Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.

Send us Fan Mail When God Seems Distant: Dealing with Life's Afflictions James Long, Jr.  Psalm 13 David cries out to God in his pain  ·      Has God forgotten you? ·      Has God forsaken you? ·      How long? ·      David’s Three Looks David looks upward David looks inward David looks outward ·      Two paths: Grudge or Grace   David called out to God in prayer  ·      David’s Three Request...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever struggle with feeling betrayed and abandoned ? Do you battle hopelessness ?  Hear Pastor James's message from our series, entitled, " Counseling through the Psalms ."  So many people today are struggling with disillusionment, stress, and anxieties. People need hope. But, where can they turn for lasting hope? The Scripture defines hope as a confident expe...

Send us Fan Mail Do you struggle with a sense of identity and purpose in your life?  Peter wrote to a group of believers that were under tremendous persecution and distress. He wanted to encourage them in their faith by speaking of their position in Christ. He wanted to remind them there who they were and why they existed.  Those two essential truths are things we need to keep in mind as well as w...

Send us Fan Mail A World Full of Violence and Evil We live in a broken world among broken people. We live in a world that is constantly dominated by evil. A review of the news reveals new acts of violence and incredible wickedness day after day. Tempted during times of trials and troubles? Are you tempted towards fear and panic? Are you tempted towards depression and despair? Are you tempted towar...

Send us Fan Mail To What Are We Born Again? Born Again to be Holy (1 Peter 1:13-16) Growing in holiness requires that we have prepared minds Growing in holiness requires that we settle our hope on God and His grace Growing in holiness requires that we practice holy obedience Growing in holiness requires that we control our passions Born Again to be Reverential (1 Peter 1:17-21) What does it mean t...

Send us Fan Mail Message Outline Issue: What is the problem? 1.     World’s words and wisdom 2.     Scripture’s wisdom is radically different Exposition of Proverbs 23:29-35 – adapted from Mark Shaw Six Question Biblical Evaluation Who has woe? (Level of condemnation in their life – Recklessness)   Who has sorrow? (deep sadness, hurt, bitterness, anger, depressions) Who has strife? (problems in re...

Send us Fan Mail SUMMARY OF THE MESSAGE  Hear James's message from series, entitled, "Hope in the Storm." So many people today are struggling with disillusionment, stress, and anxieties. People need hope. But, where can they turn for lasting hope?  The Scripture defines hope as a confident expectancy. It also tells us that God only is the believer's hope. We pray that this mess...

Send us Fan Mail THE ANSWER TO FEAR IS LOVE Are you gripped with fear? Today, so many people are gripped with fear. Many are afraid, desperate, and feeling alone. Have you ever felt that way? Some feel like the pressures is crushing them. They feel overwhelmed. It seems to them that everything is pressing in on them. It feels like the stressors and fears are coming on every side. They lack peace,...

Send us Fan Mail Psalm 56 - When I Afraid: Moving from Fear to Faith Message Outline 1. The psalmist  cries out for grace (Psalm 56:1-2, 5-6) Be gracious to me (Psalm 56:1) Because my enemies are  pursuing me (Psalm 56:1-2, 5-6) Because my enemies are  prideful and arrogant (Psalm 56:2) 2. The psalmist placed his  confidence in a good God (Psalm 56:3-4, 7-11) "This I know…"  Justice (Psa...

Send us Fan Mail Struggle with Fear? Here are 5 Precious Promises from God Do you struggle with fear? In this video, driven from Isaiah 41:10 , discover 5 Precious promises from God for your peace, hope, and joy. Subscribe, and Enjoy the Show! For more information go to jameslongjr.org . To subscribe to our Youtube channel go to: To subscribe to our podcast, follow these links. ABOUT JAMES and LES...

Send us Fan Mail My World is Collapsing! I Need Some Biblical Solutions   - Counsel from Psalm 46: A Mighty Fortress is Our God James Long, Jr. Counseling through the Bible / Psalm 46   Key Principle: In the midst of terribly troubling times, anchor yourself to the unchangeable God God Is For Us and He Alone Is Our Refuge (Psalm 46:1-3) Affirmation  of Faith: “God Is” (Psalm 46:1) Changeless chara...

Send us Fan Mail How do you handle suffering? How to deal with trials and troubles? We all suffer. No one is exempt. When most people are in the throes of trials and tribulations, they tend to ask themselves one of two questions: The first question is, “ Why is this happening ?” The second is, “ How am I going to handle this? ”  By asking these two questions, the sufferer is seeking clarity during...

