With the second week of Advent being about peace, Jeff shares how God wants to offer us a Shalom peace this Christmas, a peace that is complete, whole and sound. He encourages us in both experiencing peace and giving it away this holiday season.
With the second week of Advent being about peace, Jeff shares how God wants to offer us a Shalom peace this Christmas, a peace that is complete, whole and sound. He encourages us in both experiencing peace and giving it away this holiday season.
Matt Farrand starts off our series for Advent using Isaac Watts' song "Joy to the World" to prepare us. Just like John the Baptist did before Jesus' ministry, we are asked to prepare for Jesus. We can do so by looking to the "dust and cobwebs" in our soul that need cleaning, by setting aside time to focus on our preparations, and by treating our pain with the hope that he brings.
Jeff finishes our series in the book of James with just 2 verses at the end of James. He challenges us to share our faith with the people in our lives who have wandered from the faith and partner with God in what he is already doing in their lives.
Jeff dives into chapter 5 of James by encouraging us in vulnerability, healing and confession.
Bristow talks to us about God's wisdom, as James tells us. The world's wisdom is about the self and results. Heavenly wisdom is about God and relationships. We find it from worshiping God, and it becomes evident in what we do.
Jeff dives into James 3 and talks about the power of speech. He shares how our tongue can influence, ignite, indicate and be inconsistent. He talks about how James is being corrective in this book, but also offers opportunity.
Jeff Faust guides us through a difficult section of the book of James. The Bible tells us elsewhere that we are saved by faith alone. James, however, tells us that without works, our faith is dead. It's not just the truth you know, but also how you act upon that truth. Our faith becomes real when we choose to demonstrate it.
Jeff challenges us with being appreciative of the tests life throws at us. God tests us because he loves us and wants us to grow to become more like Jesus. When tests come our way, we can recognize the love behind them and get through them with steadfast faith and humble prayer.
