james-1:12

Many of God’s people are experiencing today more pressure in their lives than ever before. In today’s "pell-mell" living, with society spiraling downward, pressures are coming upon some of God’s people in a measure that threatens to overcome them. On a personal scale, there are increasing conflicts ... Read More

It is much easier to teach a child to trust in a loving God when all is well. However, our children need to learn that God is present and loving even when things are difficult. If we can introduce the importance of perseverance in the midst of suffering or at times when things aren’t going well, our... Read More

Could peace and prosperity be detrimental to our spiritual health? This may seem to be a shocking suggestion but recent history and personal experience should make us seriously consider the possibility. Wars, natural disasters and suffering seem to be regularly used of the Lord to revive spiritual f... Read More

1. Purifying ourselves and letting God sanctify us wholly (Colossians 3:4-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 3:3) 2. Abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6; 1 John 2:28) 3. Abounding more and more in love, knowledge, and judgment (Philippians 1:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13) 4. Meeting together to exhort o... Read More

Abide (3306)(meno) in simple terms means to remain in the same place or position over a period of time. It means to reside, stay, live, lodge, tarry or dwell. Meno describes something that remains where it is, continues in a fixed state, or endures. Meno can mean "to take up permanent residence" or ... Read More

Approved (1384) (dokimos from dokime = test, proof, trial = idea is that when you put metal through a fiery testing and it comes out on the other side enduring it "proven", "authentic" or "genuine" Click discussion of related word dokimazo and the antonym = adokimos) describes one who has stood the ... Read More

Believe (4100) (pisteuo from pistis; pistos; related studies the faith, the obedience of faith) means to consider something to be true and therefore worthy of one’s trust. To accept as true, genuine, or real. To have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something or someone.... Read More

To love (25) (agapao - see related study of noun agape) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves sinful men (John 3:16), the way He loves the Son (John 3:35, 15:9, 17:23, 24). Note that agapao is a verb and by its verbal nature calls for action. This quality of love is no... Read More

Crown (4735) (stephanos from stepho = to encircle, twine or wreathe) was a wreath made of foliage or designed to resemble foliage and worn by one of high status or held in high regard. The stephanos was literally an adornment worn around the head as a crown of victory in the Greek athletic games, th... Read More

Endure (5278) (hupomeno from hupó = under, as in under the rule of someone + méno = to abide or remain - see study of noun hupomone) means literally to remain under but not simply with resignation, but with a vibrant hope. The idea of enduring is not just to "grin and bear it" but to remain under tr... Read More