Three stories in two chapters lead us to one inescapable message. The grace and power of Jesus are for everyone, and for today.

“He told me all that I ever did.” Suppose someone knew you that well? How would you expect them to respond to you?

On the face of it, this was a conversation that should have gone nowhere. But Jesus employed approaches that led to a life-changing result.

Our world is desperate for a good harvest of righteousness and peace. And the book of James tell us how to achieve one.

When John the Baptist said, “He must increase and I must decrease,” he demonstrated that Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life and that the disciples (and everyone else!) needed to spend time with Jesus.

What if our job is not to convince, but just to love? What if all we know is a barrier to learning what will really impact our neighbor?

“Come and see” is an invitation for our time. But if someone responds to such words from us, what will they find?

To follow the teaching of James, we start by listening before we speak. We sew the Word of God in our hearts and surrender our words to him before we utter a thought to another.

In spite of today’s prevailing tendency to make our position clear on every topic, the watching world will learn most about our faith and our God by what we do.

Sometimes we fail to listen. Sometimes we only consume and fail to act. In a few sentences, James challenges us to correct both errors.

Jesus, the Light of the World, who created light from the beginning, will be a presence and power in our lives today.

It is neither instant nor natural to think of facing trials joyfully. And joyfully doesn't mean some sort of denial or silliness. It is a deep awareness that our suffering aligns us deeply with Jesus who suffered for us.

I keep looking for the exempt clause for this instruction found in Proverbs 24: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.”

Our imagination can create much for our future and help us understand our past. But It’s not enough to sustain or to save.

I did OK in school, but I seldom spoke up. I’m learning later in life that may be a pretty good approach.

Jesus told his disciples what to do with themselves after his ascension before he returned again. We, too, can obey what he taught.

Now is our time to throw off the distractions weighing us down and move forward in response to the encouragement we’re receiving from on high.

They were simply offering the hospitality expected of them, but soon they realized they’d had an encounter like none other.

Sometimes we do not realize that we have in fact had an encounter with Jesus who is living inside of the person who helps us.

I need my friends. I highly value my friends. But none of them can offer me what Jesus brings.