Bible Verses

The Book Of James

Who wrote the book of James: James, the brother of Jesus When was it written: 48 to 50 A.D.

The book of James is one of the New Testament books referred to as a ‘general letter’. The general letters are written to Christians in general, rather than to a specific church (like Ephesians, for example).

This does not mean that the letters written to the specific churches are any less important and relevant to Christians then, now, and in the future. It simply means they speak in general terms of Christian conduct rather than addressing specific problems the churches were facing (and still face).

Overview Of The Book Of James In The Bible

We know from reading the four books of the gospel writers that Jesus’ siblings were not strong supporters of his ministry in the beginning. In fact, in Mark 3:20-33, we read that they were embarrassed by their brother’s ministry…..that they did not believe their oldest brother was the Son of the one true God.

Jesus’ appearance to James wasn’t a coincidence. Neither was it because he and James shared an extra-special brotherly bond. It was undoubtedly because he (Jesus) saw in James the great teacher and Church leader he turned out to be.

Yes, that’s right. James because a prominent leader in the early church in Jerusalem. James pastored, taught, and encouraged the early Christians as they went through the growing pains of going from Judaism to Christianity.

He shepherded them through the persecution and ridicule they faced; focusing on everyday living and Christian character rather than doctrinal issues. James tells us what it is and means to be truly faithful, truly wise, and truly religious.

As you read through the list of things we learn from the book of James, I ask that you do so with the mindset of measuring your own life against James words of wise instruction because when you look in the mirror or when others look at you, the person

James describes it as the person you need to see staring back and you and the person others need to see.

What We Learn From The Book Of James

We are to view the trials we face with joy and with the attitude that we will learn from them and allow them to grow and mature our faith in God. (1:2)

When our faith grows because of the difficult situations and difficult times we face, we also develop perseverance. (1:4)

Key Themes In The Book Of James Explained

All we have to do in order to gain wisdom is ask God for it. (1:5)

We MUST believe and not doubt. Otherwise, we will receive nothing from God. (1:6-7)

Rich or poor—it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we have a heart of humility toward God. (1:9-11)

We will be blessed when we persevere through hardships without losing faith. (1:12)

God does not tempt us. Temptations come from the evil desires Satan places in our hearts and minds. (1:14)

Living a lifestyle that gives in to temptations results in spiritual death. (1:15)

EVERY good thing comes from God and only God. (1:17)

We are to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. (1:19)

We are to get rid of all anger, moral filth, and evil thoughts we have. (1:21)

Book Of James Commentary

It’s not enough to know what God’s Word says. We have to live it 24/7 in order for it to be real and relevant…for our faith to be real and relevant. (1:22)

We are to keep a tight rein on our tongue (what we say). Otherwise, our religion is worthless. (1:26)

God’s definition of religion: To look after orphans and widows and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (1:27)

We aren’t to show favoritism toward people based on their looks, their social status, their heritage (race, etc.), or their popularity. We are to love everyone and treat everyone the way we want them to treat us. (2:8-9)

Sin is sin—none is greater or lesser than another in God’s eyes. (2:10-12

We are to extend mercy to others rather than pass judgment on them. (2:13)

NOTE: Judgement is not the same as holding someone accountable for falling away from God’s direct commands.

We are saved by faith—a faith that is demonstrated by its deeds. Faith and deeds go hand in hand. Without deeds faith isn’t faith…it is lip service. (2:14-26)

Teachers of the Word will be judged with more scrutiny than those who are not teachers of the Word. (3:1)

Not everyone is called to teach the Word of God on a broad scale, but we are all called to share the Word of God with those around us. (3:1)

We are not perfect, as in sinless, but we should strive to be perfect as in striving to be like God in all ways. (3:2)

An excellent message containing analogies on keeping ourselves in check. (3:3-12)

What is wisdom? It is living a good life of deeds done in humility out of a love for God and a desire to love as he loves. Godly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial, and sincere, and includes acts of service and ministering to the needs of others. (3:13 and 17)

We are to get rid of any bitterness, envy, and selfish ambition we are harboring in our hearts. (3:14)

Having a worldview of wisdom leads to earthly, unspiritual ways of thinking and acting. These things are from the devil and should be avoided at all costs. (3:15-16)
Conflict is nearly always the result of fighting to get our own way. (4:1-2)

