Studies in James and 1 & 2 Peter
The posts listed here are studies in the books of James and 1 & 2 Peter.
- James - Studies from the letter of James
- Joyful in the Trials of Life – James 1:2-4 - August 28, 2013 - How do you respond when life hands you lemons? James calls on us to be joyful in our trials. They help us to grow in…
- A Prayer for Wisdom from Above – James 1:5-8 - August 4, 2021 - James encourages those who lack the wisdom to face the trials we face as believers to prayer for it. But be sure to pray in…
- Responding to Temptation – James 1:13-15 - September 7, 2013 - James in clear that the temptation I face in life comes out of my own desires. And temptation can lead to sin and hinder my…
- Be Doers of the Word, Putting it into Practice – James 1:22-25 - September 30, 2019 - When you read the Bible, how do you respond? James challenges us to be doers of the word, not merely hearers. To put it into…
- Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment – James 2:12-13 - May 25, 2020 - We need to guard against judging by external appearances and be merciful instead. Because mercy triumphs over judgment.
- A Living Faith – James 2:14 - August 27, 2017 - Does your faith in Christ prompt you to give to the needy, to care for the down and out, or to comfort those experiencing loss?
- Faith Without Works is Dead – James 2:17 - October 14, 2019 - James calls on us to test our faith. Is it active and fruitful? Or is it only an intellectual acknowledgement. Faith without works is dead…
- The Incredible Power of Words – James 3:1-12 - September 21, 2013 - Words sometimes come too easy to us. But there is power in our words. The power to build another up. Or to tear them down.…
- Wisdom that Comes from Heaven – James 3:17-18 - August 24, 2022 - The wisdom that comes from heaven is more that just common sense. There is a moral component to it that leads to peace within the…
- Praise and Cursing from the Same Mouth – James 3:9-10 - August 28, 2017 - How often am I guilty of praising God in one moment and then cursing, or speaking poorly, of people in the next moment?
- Conflicts in the Body – James 4:1-10 - September 30, 2013 - Conflicts in the body of Christ are all to unfortunately a common occurrence. And the root cause is often personal desires that conflict.
- Friendship with the World – James 4:4 - November 24, 2021 - You can follow the Lord as his disciple. Or follow the way of friendship with the world. But not both. Attempting to do both is…
- Submit Yourselves to God – James 4:7-10 - August 25, 2022 - What causes conflict within a church body. Quite often, it is our own personal desires. The solution is to submit ourselves to God instead,
- Failing to Do Good When We Can Is Sin – James 4:17 - August 29, 2017 - James says that not doing the good I should is sin. This includes harmful and hurtful actions. And failing to do what is good when…
- Don’t Grumble Against One Another – James 5:9 - September 1, 2021 - Grumbling, or complaining, is all too common in our churches today. But James tells us to don't grumble. Instead look to build others up.
- Powerful and Effective Prayer – James 5:16 - August 30, 2017 - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective; it makes a difference in the lives of those prayed for.
- 1 Peter - Studies from Peter's first letter
- Born into A Living Hope – 1 Peter 1:3-9 - January 18, 2013 - We have a living hope, the salvation of our souls. And that should impact every part of our life. Live for eternity, not just today.
- Rejoicing in the Midst of Trials – 1 Peter 1:6-7 - August 31, 2022 - We have been given an amazing hope for eternity. And, because of that, we can rejoice in the midst of any trials that we experience…
- This World Is Not My Home – 1 Peter 1:17 - March 2, 2020 - As believers, we are foreigners here, this world is not our home. So live out the few years of our lives here as God's representatives.
- Living a Life of Love – 1 Peter 1:22-2:1 - February 1, 2013 - Having a sincere love for others within the body of Christ is good. But go beyond that, and live a life of love that comes…
- Craving Pure Spiritual Milk – 1 Peter 2:2 - April 6, 2020 - How important is God's word? Peter instructs us to crave it as pure spiritual milk. Only when we consume it will we grow in our…
- A Chosen People and a Royal Priesthood – 1 Peter 2:4-10 - February 21, 2013 - As believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood. That is a tremendous privilege and responsibility.
