NextGenKent

Do you know someone who always seems to be sharing answers to his or her prayers? When was the last time you had one prayer answered? When it has been awhile it can sure seem like the heavens are closed. Especially when others are sharing God is answering. Read James 5:17-18 and then ask yourself, "How hard can it be to pray?" “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” Let's face it, some prayers are more powerful and effective than others. Powerful prayers are obviously those that work, and effective prayers mean those that work the right way. James says powerful and effective prayers come from a certain type of person = a righteous person. So it seems fit to ask, when my prayers are not answered, "Am I not a righteous person?" I must not be. *cricket *cricket *cricke...

Do you have something you possess that is very expensive, but you never really use (say less than once a year)? Take a moment to read James 2:14-26. The Message is a good one to look at for this passage. We practice what we believe. Most of the time we are good at something because we have worked hard at it—whether it was a hobby and we enjoyed it, or because we were pushed to do so, like by a coach. James starts by asking the questions, "What good is it?" and "Can this so called “faith” save him?" Both are worth looking at. Especially when salvation is on the line!  James points out the difference between “saying” you have faith and having a "doing" faith. James then uses an example to illustrate. He positions "a fellow believer who is in greatly need" in the middle of the believer's mind much like Jesus did with a lone child. So, there in the middle of the discussion, James places a needy believer. Have you have ever seen a needy bel...

Do you have something expensive you own but never really use? Like in the past year, do you have something that cost lots of money and you used it, say maybe once? Most of the time we are good at something because we have worked hard at it—whether it was a hobby and we enjoyed it, or because we were pushed to do so, like by a coach. In James 2:14-26 ( Try reading it in The Message translation) James starts by asking a question—What good is faith? Can so called “faith” save him? James points out the difference between “ say ing” you have faith and having and actual faith which is a "doing" faith. To James, faith and action are the same thing. Have you ever listened to what we've called "arm-chair players"? Those guys who sit on their chairs watching football games and call out everything the coaches should have done? Ever ran into someone who said they were a follower of Christ, barked off everything Christians should be doing and then continue to s...