Morning Briefings

Just three verses in James chapter 5 - packed with meaning and great application for Jewish Christians in the first century and for us some 2000 years later...amazing! James 5.7-9 - listen!

James seems to be blustering about money, but was he really? Look for yourself. Use basic questions to understand Scripture passages before reading, just like we do here in James chapter 5.

'What is your favorite thing to see in Israel?' folks ask me regularly. The first place that comes to mind is Magdala - listen to this briefing to learn why. And hey, because as archaeology has shown, Scripture is true, we turn our attention back to the book of James. Join me!

My 24-hour-trip to our nation's capital to see the Dead Sea Scrolls...whoa. Yes, the Bible is trustworthy! Then, my encounter with three of DC's finest. God is good indeed!

Jesus said, 'Be My witnesses.' But how? What if I am not sure what to say? What if they ask me a question I cannot answer? How do I do it, anyway? Check it out: six different 'styles'

The last recorded words of Jesus: When the Holy Spirit comes, you will have power to be my witnesses! Knowing these were his last words ought galvanize us into action to tell what we have experienced with him as our Lord, Savior and Best Friend.

The power of the Holy Spirit sustains us through our grabbing ahold of Scripture, trusting what we know to be true of our loving, almighty God reaching out to him in prayer. Check it out.

You and I will be both weak and wimpy if we do not have fuel. What does fuel for your soul/your spiritual self look like?

How do you know if what you heard or thought you heard was from God? What if it was harsh or mean... could it have been God? What does God sound like anyway?

Does God speak? Of course he does! How? Are you listening? His voice is vital to your life.

So, wait a second - Jesus was born of Mary, right? Yes, of course, but he has always existed. hmmm... and the Holy Spirit, born on Pentecost after Jesus ascended into Heaven? Nope. Holy Spirit has always been; He is eternal, and he has been active in mankind from the start. Listen!

The Holy Spirit works in our prayers. A.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Maybe we have missed this part of God - he alone is our Comforter. Jesus told us that he would send us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit give each believer a unique gift or gifts; knowing and exercising our gifts builds up the Church, just as the good pitcher gives his baseball team a chance to win!

Being filled with the power of the Spirit requires a little intention on our part... same as our vehicles require gas (or electric) to power them.

So the Morning Briefings on the Holy Spirit, one of three Persons of the Trinity.... how can you experience him for yourself? Listen and find out!

Radio-iodine therapy...what? From a car accident? How is that possible? Because God is good and he is trustworthy. The Holy Spirit assures, advocates for us - brings joy and peace.

His is mostly a covert job - have you missed His work? Have you missed His presence? O, you must not!

A little more on the love that exists in the Trinitarian nature of God - and how their perfect relationship beckons us into belonging.

Who or what? Was the Spirit born on Pentecost or ...? And what is the whole thing with the Trinity?

What was James' motive? His inspiration? And is it really possible for you to know peace, strength and power?

What/who do you allow to influence you? If you are blessed enough to know who you are and whose you are, you must answer this question well.'Today I will live a mediocre life' said.no one. ever.

When someone says, 'Tell me about yourself,' what comes to mind? How do you answer? How have you formed your view of yourself? Hmmm... What does God have to say about who you are? Check it out.

James has just introduced seeking God's will first, but in actuality, from the opening words of his letter, he has been showing us how to live according to the will of God. Give this a listen! Great song too.

Living in the will of God brings peace and joy - but how can we know his will?

Freedom is one of God's best ideas. Freedom in Him, and Thank God, Americans are free to worship Him.

What does it take to be a world changer? This I want to know!

I don't know about you, but I need this today!

A few words from James 4 have replayed over and over in my mind: You do not have, because you do not ask God. What are you missing out on??

In chapter 4, James covers a lot, but all under the covering of our choices - to honor God or the world, to prioritize our own pleasures or God's will...

James once again references peace - James 3.18 - But how do we get peace? How do we maintain peace?

What is wisdom? How do we get it? James 3.13-18

Be careful with your words - but that is n'ere impossible unless you have a pure heart.

Why did J-Phat win the battle? What can you learn from him? Only a lot. 2 Chronicles 20.1-30

What to do when the battle is hot. Plus---- learning so much I never knew... a beautiful, life-changing practice that will open new neuropathways in your brain

James talked about the tongue, but really it is about the words that come off our tongues, from our text messages, Snapchats, TikTok's, emails, etc. Our words build up or tear down. Please take a look, perhaps in the mirror--the power of our influence and communication. James 3.1-11

You make choices every day but what about choices to grow closer to God, to move boldly in the direction of what God would have you do--letting the Holy Spirit radically transform you? For this would be a defining moment!

What the two had in common - what their courage and faith says to us. They had their defining moments ... what about you? What will you do when your defining moment comes?

Just contrasting faith/works and faith/grace: of James and Paul...mentioning 'For by grace you have been saved,' - grace? Oh, yes, beautiful, powerful, evocative grace. 'I know nothing, except what everyone knows — if there when Grace dances, I should dance.'

James says one thing, Paul another? Some people live for this sort of thing--conflicting statements in the Bible. See for yourself - no error, no conflict in doctrine. Being 'good enough' is sheer folly.

The most popular Morning Briefing I ever wrote came out of James chapter two; James, who has already taught us a lot about living life well--authentically, joyfully, wisely, with a great love of God. And now, he launches into how we ought treat others: without favoritism or judgment--but instead, freely dispensing m.e.r.c.y.

Perhaps it will seem elementary; but it is not. We must exercise self control in being quick to listen, but slow to speak -> and then we will be much less likely to be quick to anger.

Where does temptation come from, anyway? And when we are tempted, what ought we do? James tips his hand as does Thomas a Kempis in 1441. Check it out - while you have some control!

We must never forget: freedom is not free; it cost many their lives. Our Christian freedom was not free either; it cost Jesus everything. Let's live THANKFUL.

Did the apostle James 'bury the lead' in this passage of Scripture? When I picked up on this line, it captured my heart, my mind and attention.

Tough times have a way of working us over - causing us stress, anxiety, worry and fear! There is another way, a better way.

Do these go together? Turns out that from God's perspective, they absolutely do! James writes to the dispersed and to us. Check it out.

What moves someone from skeptic to believer to sold-out follower of Jesus Christ? Evidence, experience. James had both and was moved to pick up his pen and author this powerful letter. "The Author" also a God-honoring song.

What? It's a Southern expression, but it captures a great concept for us. Resources to grow in our relationship with Jesus - careful with who, what and where we give our attention.

Who cares what a woman wants really? I want to know what God wants - and I find out all that he wants from his precious Word.

It almost seems the terms would be at odds--power and hope; one is strong, the other weak, based on wish or whimsy. Nope! Give this a listen.