We are to ask God for what we want. But when we ask with wrong or impure motives, or when we ask for things that go against God’s expectations and desires for our life, we should not expect to grant our requests. Why? Because God will never give us anything contrary to his perfect will for our lives. (4:2-3)

When we submit to God, the devil doesn’t stand a chance with us. (4:7)

God will never push himself on us or force his will on us. But when we come near to him, he welcomes us with loving and open arms; drawing us close to his side. (4:8)
When we humble ourselves before God he blesses us. (4:10)

Biblical Perspective On The Book Of James

God is the judge of man. (4:12)

We should seek God’s will for our lives in all things and make our plans accordingly. (4:13-16)

Anyone who knows the right and Godly thing to do, but doesn’t do it, is guilty of sin. (4:17)

Warnings for making money and wealth a priority and the basis of your identity. (5:1-6)

We are to be patient and kind to one another. (5:7-8)

We are to be people of integrity—men/women of our word. (5:12)

James Bible Study Guide For Personal Growth

We are to be people of prayer and people who willingly and joyfully offer up praises to God. (5:13)

God is a healer. (5:14-15)

We are to confess our sins to God and to each other. (5:16)

There is tremendous power in prayer. (5:16-17)

We are to hold our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable for their actions, and they are to do the same for us. Additionally, when we see a fellow Christian falling away from God and choosing a lifestyle of sin, we should try to win that person back to Christ. (5:19-20)

The Book Of Hebrews

Who wrote the book of Hebrews: We are unsure of the authorship of Hebrews, but many theologians believe Barnabas or Luke may have written it.

When was it written: 70 A.D., which was just prior to the fall of Jerusalem

History tells us that at the time the Book of Hebrews was written, the Church was undergoing severe persecution. Those who claimed to be or were suspected of being Christians were beaten, imprisoned, or at the very least, shunned by those who weren’t.

The pressure of persecution had two very different effects on the people. For some, the persecution only served to strengthen their determination and resilience to live out their faith.

Others, however, were scared and confused. Was this new faith really something to go to prison for? To possibly even die for? Was it worth losing your friends and extended family over?

The book of Hebrews is the answer to those questions. And the answers are always a resounding YES! Following Christ and giving him your whole life always has been, always is, and always will be absolutely, positively worth it. No matter what the cost of Christianity here on earth, the reward of heaven will be greater than we can imagine.

It was for those who were tempted to return to Judaism in order to avoid persecution.

And in order to do that, the writer emphasized over and over again that bigger and better things were waiting for them. All they had to do was remain faithful.

The fact that Jesus Christ has been given ultimate authority by God, that he is the mediator between us and God, and that he is the all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins, is clearly the book’s theme. Faith in these things is the other resounding theme of Hebrews. The faith of those who came long before the Church

What We Learn From The Book Of Hebrews

God changed his method of communication. Prior to Jesus’ life here on earth, God communicated with us through the prophets. Jesus’ ministry, however, changed all of that. With the coming of Jesus, there was no more need for prophets because Jesus was (and is) the fulfillment of everything God said through the prophets.

Therefore, the inspired Word of God, which is the Bible, is all we need. Messages/sermons based on anything other than the scripture are false teachings. Furthermore, anyone coming after Jesus who said they were or who says they are a prophet is also a false teacher. (1:1-2)

Jesus is an “exact representation” of God’s being. After Jesus returned to the Father in heaven, he sat down at God’s right hand to wait for the day God deemed right for his return. (1:3 and 1:5-9))

Jesus is higher than the angels. (1:4)

God is the creator of the world and is all-powerful, supreme, and eternal. (1:10-12)

Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit eternal salvation. (1:14)

We are to be mindful of what we hear and listen to so that we are not led astray. (2:1)

The proof of salvation through Jesus has been offered through miraculous signs and wonders and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for those who have been saved. (2:4)

Everything is subject to Jesus’ authority. (2:8-9)

Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for our sins; saving us from eternal suffering in hell. (2:9)

Jesus’ human existence made it possible for him to literally understand our temptations and help us overcome them. (2:18)

We are to fix our thoughts on Jesus, the faithful one. (3:1)

We are to be vigilant against having a sinful heart that turns us away from God. (3:12)

