Applied Christianity: Studies in James
The New Testament letter of James is passionately practical. It breathes down-to-earth intensity. The author yearns to see the realities of the gospel translated into daily life. He has no patience with speculative theology or pious pretense. His cry is: “Let the faith be lived!”
The Fiery Furnace
Read: Daniel 3 If you had to, would you have the courage to die for your faith? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went into a fiery furnace rather than deny their Lord. Their story can help to show where the courage of faith comes from. Human societies vary widely in the things they value and the behaviors […]
Jonah and the Whale
Read: Jonah 1 If I say “Jonah,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? It’s “whale,” isn’t it? “Jonah and the Whale” is what most people think of. But in a way that’s too bad because if we only think of Jonah as an incredible fish story or perhaps a story about an incredible […]
Naaman’s Story
Read: 2 Kings 5:1-14 What must I do to be saved? That’s a question people don’t ask much anymore, but a famous story involving the prophet Elisha and a Syrian general called Naaman shows us the answer. One sabbath day Jesus came back to his home town of Nazareth, went to the synagogue, and preached a […]
Elijah on Mount Carmel
Many people today take a kind of cafeteria approach to faith that blends elements from many religions and traditions. But Elijah asks: “How long will you go limping between two different opinions?”
How to Kill a Giant
We all know the story of David and Goliath, but do you know how you can kill the giants you may be facing, giants like sin, discouragement, fear? The answer is, by faith!
Samuel Hears God’s Call
Little Samuel was dedicated by his parents to the Lord’s service from the day he was born. He learned an important lesson at a very young age about how to listen to God, and respond.
Gideon’s Army
Read: Judges 7 What sort of people does God use to do his work in the world? You don’t necessarily have to be brave, or strong, or gifted. But you do have to be committed to him, and willing to fight for the right. The place was London, the year 1865. A young Methodist preacher named […]
The Walls of Jericho
Our walk with God sometimes brings us up against some very big obstacles. But through faith, and obedience, we can see the walls come tumbling down. That’s the lesson Israel learned at Jericho.