God’s desire to save them, nor does it diminish their value in His sight. Today, many religious organizations have gotten very good at giving a warm welcome to everyone, which is good, bu

After converting many to Christ with the gospel in Thessalonica, Paul and his companions had to leave because of the Jews who were jealously persecuting believers (Acts 17:1-10). Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians shortly thereafter, having heard about their faithfulness and their labor in the cause of Christ (1 Thess. 1:2-3). Paul wrote to encourage them to continue faithfully growing in Christ, viewing their progress so positively that he told them to continue excell

At least three separate locations in Scripture record accounts of people tempted by greed. In each of them, those who succumb to greediness for earthly treasures arrive at disastrous results. Sometimes the greed shows itself in a person’s unwillingness to share what they own; other times it is a desire for what they hope to attain. But in every case, greedy living leads to spiritual downfall. In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus answered a greed-driven interruption with a parable about a

Hebrews 2:9-18 presents Jesus as the One who came to humanity’s aid. He did that through great risk to Himself, being required to put on flesh and become like every other human being. He was tempted, He suffered, and He died. And He did all those things to provide what humankind needed: salvation. Hebrews 2:16 describes what Jesus did for humankind as giving help , and a closer look at the word translated "help"   illustrates   its meaning. In various passages, this word desc

In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples of Jesus got into a boat to travel across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat, and a terrible storm with violent waves began filling the boat with water. In fear for their lives, the disciples woke Jesus up, saying, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” With the words, “Hush, be still,” Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea, and they obeyed. The result was perfect calmness, as though there was not eve

When the last couple of months of the year roll around, many families come together to enjoy one another’s company and catch up on the year’s activities. If your family is faithful to the Lord and all are living obediently to the truth of the gospel, joy comes easily, and peace is present because of the fellowship found in Jesus. However, many families do not enjoy that kind of peace. Jesus prophesied about the effect of His ministry, saying, “Do not think that I came to brin