The Gift of Trials

This week’s text from James 1 presents an interesting challenge for Bible teachers and interpreters. As we saw last week, James is focusing on the trouble with trials in our lives. The Greek word translated as “trials” in James 1:2 is peirasmos. The ESV translates this sentence as, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when … Continue reading The Gift of Trials →

The Trouble With Trials

The word “rejoice” and the word “trials” don’t seem to fit well in the same sentence. Yet, that is what James is exhorting his readers to do: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). Trials can mean different things to different people. Trials can involve our health, … Continue reading The Trouble With Trials →

An Unexpected King

Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? We know the miraculous reasons, and we can see the sovereignty of God clearly at work, but in a physical sense, what brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem? Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth, a city about 70 miles north of Jerusalem. Given this was their family home, it … Continue reading An Unexpected King →

The Son of David

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham… And Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. – Matthew 1:1, 16 This week during our devotional time together, we will get to know a man given an … Continue reading The Son of David →

An Unexpected Dream

There are times in life when we can see trials approaching like a storm in the distance. Other times, we are plunged without notice into the deepest, darkest oceans of pain and suffering. This is what Joseph experienced. The months of betrothal are when two strangers develop the deep bonds of love that will carry … Continue reading An Unexpected Dream →

Contend for the Faith

We started our look at the one-chapter epistles of the New Testament by highlighting the importance of truth. A Christian would point to the Word of God as the bedrock foundation of truth. It is from the Bible that we learn and understand the essential elements of the Lord God that define our human understanding … Continue reading Contend for the Faith →

Paul’s Thorn In the Flesh

There has been a lot of debate through the centuries regarding the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” He refers to it in 2 Corinthians 12:7: “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of … Continue reading Paul’s Thorn In the Flesh →

Paul’s Postcard to Philemon

No one likes conflict. When we are at odds with those we love, it can create a lot of stress. Sometimes, we’re not the one at odds, but we are stuck in the middle between two friends or family members who are at odds with each other. Negotiating that kind of relationship can often feel … Continue reading Paul’s Postcard to Philemon →

To Finish the Mission Requires Courage

As we continue our study of Finish the Mission during GO Month 2015 at First Family Church, we come to the topic of courage. A short definition of courage is simply to place yourself in a position where the outcome is uncertain. Courage is often associated with heroes who place their very life at risk … Continue reading To Finish the Mission Requires Courage →

Oh God, Make Your Passion My Mission

One of the core themes of the Star Wars saga is the rebellion of the evil empire against the good represented by the Republic and the Jedi Knights. As we watch movies like Star Wars, we identify ourselves with the good guys, those who fight for the brotherhood of mankind and the ultimate triumph of … Continue reading Oh God, Make Your Passion My Mission →