We are to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to remain faithful and to keep looking upward and forward toward our eternal reward in heaven. (3:13-14)

God does not and will not withhold his anger against the rebellious and unbelieving. (3:16-19)

We are to observe a day of rest. (4:9-11)

God’s Word is living, breathing, and active. It judges our thoughts and attitudes. It looks at and knows the heart of each and every one of us. (4:12-3)

We will all stand before God and give an account for our lives. (4:13)

In living a faithful, obedient life, we can have confidence that we will receive God’s grace and mercy. (4:16)

everyone is meant to be a preacher/evangelist of a congregation. It is a calling from God. (5:4)

Jesus also had to submit in obedience to God. His death proved that he was. (5:8-9)

We are to consistently strive to mature in our relationship with God through studying and understanding God’s Word and by growing our faith. (5:12 to 6:3)

There is a danger of rejecting the truth and distancing ourselves so far from God that it is impossible to come back to God in repentance. It is impossible because their hearts are so hardened and Satan has such a firm grip on them that they no longer have it in them to turn back to the truth. (6:4-8)

God is patient but we should not test his patience. (6:10-12)

The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect and sinless son of God, was necessary because we are powerless to attain perfection on our own or in the keeping of the Mosaic Law. (7:11)

An explanation of the Old Law priesthood being replaced by Jesus, the ultimate priest, (chapters 7, 8, and 9) NOTE: This was especially important due to the fact that those the letter was addressed to were contemplating returning to Judaism and the Old Law.

We are to come to God with a sincere heart and full acceptance of him in faith. (10:22-23)

If we deliberately keep on sinning after accepting Christ as Savior, our salvation is not real. And as a result of our lack of commitment, we have only the judgment and raging fires of hell to look forward to. (10:26-27).

NOTE: This is NOT the same as sinning (losing our temper on occasion, ignoring the opportunity to witness to the young couple in the store, or things like that. The deliberate sinning spoken of here is repetitive and intentional.

Those who hear the truth and reject it are worse than those who never accept it for lack of hearing. (10:29)

The definition of faith. (11:1-3)

A faith “hall of fame”. (11:4-39)

We are to get rid of anything and everything in our lives standing between us and God. (12:1-2)

We are to persevere and not give up. (11:3)

Hard hips and difficult circumstances should be viewed and served as a discipline by God. (12:8)

NOTE: This does not mean God causes everything bad that happens to us to happen. It simply means he often uses it to discipline us.

Discipline isn’t pleasant, but it is necessary in order for us to learn and grow. (12:11-13)

We are to make every possible effort to get along with everyone. In doing so we are setting an example of holiness. (12:14)

We are to love everyone and help those in need. In doing so we might actually entertain/help one of God’s angels. (13:2)

We are to be sexually pure and completely faithful to our spouse. (13:4)

We are to be content with what we have and not fall into the sin of loving money and the things it can buy. (13:5)

We are to remember those who have spoken God’s Word to us and set an example of how we are to live. We are to imitate their faith. (13:7)

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never change. (13:8)

Don’t let false teachers get in your head or your heart. (13:9)

Submit to your congregation’s leadership as far as it is in exact teaching of God’s Word so that you can serve and minister as we are called to do. (13:15-17)

A Crying God

This shortest verse in the entire Bible reveals one of the most profound truths of the Christian faith: that our God is not uncaring and aloof from our problems but can understand and feel our pain.

I’m the kind of person who cries when I see someone else crying. Even movie and TV tears can have me reaching for tissues.

John 11:35 Commentary On Jesus Weeping

Why do I feel such emotion for people I don’t even know? Because I have had my share of suffering, hurt, and loss, and I can imagine how they feel.

That’s part of why I find this verse in John’s Gospel so powerful. John 11 tells us that Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, were close friends and devoted followers of Jesus.

One day the two sisters came to Jesus with troubling news: Lazarus was gravely ill.

By the time Jesus and his disciples returned to Bethany, Lazarus was dead.

Mary was brokenhearted and grieved for her lost brother. Others who had known him wept along with her.

Jesus joined in with them, shedding his own tears of sorrow for a beloved old friend.

The passage doesn’t tell us how long Jesus cried or give us any details about the sorrow that touched his heart.

