James explains how to ask for wisdom after describing how to have joy in difficulties. James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for …
James gives us the solution for immature faith: trials and trouble. James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, …
Who was James? The writer of the Epistle of James was the half-brother of Jesus, who became a prominent leader in the church in Jerusalem. James humbly calls himself a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. James wrote this letter during a time of transition. There was both religious and political turmoil …
The writer of Hebrews shows us that there is no reincarnation. Hebrews 9: 27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. 28 So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal …
Shedding of blood and forgiveness is why Jesus came to this earth. Hebrews 9:22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. [1] Some people said that the death of Jesus on the cross proved he was not who He …
Believers have an eternal inheritance, which is so fantastic that it is hard to comprehend God’s amazing plan for His children. All this is possible because Jesus gave His life for us on the cross to pay for our sins. Hebrews 9:14 For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God …
The Old Covenant was temporary until Jesus established the New Covenant or agreement with humanity. Hebrews 8:13 When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear. [1] Many people confuse the terms Old Covenant and Old Testament. The Old …
As you read through the Old Testament, it points to Jesus, the final sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system required animal sacrifices to provide a temporary covering for sins. This foreshadowed the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus. God’s word in Hebrews 9:22 tells us that animal sacrifice was essential because there is …
The writer of Hebrews shows us Christ, the mediator priest. We generally picture a mediator as one who helps solve contract disputes. A mediator occupies a middle position to intervene and bring agreement between two conflicted parties. When we hear the word “priest,” we may think of a Catholic or Episcopalian priest. Perhaps we think …
The writer of Hebrews infers that the Temple and its items are copies of things in heaven. Hebrews 9: 11 So Christ…has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world… 23 That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were …