he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Truth to Learn We must not get distracted from focusing on God and on Him alone. Behind the Words “Double-minded” is translated from dipsuchos which is a compound word made up of dis meaning “twice” and a form of psuche...
James 1:7 – Paternal Gifts
For do not let that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; Truth to Learn God loves us more than any earthly father and wants to give us good things. Answers to our prayers are gifts from our Heavenly Father but they must be sought with complete faith....
James 1:6 – Doubtless Prayer
But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea being driven by the wind and tossed. Truth to Learn Wisdom is available from God for the asking but in order to receive we must believe God’s promise that He will...
James 1:5 – Wisdom Given
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who is giving liberally to all and not reproaching, and it will be given to him. Truth to Learn We all lack wisdom when we are in trials, yet all we need to do is ask God for it...
James 1:4 – Completely Whole
But let patience have its completing work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Truth to Learn God is constantly working on us to make us into a complete image of His Son. Don’t fight it, let it happen. Just remember, it’s not always easy or comfortable. Behind...
James 1:3 – Refined Perseverance
knowing that the proving of your faith brings about patience. Truth to Learn The Christian pathway is not an easy one; in fact, it is downright difficult, filled with potholes and uphill battles. But, instead of seeing these as indications of God’s displeasure, we should take delight in them. Behind...
James 1:2 – Joyful in Trials
My brothers, consider it all joy when you fall into various trials, Truth to Learn Trials come to make us stronger Christians. They are not to be feared and avoided. They are to be embraced and endured. Behind the Words “Count” is translated from a form of the Greek word...
James 1:1 – A Slave’s Greeting
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion: Greetings. Truth to Learn With salvation comes humility, not pride. Behind the Words The word translated “slave” is doulos, meaning “one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another.” This...
James – Introduction
James – Introduction There has probably been more discussion regarding the author and date of this letter than any other book of the New Testament. Clearly, neither the author nor the date of writing can be definitively identified. What will be provided here is a presentation of the major discussion...
Ministry Starting-up Again
About a year and a half ago I got very discouraged when Thomas Nelson Publishing refused to give me rights to use the NKJV translation for the e-book I was planning to release for the Book of James daily verse studies. During that time I have been doing a lot...
Please pray with me for this ministry!
Please join me in prayer and fasting As you may have noticed, this ministry has been inactive for a number of months now. The reason for this hiatus is deeply personal and, I must confess, perhaps even selfish. Over the past week I have sensed that God is about to do...
1 Corinthians 4:5 – All Knowing Judge
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. Truth to Learn Let God be the judge of other people’s ministry. Behind the...
1 Corinthians 4:4 – The Final Judge
For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Truth to Learn Serve God with diligence and with a humble spirit. Don’t worry about what others say. Behind the Words “I know” is translated from the Greek...
1 Corinthians 4:3 – The Master’s Judgment
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. Truth to Learn Don’t worry about what others say but what God says. Behind the Words “With” is translated from the...
1 Corinthians 4:2 – Trustworthy Stewards
Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. Truth to Learn Preachers and teachers must be believable and trustworthy. Behind the Words The word “moreover” is translated from the Greek words, hōde loipon. Hōde is an adverb of place. That is, it describes the action of the...
1 Corinthians 4:1 – God’s Assistants
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Truth to Learn A teacher’s words reveal his image of himself, under Christ. Behind the Words The words “let … consider” are translated from the Greek verb logidzomai. This word is based on...
1 Corinthians 3:23 – Owned By God
And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Truth to Learn All things are ours, but we are owned servants of God. Meaning Explained In the previous verse, Paul gave a fairly concise description of what Christians possess as God’s children. Lest we get puffed up by our possessions (whether...
1 Corinthians 3:22 – All Has Been Given
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I know it has been awhile since I sent out my last verse. I have had to take a little time off to re-evaluate this ministry. As you may know, since last December, I have been seeking permission from Thomas Nelson (Harper Collins...
1 Corinthians 3:21 – Focus on Him
Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: Truth to Learn We need to keep our focus on God and humbly serve Him. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from the Greek word hōste. This word is made up of hōs, meaning “as” and the particle...
1 Corinthians 3:20 – God’s Way, Not the World’s
and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Truth to Learn God’s way is the only way to present God’s truths. Behind the Words The word translated “again” is palin. This is probably derived from pale, which refers to a back-and-forth struggle. Palin means...
1 Corinthians 3:19 – Wisdom or Foolishness?
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; Truth to Learn Good’s foolishness is better than the world’s wisdom. Behind the Words Kosmos is the Greek word translated “world.” It refers to “order” or “arrangement.” It...
1 Corinthians 3:18 – When Wisdom is Foolish
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. Truth to Learn Use your gifts with wisdom, but not worldly wisdom. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “deceive” is exapataō. This word...
1 Corinthians 3:17 – Destruction Equals Destruction
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Truth to Learn Destroying a church has dire consequences. Behind the Words “Anyone” is translated from the indefinite pronoun tis, which means “someone,” “a certain one,” or “anyone.”...
1 Corinthians 3:16 – We Are God’s Temple
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? Truth to Learn The body of Christ (the church) is the Temple of God. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “know” is eidō, which means “to see.” However, it...
1 Corinthians 3:15 – Enduring or Flammable?
If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Truth to Learn We need to build with enduring works, not flammable works. Behind the Words Katakaiō is the Greek word translated “burned.” It is made up of kata, meaning...
1 Corinthians 3:14 – Crowns of Victory
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. Truth to Learn Our works in building up the church will be tested by fire and the good works will result in a reward. Behind the Words “Anyone’s” is translated from a form of tis,...
1 Corinthians 3:13 – The Fire Test
each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. Truth to Learn We need to be working in the church for God’s glory. Behind the Words “Each...
1 Corinthians 3:12 – Church Building Materials
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, Truth to Learn We all need to be mindful of how we build the church. Behind the Words “Builds” is from apoikomeō, which we saw back in verse ten, meaning “to build a structure.” The...
1 Corinthians 3:11 – A Sure Foundation
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn The church can only be as strong as its foundation. Behind the Words The word translated “other” is allos, meaning “another of the same kind.” A similar Greek word, heteros, means...
1 Corinthians 3:10 – Construction Gifts
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. Truth to Learn Christians are to use their gifts to build up the...
1 Corinthians 3:9 – Builder or Spectator?
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. Truth to Learn Every Christian is assigned a task in building God’s church and we all need to be hard at work, not just watching. Behind the Words In this verse, each time the word “God’s”...