- Waging War on Sinful Desires – 1 Peter 2:11 - September 1, 2017 - It is important to recognize which desires lead to actions that are sinful and hinder my walk with God, and abstain from them.
- Living Among the Pagans – 1 Peter 2:12 - August 30, 2022 - We live in a fallen world of spiritual darkness. As we do, we should live such good lives among the pagans that they will glorify…
- Submit to Human Authority – 1 Peter 2:13-15 - June 6, 2022 - As hard as it sometimes is, Peter's words here call on us to submit to every human authority we find ourselves under. Even if they…
- Honor the Governing Authorities – 1 Peter 2:14-17 - March 1, 2013 - It is easy to criticize our President. But Peter makes clear that we are to honor our governing authorities, even if we disagree with them.
- Responding to Insult – 1 Peter 2:18-25 - March 7, 2013 - Responding to insults, especially because of our faith in Christ, is hard. No one likes to be insulted. But we should follow Christ's example.
- Revere Christ as Lord – 1 Peter 3:13-15a - September 1, 2022 - Peter encourages us to be eager to do good and to revere Christ as Lord, regardless of the way other people might respond to you.
- Always Be Prepared to Give An Answer – 1 Peter 3:15-16 - September 2, 2017 - When someone asks you why you believe in Christ, are you ready to give them an answer? And to do it with gentleness and respect?
- Be Alert and of Sober Mind – 1 Peter 4:7 - August 19, 2022 - The end of all things, whether of the world or your own, is near. But, as you await it, be alert and sober-minded so you…
- Love Covers a Multitude of Sins – 1 Peter 4:8 - September 3, 2017 - As we love, we will likely find that the things that bothered us before are transformed into positives. Love covers a multitude of sins.
- Faithful Stewards of God’s Grace – 1 Peter 4:10 - October 26, 2020 - God's grace is given to us in the spiritual gifts he has entrusted us with. We need to be faithful stewards of God's grace.
- Insulted Because of the Name of Christ – 1 Peter 4:14 - November 15, 2021 - How should we respond when we are insulted because of the name of Christ. Because we are his? Rejoice and see that it is really…
- Instruction to Shepherds – 1 Peter 5:1-4 - August 12, 2022 - Peter instructs elders to be shepherds to the flock under their care. Regardless of the size of your flock, serve as an example to them.
- Cast All of Your Anxiety on Him – 1 Peter 5:7 - July 21, 2021 - There are so many things that we can allow to cause us to worry. But God tells us to cast all of that anxiety on…
- The Devil Is Like a Roaring Lion – 1 Peter 5:8-9 - September 4, 2017 - Our adversary is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Don't be his victim. Be alert and sober minded. Resist him in the…
- 2 Peter - Studies from Peter's second letter
- How to be Effective and Productive in Christ – 2 Peter 1:5-9 - May 1, 2021 - Being effective and productive in the work of the kingdom requires that we be growing in the virtues of our faith. Never be satisfied.
- Make Every Effort to Confirm Your Calling – 2 Peter 1:10-11 - August 26, 2022 - Don't be content with a passive salvation. Instead, make every effort to confirm your calling and receive a rich welcome into the kingdom.
- Constant Remembrance of the Truth – 2 Peter 1:12-13 - January 5, 2022 - Never be satisfied that you have spent enough time reading or studying the Bible. We all need constant remembrance of its truths for our lives
- Beware of False Teachers – 2 Peter 2:1 - September 6, 2017 - Don't let false teachers lead you astray from the truth. Know the Scriptures, keep your focus on Christ, and trust in the leading of the…
- Looking Forward to a New Creation – 2 Peter 3:11-13 - September 7, 2017 - As believers in Christ, we should be looking forward to the return of our Lord and the new creation, living holy and godly lives as…
- Live Holy and Godly Lives – 2 Peter 3:11-12 - September 5, 2022 - Jesus is returning for his chosen ones someday. And, as we wait for that day, we should live holy and godly lives, looking forward to…
- Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus – 2 Peter 3:18 - March 10, 2021 - Peter here tells us how to be secure and effective in our faith. By growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
