Saul of Tarsus thought he was doing God’s work. He hunted Christians, dragged them out of their homes, and approved gleefully when the were put to death. Then on the road to Damascus, everything changed. A blinding light stunned him and the voice of Jesus confronted him directly. The man who once tried to destroy … Read more
Sometimes doing the right thing costs you something. Daniel knew the law had changed. Praying to God was now illegal. The penalty was the lion’s den. He prayed anyway. Righteousness does not mean life will be easy. It means choosing what is right even when the consequences are real. This is the Breastplate of Righteousness. … Read more
Sometimes telling the truth can make things worse. You know it might start an argument. You know it might upset someone. It would be easier to stay quiet and let things slide. But sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better, and sometimes people need to hear the truth. The prophet Nathan faced … Read more
The name James was very common in the first century. Like all the Tylers and Alexes at my workplace! They were everywhere! James comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jacob. Because several men in the New Testament share this name, the Gospel writers and early church leaders often identify each James by … Read more
James, the brother of Jesus, became one of the most important leaders of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. Although Jesus’ brothers did not initially believe in Him, James later became a prominent figure among the apostles and elders. He played a key role in the Jerusalem Council and is traditionally understood to be the … Read more
James, the son of Alphaeus, was one of the Twelve apostles. This is not the same James who was the brother of John. Different James. Very little is recorded about him in Scripture compared with some of the other apostles. He is sometimes associated with “James the Less,” mentioned among the women at the crucifixion … Read more
James, the son of Zebedee, was one of the Twelve apostles and the brother of John; together, Jesus nicknamed them the Sons of Thunder. Jesus called the two brothers while they were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. James was part of Jesus’ inner circle along with Peter and John and was present at key … Read more
MATTHEW* One of the Twelve apostles* Former tax collector* Eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry JOHN* One of the Twelve apostles* Brother of James, son of Zebedee, (Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”)* Part of Jesus’ inner circle with Peter and James MARK* Not one of the Twelve* Companion of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas* Gospel widely believed … Read more
Sometimes temptation shows up as the easy way out. After forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus was starving when the Tempter came to Him. The suggestion seemed innocuous. Turn the stones into bread, eat them so you won’t be hungry. Solve the problem. End the hunger. Take the shortcut. But Jesus responded with … Read more
Sometimes it all seems lost. There is no hope at all. Only darkness seems to lie ahead. Two criminals were crucified beside Jesus. One joined the crowd in mocking him. The other saw something different. He admitted his own guilt and recognized that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In the middle of that hopelessness, he … Read more