December 30, 2024
We Have Been There Before
God has helped us in ages past, and he won’t forsake us in the new year ahead.
Articles for tag: James 4:1
September 23, 2024
September 29 Application | Bowing Down: Worship’s Forgotten Posture
Even if our bodies stiffen with age, our hearts should bow in reverence before the holy Lord. An old proverb rightly reminds us, “The taller the stalk grows and the more grain it bears, the lower it bends.”
March 13, 2023
March 19 | Application (‘The Lowest Point on Earth’)
When you find yourself in low places—morally, physically, relationally, or circumstantially—the God of grace is able to repair your “broken walls” and restore what seems ruined (Amos 9:11). . . .
November 7, 2022
November 13 | A Heart That Is Humble
Psalm 8 and Psalm 131 can easily be juxtaposed. Psalm 8 celebrates the worth and dignity of humankind as cocreators, while Psalm 131 celebrates the humility of humankind. . . .
February 15, 2021
Feb 21 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. In what specific ways did you act with love and mercy toward others last week? 2. What opportunity came your way or what challenge did you face as you acted with love and mercy? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 3:1-12 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passage. 3. In general, why should we be careful with what we say? 4. Let’s dig deeper into this Bible passage:
April 11, 2013
How to Handle Criticism
By Ryan Connor Criticism cuts deep. It cuts marriages apart. It cuts friendships to shreds. For those in church leadership, criticism cuts the legs out from under their ministries. Criticism cuts us down. But it can also cut us open and show us what we might not otherwise see. Criticism may present opportunities for important and needed change. In short, criticism cuts both ways. Criticism is an insult attached to a complaint. The problem is blamed on a defect in the other person”s character, typically with global terms like always and never. For example, a spouse may complain to her
