“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have […]
Author: Stephen Trammell
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Tim 1:5 (NIV) Does your faith come across to others as sincere? Do others detect the genuineness of your faith? That kind of faith is […]
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Finishing Strong
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 […]
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God’s Will (7)
“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17 (NIV) What would God have you do today? Did you know that God has a “to-do” list for you for today? God wants you to be saved! God wants you to grow spiritually! God wants you to share […]
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God’s Will (6)
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you […]
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God’s Will (5)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) God’s will is that you be saved. The heart of God is for world redemption. The ultimate price has been paid for […]
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God’s Will (4)
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV) God’s will involves listening. God speaks to us through the Bible. As you read the Bible, you read God’s revelation. God’s will is that you obey His Word. God also speaks through prayer. As you connect with […]
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God’s Will (3)
“Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’” John 5:17 (NIV) God’s will involves identifying where God is at work. Jesus said that God is always at work. The question is not, is God at work, but where is God at work. As […]
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God’s Will (2)
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Prov 27:1 (NIV) We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow. God is eternal. God was never born and He will never die. God is infinite and we are finite. God is all-knowing and […]
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God’s Will (1)
God’s will involves prayer. Prayer is aligning your life with God’s agenda. God has a plan for your life. He has a purpose for you to fulfill. How do you get connected to that purpose and plan? Through alignment! Prayer is the avenue through which we connect with God. He has already broken down the […]
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 (NIV) Grace is getting what we do not deserve. We do not deserve God’s forgiveness, salvation, reconciliation, favor, blessing, and heaven. But God demonstrates His love by gracing us with that which […]
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Pride and Humility (5)
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 (NIV) Over the years I have experimented with different ways to enhance my daily intimacy with God. I have utilized the daily devotional by Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for His Highest” […]
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV) Jesus is our portrait of humility. The devil is our portrait of pride. Jesus came to earth to fulfill the Father’s will. The devil came in rebellion to thwart God’s agenda. As an angel of God, the devil […]
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Pride and Humility (3)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV) Rebellion against God is rooted in pride. Submission to God is rooted in humility. Rebellion brings harm and punishment. Submission brings relief and reward. Knowing that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble, the child […]
“You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” […]
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Pride and Humility (1)
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” James 4:1 (NIV) Have you ever been in a fight? Have you ever quarreled with someone and sought to get your way at any cost? Can you imagine that kind of behavior among believers? James identifies the reality […]
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NIV) Here’s an overview of what we have learned from the first three chapters of James. Respond properly to trials from without. Respond properly to temptations from within. […]
“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Eccl 12:14 (NIV) As you revere God and obey Him, you will be obtaining and employing heavenly wisdom. Another essential to doing life God’s way is portraying the life of Christ. God pursued you with His love […]
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl 12:13 (NIV) Another essential to doing life God’s way is obedience. Revering God is demonstrated through obeying God. Solomon recognized the priority of doing life God’s way. After […]
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The Good Life (4)
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl 12:13 (NIV) Imagine enjoying a cup of coffee at Starbuck’s with one of the wisest men to ever live, Solomon. That’s right! You are sitting across from Solomon […]
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The Good Life (3)
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV) Doing life God’s way involves obtaining and employing heavenly wisdom. What does that kind of wisdom look like? James has already explained the components of earthly wisdom […]
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The Good Life (2)
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:14-16 (NIV) […]
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The Good Life (1)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 (NIV) What does the good life look like? The good life is doing life God’s way. God has created you for His glory. You are here to fulfill […]
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Stick Out Your Tongue (7)
Has your tongue ever gotten you in trouble? Examine the following verses to get a glimpse of how God views the words you speak. “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” Psalms 34:12-13 (NIV) “He who guards his lips […]
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Stick Out Your Tongue (6)
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8 (NIV) As a child, my favorite part of the circus was watching the lions do tricks at […]
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Stick Out Your Tongue (5)
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.” Psalms 51:3-4 (NIV) Aligning your heart with God’s heart is vital if your are […]
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Stick Out Your Tongue (4)
“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” James 3:2 (NIV) One of the marks of spiritual maturity is controlling the tongue. James is saying that if you control your tongue you will be […]
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Stick Out Your Tongue (3)
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26 (NIV) Have you ever said something that you wish you could retrieve? We have all been there. The experience was painful and regretful. If only we could have thought […]
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Stick Out Your Tongue (2)
Did you know that every chapter of James addresses your speech? Your conversation and your conduct will indicate the spiritual condition of your heart. Read through these verses slowly and allow God to speak to you about your speech. “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak […]
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Stick Out Your Tongue (1)
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matt 12:33-34 […]