Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

“God is not merely good, but goodness; goodness is not merely divine, but God.” - C.S. Lewis

James wanted his readers to understand that everything good in their lives came from God. It could not have come from anywhere else because nothing and no one else is good. God is more than just the author of that which is good, He is its essence because He is goodness itself.

The believer's circumstances do not affect, dictate, or impact the goodness of God. He is good, and all the good things in the believer’s life come from Him even in the midst of the darkest trial. As the Psalmist said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!

Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

↓ Support our Podcast! ↓

Steadfast:

1

a

: firmly fixed in place : immovable

b

: not subject to change

2

: firm in belief, determination, or adherence

Despite the fact that his audience is undergoing trial and persecution, James does not send an empathetic letter of commiseration. Quite the contrary, James exhorts his audience to be steadfast in the face of persecution! Was he unfeeling or uncaring about the very real plight of his audience? Not at all! Rather, he understood what was at stake.

When compared together, James fully understood that the eternal good of his brothers and sisters in Christ was infinitely more important than their comfort or ease in this life. It is because of this understanding that he challenged them to stand firm, be strong, and endure to the end. His approach flies in the face of human conventions. Closer inspection of his words, however, shows that he chose love over empathy, the eternal over the temporary, and ultimate good over temporary comfort.

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!

Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

↓ Support our Podcast! ↓

You remember it like it happened yesterday: the whirlwind ministry of your half-brother, Jesus. His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Then the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, and you witnessed the birth and growth of the fledgling church. That wasn’t very long ago. Your journey has been no less incredible; from doubter to believer, you were called to lead the Jerusalem Church.

Then the persecution came. Your church family was arrested, imprisoned, killed, or driven out of their homes. How can you encourage them? What can you say to them? How can you keep them focused on living for their Lord and Savior?

It is impossible to know every thought that coursed through the mind of James as he penned his letter to his brothers and sisters in the Christian faith undergoing persecution and hardship. However, his incredible letter to the church has given encouragement and guidance to hundreds of millions of Christians throughout the years.

Through this Holy Spirit-inspired letter, we catch a glimpse of James’ heart for persecuted believers. The letter has also given believers a roadmap to righteous living for the past 20 centuries. The words of James are brief, strong, and sometimes downright sharp, but the love driving this incredible pastor is plainly evident through his deep concern for the eternal state of his audience.

For the next few months, we are going to take a journey through this amazing letter. We invite you to join us and be blessed by the words of this incredible pastor of the early church, a man who was brutally martyred for his faith in Jesus: none other than the Lord’s half-brother, James.

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!

Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

↓ Support our Podcast! ↓

A central theme of the first few chapters of Genesis is the complex relationship between God, the Creator, and man, His uniquely created creature. Humans were created according to God’s pleasure. They are God’s image bearers, a feature of their nature that is completely unique from every other created being.

God designed man to be in a relationship with Himself, and as such, worshiping God is the central purpose of humanity. However, when sin entered the world and humanity fell, the separation from God became impassable by any ability that humans possess.

The introduction to Genesis stands as a microcosm of the entire Scripture: the story of the one true God pursuing His disobedient creation, driven by love to stop at nothing in accomplishing their salvation.

Through these chapters, the love of God is on full display as He continually pursues a relationship with humanity. His holiness, justice, love, mercy, and sacrifice are evident as He works His will to accomplish His ultimate purpose: to save and purify a people for Himself as a priestly inheritance.

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!

Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

↓ Support our Podcast! ↓

Has it ever occurred to you that God never forgets? Of course, He does more than that, He remembers. You might say, “That’s the same thing!” but is it? It is one thing to never forget anything, but it is quite another to keep something continually in the forefront of your mind. When the Scriptures say that “God remembered” what it means is that His mind is active in keeping the plight of those who call upon Him in the center of His attention all the time.

This is intentional language! God doesn’t just have His people somewhere in His memory. We are the object of his thought. Those who are called by His name and sealed by His salvation have His FULL and UNDIVIDED attention at ALL times. What a demonstration of God’s goodness and mercy to His people. God never forgets, and more than that, He intentionally and continuously remembers His people. His love is fixed upon them, and they can rest in the peace of that reality.

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!

Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

↓ Support our Podcast! ↓

What would it be like as a Christ-follower to have God say of you that you “did everything He commanded you?” It would definitely be the greatest and most humbling thing that had ever been said about you.

In our mondern day, so many proclaiming Christians have discounted this story, even going so far as to call it myth. However Jesus cited the story of Noah as fact, and even used it as an example of the impending judgement that would accompany His second coming.

If our Lord and Savior looked to the account of Noah as a real, historical example of God’s wrath and judgement for those who reject salvation, than those of us wo proclaim to be Christ-followers should not dismiss what the Bible has to say.

After all, the Scripture says that “God commanded” Noah to do the things he did. The words of Genesis were written by Moses who received the account directly from God Himself! If none of this happened, the God is lying about his commands to Noah and all of Christianity is void. Genesis is true. Noah’s story is true, and as Christ-followers, we ought to learn about this incredible man who “did all that God commanded him.”

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!

Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

↓ Support our Podcast! ↓

From time to time, as we study the Scriptures, we encounter passages that force us to pause and consider a deep and profound call to action or belief. For many people, both Christ-followers and unbelievers, these passages are so uncomfortable that the easiest approach is to skip over them and ignore them.

However, Scripture makes it very clear throughout its pages that this is not an option for anyone who claims to have a saving relationship with God. The Scriptures are one complete work, spoken in one cohesive voice, God's voice.

The Word, as it is referred to in the New Testament, is both the written Word of God, which He has handed down to His people through divinely inspired human authors, and also Jesus Christ, the living Word, who affirmed the written Word of God as "God-breathed."

Those who would be true Christ-followers are not permitted to pick and choose what they will obey from God’s Word. They are called to live holy and obedient lives, fully submitted to the authority of God, which includes the authority of His Word.

In Genesis 6:5, we encounter a passage such as this. It forces us to look into our hearts and answer the question, “How evil is the heart of man?” This is an uncomfortable question, to be sure; however, the answer is of the utmost importance. Understanding the truth will lead to understanding God’s Word and work for mankind. Embracing Satan’s lie will lead the heart to reject God and face ultimate destruction.

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!

Enjoying the Show? Drop us line!

↓ Support our Podcast! ↓

God is passionate about His family!

Support the show

Visit our Merch Store to support the show!