It simply says: “Jesus wept.” Then Jesus called: “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus emerged from his tomb, his smelly grave clothes dangling from his face, hands, and feet.

Over the centuries, Christians have cherished this amazing passage, which demonstrates Jesus’ power over life and death.

But by focusing on the dramatic miracle of Lazarus’s resurrection, have we overlooked the importance of Jesus’ tears?

The Meaning Of John 11:35 “Jesus Wept”

The gods of most world religions are too removed from the common concerns of human life to feel our pain or shed a tear.

Muhammad is commonly portrayed as a brave warrior, not a sorrowful soul. Statues of Buddha look stone-faced and stoic. Some Hindu gods are angry and vengeful.

Jesus is different. Out of love for us, he left his Father in heaven and became a human being so he could reach us right where we were.

For more than thirty years, he walked this earth, tasting the joys and tragedies of ordinary life.

A Crying God: The Humanity Of Jesus In John 11:35

In time his deep love would lead him to pay the ultimate price—sacrificing his own life on the cross in order to save us from our sin.

Jesus’ tears show that he feels as we do.

As with our own tears, his came only after he could no longer contain the swelling waves of sorrow.

The droplets that spilled down his face reveal that he can understand our broken dreams, our dashed hopes, and the many pains that come from dealing with life and loss.

John 11:35 Study Guide

Jesus understands, and the Savior who raised Lazarus will someday raise us.

God, thank you for sharing the pain I often feel in this life. May sorrow and tears cleanse my heart and deepen my love.

Bible Verse on Serving

Serving Them Serves Christ

Jesus spent thirty years preparing for his three years of ministry.

His “final exam” was to undergo an intense forty-day period of testing and tempting by the devil in the desert.

After he passed this grueling test, Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth and delivered these stunning lines from the prophet Isaiah:

From that day on, Jesus traveled throughout the countryside, healing the sick, caring for the poor, exorcising demons from the possessed, and preaching the gospel of salvation.

Bible Verse on Serving

Jesus’ words are some of the most beautiful and powerful ones ever spoken, but his ministry was much more than a matter of words.

As he continually demonstrated, serving God requires an active, hands-on response to people’s pains and problems.

He told us as much in the passage from Matthew. It shows Jesus sitting on a throne of judgment, dividing all of humanity into two groups: the sheep and the goats.

The sheep are those people who did the things Jesus described in verses 35-36. The goats are those people who did not do these things.

But the sheep wondered when they had performed these ministries. Jesus’ answer was clear and unmistakable: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (v. 40).

In other words, when we feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, show hospitality to the stranger, clothe those who are naked, and visit those in prison, we are actually doing these things to Jesus.

He didn’t explain exactly how this works. This is one of the many mysteries of the faith.

But in his words and in his actions, Jesus demonstrated the eternal importance of putting our faith into action. Whether or not we do so is our “final exam.”

Father, help me reach out to those in need, for in doing so I am ministering to your Son.

God Protects Us

Our train pulled into the station at Haarlem, The Netherlands, and I couldn’t wait to get to the watch shop that had belonged to the family of Corrie Ten Boom.

Corrie’s family hid Jews in their home during the Nazi occupation of Holland, and she went on to be a famous Christian speaker and writer.

The current owners give tours of the living quarters located above the shop.

Psalm 32:7 Meaning: “You Are My Hiding Place; You Will Protect Me”

“There it is!” I pointed and sprinted off ahead of Steve.

On this sunny June day, there was no evidence of the dark time in Holland’s history when the sound of Gestapo boots echoed off the cobbled streets.

The Ten Boom watch shop is now a jewelry store on the corner of a bustling tourist thoroughfare. Flowers bloom brightly and children laugh and play without fear.

Bible Verses About God As A Hiding Place (Psalm 32:7)

But Steve and I remembered images from the movie about Corrie’s life, The Hiding Place and we reverently walked up the narrow stairs to the living quarters. Much of the Ten Boom’s family furniture was still in place.

Trusting God In Trials – Lessons From Psalm 32:7

Psalm 32:7 Explained: God’S Protection And Deliverance

It was easy to picture the family and their Jewish guests sitting around the dining room table, alert for the sound of the Gestapo, but sharing food and conversation like any group of friends would do.

On the next level up we saw Corrie’s bedroom and the famous concealed “closet” that safely hid a whole family of Jews. Our guide told of the day that the Gestapo took Corrie and her family to a concentration camp.

You Are My Hiding Place – Biblical Assurance (Psalm 32:7)

One would think that after her arrest Corrie might have expressed disappointment in God since the hiding place led to her own imprisonment.

But no. This valiant lady maintained an encouraging spirit while in the camp and became an example to all who know her story that God’s safety follows us everywhere . . . even to and beyond the grave.

God’S Protection From Trouble (Psalm 32:7)

When the Lord is our hiding place, we are safe no matter what happens. Oh, we may suffer or even die, but our souls are safely carried into his presence in heaven.

And we can experience the powerful presence of God the same way that Corrie did in the prison camp.

Our circumstances may be truly threatening, but inside we feel the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). We are safe.

Psalm 32:7 And Songs Of Deliverance

If our view of God demands that our circumstances be pleasant, we will miss the blessing of feeling safe in the midst of danger.

Corrie Ten Boom knew that her own “hiding place” was in God’s hands— so is ours.

Father, thank you for the strength you gave to Corrie Ten Boom and for her testimony of faith. Grant me strength, too.

The Grace That Saves Us

One of our dear friends heads an international Christian ministry. He and his wife have lived in Europe for more than twenty years.

We met them for dinner while Steve and I were in London a few years ago, and I asked him what he thought Christians in America needed most.

This man travels around the world several times a year, so his perspective embraces more of a global view of Christianity than ours does.

Colossians 4:6 Commentary On Grace-Filled Speech

Without hesitation, he said, “Grace.”

Wow! A quick and concise answer.

He went on to explain that he grieved over the petty arguments he witnessed so much of the time when visiting with believers in the United States.

He saw the lost condition of much of the world as more important than many of the “in-house” differences we squabbled about.

I was reminded of many cutting words Steve endured when he worked as the religion editor at a Colorado newspaper.

Meaning Of “Let Your Speech Be Always With Grace” Explained

Most of these hurtful remarks came from Christians who were critical of him for covering religious stories in an impartial way.

And lest I be ungracious myself, let me confess that I have been the queen of sarcasm on many occasions.

Paul called us to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) and Solomon told us that iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17), but I do think the “evil one” wreaks havoc among believers when he tempts us to emphasize judgmental words instead of gracious interaction.

Colossians 4:6 Bible Study Guide

One of the most gracious people I know is my friend Marian. She is a sincerely kind person who always gives people the benefit of the doubt.

I have been with her and seen her words and manner turn a potential confrontation into a friendly encounter.

Biblical Perspective On Colossians 4:6

A few years ago we were in a grocery store checkout lane when a woman butted in front of Marian. I couldn’t believe it, and I was ready to tell this woman to step to the rear.

Before I could say a word, Marian smiled at her and stepped back to let her in. “Do you live around here?” Marian asked.

Colossians 4:6 Niv Meaning And Application

The woman looked surprised but answered. A few more gracious comments from Marian had this woman smiling and talking like they were old friends.

I don’t know if God will ever use that brief encounter to bring that woman to a knowledge of Jesus (if she didn’t know him already), but I do know that Marian’s attitude reflected a light that drew the woman in; it reflected the grace that God gives each of us.

No Whining, Please

The Israelites had conquered Jericho and Joshua’s “fame spread 1 throughout the land” (Josh. 6:27). But Achan disobeyed God’s order. He took some of the things that God had told the Israelites to leave alone.

God’s anger “burned against Israel” (Josh. 7:1) and they lost their next battle, suffering the death of some three thousand men. Joshua tore his clothes and fell down on the ground.

The next few verses (Josh. 7:7-9) record Joshua’s lament to God. He asked God why he had brought them to this side of the Jordan only for the enemy to defeat them.

Then in verse 10, we have God’s response: “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?”

There Joshua was in front of God the Most High, whining about circumstances, albeit grave circumstances.

When my behavior resembles Joshua’s I find myself paralyzed. I fuss about conditions that don’t seem to be my fault.

“Why am I so overtired, God? Why did you let me take on so many responsibilities that I can’t complete without burning out? Why do you want me to do so much?” Whine, whine, whine.

Then I remember this verse. I love it.

“Stand up!”

“What! Me? But I’m a mess and I’m tired and I need comfort.”

“What are you doing down on your face?”

“I’m crying out in front of you, God. Can’t I do that?”

And then I can almost see him smile. Of course, I can cry in front of God, be honest about my feelings, and go to him for comfort.

But sometimes I behave like a spoiled child. I have made some poor choices and had to live in the wake of their consequences.

I want a quick fix, a big hug. Instead, God draws me up short out of my pity and I face reality.

His words have the power to change my whining to repentance. I know that God has a lot to say about the balance and nurture of the soul.

Jesus went away by himself to pray (Matt. 14:23), and I don’t do that when I am overly busy.

I neglect the very thing that gives me life. I don’t have time for refreshment from God, so I go to him and complain about all I have to do.

Standing up and looking in the mirror works wonders. I no longer maintain the posture of a victim but come before my Father and ask his forgiveness. Then I decide what I need to do to remedy my situation.

Sometimes the solution is painful. I may have to reevaluate commitments and alter my schedule. I need to pay attention to whatever it is that I have done to render me helpless on the floor.

Then I experience God’s forgiveness and blessing. Then I stand up, to his glory Father, forgive me when I sit in self-pity.

Thank you for the strong words that changed me.

The Best Is Yet To Come

My mother and I went on a trip to Hawaii the summer before my senior year in high school.

In those days, Hawaii was a far-off destination reached after a ten-hour plane ride from the West Coast in a noisy propeller plane.

My father didn’t want to go but gave this trip to me and my mom as a generous gift.

1 Corinthians 2:9 The Best Is Yet To Come

I didn’t know a single person who had been to Hawaii, so my daydreams about it were conjured up from movies or magazine pictures I’d seen.

I couldn’t wait to sit on the beach at Waikiki and imagine its delights for months prior to our departure.

We arrived in Honolulu on a sunny morning in June, and I headed for the beach the minute I unpacked my suitcase. It was beyond my wildest imagination.

Diamond Head rose majestically in the distance and the water sparkled with sunlight dancing off the coral reefs below the surface.

1 Corinthians 2:9 Meaning And Interpretation

Hawaiian music drifted from the stage of the outdoor patio cafe and breezes rustled palm branches.

1 Corinthians 2:9 Commentary

In those days before Waikiki became a crowded tourist destination, it was idyllic.

There were no crowds, the pace of life was slow, the people unhurried in their interactions with visitors, and the natural beauty a visual feast.

Eye Has Not Seen, Nor Ear Heard KJV

God tells us that he has something far richer and deeper to enjoy than anything we can even attempt to comprehend. And this precious gift to us is not limited to the afterlife but begins when we invite Jesus into our hearts.

Though we cannot experience all God has for us this side of heaven, when we are living in deep communion with the Holy Spirit we have a taste of what this verse offers.

I had underestimated the beauty of Hawaii before I arrived there.

God’S Promises For The Future (1 Corinthians 2:9)

How much more do we all underestimate what heaven will be like? And even though this verse tells us that we won’t be able to imagine what God has planned for us, it is often comforting to allow our minds to wander to the heavens.

There is a saying: “You’re so heavenly-minded, you’re no earthly good.” I think we are so earthly-minded that we are no heavenly good.

We don’t enjoy the reality of eternal life in paradise with God forever. We are often so practical and focused on earthly cares that we miss the wonderful anticipation of heaven.

Part of our lack of anticipation is understandable given that death stands between us and heaven. But God has overcome death.

The Best Is Yet To Come Bible Verse

Paradise is actually easier to reach than Hawaii! Believing faith in Christ opens the gates of heaven to us.

We have only to think about a place of peace and beauty to sense a longing for heaven.

I was raised in the city but now enjoy walks near our home in the Colorado countryside. The sounds of birds and running brooks replace the noise of urban life.

1 Corinthians 2:9 Sermon Outline

The beauty is natural, not manufac¬tured. Just being outside gives me a glimpse of heaven. And to think that God’s wonders here are minimal compared to what he has in store for us in heaven.

Father, set our minds free to enjoy all you have for us, today and in the future. Season our earthly sorrow with the joy of knowing you and anticipating being with you eternally.

Can God Really Restore Me?