Send us Fan Mail Ask James seeks to answer questions regarding how to apply God's word to relationships, handling emotions, and spiritual maturity. We call it "practical theology."  Your host is Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 25 years of experience.  These Ask James segments are bite-sized, five-minute podcasts, that seek to provide bibl...

Send us Fan Mail ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ. Reso...

Send us Fan Mail At times, does it seem like God's plans don't make sense to you? Do you ever find yourself confused by the things God is or is not doing in your life? Have you ever struggled with lacking patience or lacking trust in God? Have you found yourself getting discouraged as situations and circumstances in your life do not seem to change? In this message, taken from Genesis 41,...

Send us Fan Mail The High Priestly Prayer - John 17 In this message, we look at Jesus's High Priestly Prayer found in John 17. In the message, we will discover: To whom did he pray?   For whom is Jesus praying?   For what does Jesus pray? "Protect them, Lord."   "Sanctify them in your truth." "Unify them for your glory."   "Fill them with your joy."   &...

Send us Fan Mail Psalm 51: Dealing with Guilt: A Prayer for Pardon and Purity Exposition Prayer for Pardon (Restoration) Have Mercy on Me (vs. 1a) Blot out My Transgression (vs. 1b) Wash Me Thoroughly (vs. 2a) Cleanse Me (vs. 2b) My Sin Are Ever Before Me (vs. 3) Sin plagues his mind. Sin is against God ultimately.   Sin deserves judgment .  The Source of Sin (vs. 5) God Delights in Truth in Us (v...

Send us Fan Mail Come, Let Us Worship Psalm 95 Introduction Call to Worship ( Psalm 95:1-2 ) Exuberant - passionate and energetic Joyful Communal - “us” vs 1, 2, 6, “we” vs 7 Entering into His presence Thankful and full of gratitude Costly invitation Content of Worship ( Psalm 95:3-5 ) Creator God Redeemer God Consecration of Worship (Psalm 95:6) Worship - to prostrate yourself Bow down Kneel Caut...

Send us Fan Mail Do You Lack Something? In this short podcast, I want to talk to you about the topic of deficit versus surplus mindsets . And I asked you the question, do you lack something ? You know, most of us live our lives believing that we need something to feel significant, secure, or satisfied. So what we do is we look to other people to fulfill the need, the scarcity, or the deficit in ou...

Send us Fan Mail Introduction Gospel-Centered Ministry Step 1: Understand the Problem – Observation and Identification of the Problem (PROBLEM) 1. Relationships should be of the highest priority in our lives. Everyone needs somebody.  2. Broken relationships are distracting. Broken relationships are destructive. Broken relationships distort the message of the gospel. Broken relationships restrict...

Send us Fan Mail Please Pray for Me Series: Praying Like Paul / Romans 15:14–33 Message Outline Praise for the Church in Rome (vs. 14) Paul praises their character (“full of goodness”)  Paul praises their cognition (“filled with all knowledge”)  Paul praises their capability (“able to instruct one another”) Principle # 1 - The gospel is the only answer to humanity’s  deepest need Principle # 2 - T...

Send us Fan Mail Show Notes Step 1: Understand the Problem – Observation and Identification of the Problem (PROBLEM) 1.      Introduction – What is Guilt? a.      Guilt lives in the courtroom where you stand alone before the judge. It says, “You are responsible for wrongdoing and legally answerable.” “You are wrong.” “You have sinned.” And need forgiveness. “Do not forget that your sensors for gui...

Send us Fan Mail Show Notes 1.      How do I repent? a.      To confess your sin, you must first see your sin b.      Your confession of sin must flow from Godly sorrow c.       When you confess your sin, stop passing blame and get specific 2.      When was the last time you truly repented of your sins? ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’...

Send us Fan Mail Show Notes 1.      To whom do we confess? a.      All sin is confessed to God b.      Sin may be also confessed to others: c.       When we are seeking help from stronger, more mature Christians (Gal. 6:2) d.      When we confess an offense to someone whom we have sinned against, in order to seek their forgiveness.  ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE Are you seeking hope, wisdom, an...

Send us Fan Mail Show Notes Does true repentance nullify all of the consequences for our sin? God promises to deal mercifully with those who confess and forsake their sins. However, there is no promise in Scripture that God’s forgiveness will eradicate all the consequences of our sin.  ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr....