Author: James Williams

“Christians are the most forgiven people in the world. Therefore, we should be the most forgiving people in the world.” While we know that should be true, it isn’t always the case. I know I’m supposed to forgive, but sometimes I just don’t want to. Sometimes it seems too hard actually to forgive…at least, to do so completely. To say, ‘I forgive you’ is easy enough, but to do the deep heart-work of truly forgiving someone takes commitment, love, and a heart that has been forgiven much. In his book The Peacemaker, Ken Sande gives an in-depth guide to...

In moments of extreme difficulty or longing desperation, people in Scripture often turned to prayer and fasting. Consider David fasting for his sick child (2 Samuel 12:14-16), the people of Nineveh fasting at word of their coming judgment (Jonah 3), or Jesus fasting before beginning his earthly ministry (Matt. 4), and many others. Scripture is clear that fasting is a spiritual act of worship to God. We are currently in a series on the Spiritual disciples. Throughout this series, we’ve considered Bible intake through hearing and reading, Bible intake by meditation and memorization, prayer, evangelism, serving, and stewardship. Today,...

He wasn’t sure what he should do, so he buried the money. His master had left town. Instead of getting that time off, he was given a talent and expected to invest it well. He had plenty of ideas, but they were all so risky. His master was a harsh man, even immoral, and the last thing he wanted to do was lose the money. So he played it safe and buried it. Upon his master’s return, he had to give an account. He confessed his lack of action, hoping the master would be pleased…after all, he was giving...