Became a widow when I was thirty-four years old. Since I had married when I was not quite twenty-one, I had no experience as a single adult in the Christian world.

A dear girlfriend warned me about my outgoing behavior and how it could get me into trouble.

She told me that a lot of men, married and single, would think that I was flirting with them.

I dismissed her warning with a laugh. Then her words proved to be true.

“Can God Really Restore Me?” Bible Verse

What does Psalm 40:2 mean in the Bible?

It became evident that some men were more than willing to relieve my loneliness and to excuse immoral behavior with a belief that God “understood.”

I stopped hugging men I didn’t know well and prayed for a spirit of discernment about my own motives in relationships.

Psalm 40:2 Meaning

About the same time, I started speaking at women’s conferences and retreats. Because the women I met were anonymous to me they openly shared their stories.

I was shocked to hear how many Christian women and men were involved in sexual entanglements. The mud and the mire seemed impossible for many to avoid. So many times I heard the words, “God can never forgive me.

I have messed up my whole life. I will never be restored again.”

In Psalm 40 we read one of the many laments of David, and we have good reason to be encouraged. David’s sins were many, and yet God restored him.

I have had so many conversations with women who find themselves in a pit they never anticipated. Their lives have become so entwined with wrongdoing that they see no way to unravel the mess.

Psalm 40:2 Bible verse

But God’s power working in their lives can bring them back up out of that pit. They, like David, will suffer consequences for their sins, but also like David, they will be able to praise God for turning their lives around.

How does he do that?

It is really beyond our ability to comprehend the love of God that cleanses us of our sins by the death of his Son on the cross.

The cross is the scalpel that cuts out the disease in all of us and replaces it with the healing touch of God.

Bible Verses About Restoration And Hope

When we admit our faults, turn from them, and ask God to forgive us, we find ourselves able to make wise choices as never before.

We will still struggle, but we will be standing on a firm foundation.

God’s Power To Restore In Psalm 40:2

Psalm 40 NIV study guide

It isn’t an easy transition but it is possible, and it is worth the effort.

We can embrace the power to see ourselves from God’s perspective: as forgiven and loved.

Father, protect us from the dangers of the many pitfalls in life that can cause us to sin against you.

Contrary To Culture

This verse expresses two truths that can absolutely revolutionize the life of the believer who grasps them: we can be changed so much that we are actually transformed, and as a result, we can discern God’s will.

The first part of this verse confronts us with “the pattern of this world.” Certainly one of the glaring realities of our world today is the pluralism that insists any belief is equal to any other belief.

Because of this acceptance of all things as true, the establishment of moral absolutes seems too rigid for our culture to tolerate.

The “pattern” of ever-growing self-actualization has elevated individualism to a place of honor in the ranks of desirable human characteristics.

As long as any individual’s beliefs do not hurt others, society considers them valid and acceptable.

There is no common measure of what is true and what is false, allowing a multitude of philosophies and doctrines to coexist.

The problem with this attitude for the Christian is that the claims of Christ render judgment—an appalling word in a world that values personal prerogative above all else.

The pattern of today’s world insists on multiple views of a greater power that often resembles God, but God is the loving grandfather in the sky.

We as believers in the powerful God of Scripture must wrestle with this tempting image and embrace God as we know his Word reveals him.

And we can do that because the amazing characteristic of God that coexists with judgment is grace.

Grace, most dramatically displayed in the cross, is what beckons our thoughts toward renewal—toward a “renewed mind.” The verb renew comes from a Greek word that means to “remember again,” as in thinking back to the moment we understood and accepted the gospel.

It is the comprehension of God’s grace and mercy that transforms our thinking from self-centered to Christ-centered.

The very fact that we can change our minds while living in an environment that so counters Christianity is a powerful and exciting truth.

And the bonus that transformed thinking brings is to be able to “test and approve” what the will of God is.

We can navigate our lives in ways that give discernment, think in ways that are informed by the Holy Spirit, and live renewed, transformed by God’s power operating in our lives.

This kind of change doesn’t happen quickly. There is no formula that assures immediate success.

It requires the discipline of continuously going to God’s Word, reflecting, seeking counsel, and interacting with God and the Holy Spirit through prayer.

Father, thank you for access to changed thinking that transforms us into a closer reflection of your Son. Help us to be gracious to others who think differently.