James 1:19 is certainly a verse that each of us ought to memorize. It is one of those verses that we need to hide in our heart, so that we sin against the Lord less (Psa. 119:11). There is much to emphasize in the verse, including where we often focus—be “slow to speak” and “slow to anger.” But before those two instructions is this—“be quick…

Sometimes our faith weakens. Sometimes our trust wavers. Sometimes our confidence wanes. Sometimes our priorities shift. Sometimes our devotion fades. Sometimes our desires change. And, when that happens, sometimes we fall from where we need to be. We may even “turn.” God was the one who used the word “turn” to describe the action that a mind/heart takes, which is followed by the body/life. While one may “turn TO” God…

As long as I “mostly” follow the Lord or “nearly always,” that’s good enough, right? Consider the stark contrast in Numbers 32. Joshua and Caleb “wholly followed the Lord” (32:12), and they were the ones permitted to enter the Promised Land. But “the Lord’s anger was aroused” against those who had “not wholly followed” Him (32:10-11). “Not wholly” following the Lord is equated in this text…

Here is how Paul described his state of mind in Second Corinthians chapter 7. He had had “no rest” (7:5). Sound familiar? He was “troubled on every side,” as “outside were conflicts” and “inside were fears” (7:5). Truly, Paul felt “downcast” (7:6). Have you been there before? But notice how verse 6 begins. While Paul was troubled, the next verse says, “Nevertheless God…” Think about that in your life. When…

When Jesus promised that He would “build My church” (an immutable guarantee of the establishment of a single church within the lifetime of His disciples [Mark 9:1] that would belong to Christ), He also promised that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). There is an interesting parallel that Jesus’ promise has to the prophecy of Daniel, in which…

When Jesus knew the will of God, He took it upon Himself to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). He did not reject His need to be baptized; He submitted to it in order to obey the will of God. Immediately, “a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matt. 3:17). Later, as Jesus was contemplating “His…

As the prophet Habakkuk was questioning God, the Lord responded with direct and precise instructions. Following the prophet’s second interrogation, look at what the Lord told him. “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it” (Hab. 2:2). Think about that. The Lord wanted the prophet to record the vision that he would receive from heaven, and then the…

The prophet Habakkuk cried out to the Lord in a fashion that may sound like something we might say to Him. “O Lord, HOW LONG shall I cry, and You will not hear? WHY do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble?” (Hab. 1:2-3). From the people’s perspective (that’s key), God was allowing evil to go unpunished and unchecked in Judah. “How long…