by Doug Van Meter | 2 Nov 2008 | James
I am of the persuasion that the James who penned the epistle so-named was James the son of Alphaeus, one of the Lord’s twelve apostles. He was the Lord’s “brother” in the sense of being a cousin: James’ mother and Jesus’ mother were sisters. As an apostle, James would...
by Doug Van Meter | 19 Oct 2008 | James
We have spent much time in the book of James, and have seen that it is indeed a most practical book. Some would argue that it is the most practical New Testament book, and as a “wisdom book,” we would expect nothing less. Since wisdom is the practical application of...
by Doug Van Meter | 12 Oct 2008 | James
This week has been historic. Global financial markets lost nearly three trillion dollars in market value. Our own JSE has lost at least forty percent of its value since January. The Rand has lost about thirty percent of its value over the past month. Prices keep going...
by Doug Van Meter | 21 Sep 2008 | James
As we come to the end of our study in James 4 we are still dealing with the dual themes of pride and the tongue. As we have come to understand, the two are intimately connected. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). That...
by Doug Van Meter | 14 Sep 2008 | James
James seems to have an ear for sins of speech. Over and over again he has spoken to this issue and he has a few more things to say before he is done with the subject. Verses 11 and 12 of chapter 4 contain some more teaching on this subject. Specifically, he here...
by Doug Van Meter | 7 Sep 2008 | James
John Blanchard wrote, “It is possible to be diligent in our religion but to be distant in our relationship.” How often we find that to be true of ourselves! Externally, we are diligent in the things of Christianity, but internally there is a distance from God. This...