Three Minute Thoughts

James speaks a lot about prayer and actively doing the things of faith. Check it out.

Matthew's gospel is intentional in the way it is set up. We'll talk authorship and recipients in today's episode.

When we become the center of our own universe we tend to do things that are really not all that great. We can excuse just about any behavior when we are our own focus! So don't do that!

So the idea of licking your toes is pretty gross I get it. But think about how often we speak first and think second and thereby insert foot in mouth. The tongue has potential to do some pretty catastrophic harm. So watch it!

James is super practical. In today's chapter we see James reminding us that being a jerk is a bad idea and that integrity is pretty important. So no jerks and be real. That's pretty much the summary of James 2.

The bible is full of powerful words on prayer. James tells us to pray and have faith that not only God can but also that He will answer those things prayed in faith and according to his promises.

As Paul finishes his letter to the people of Galatia he reminds them who they are and how they should be treating one another. Some very practical advice for even us today.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it. We have a ton of freedoms in our world but how we go about using those freedoms is a whole different story. Can you live in your freedom and still respect those around you? You better or you're not really living in freedom anymore!

Since the people receiving this letter seem to be not getting the whole works and faith illustration, Paul decides to change it up a bit. So he uses the imagery of slaves and sons. What's the difference? That's today's topic.

Paul is getting increasingly frustrated by the people who have learned from him yet are living a totally different way of life. They say they believe yet live like they don't. They think their good works are going to save them but yikes! Paul has something to say about that.

Galatians 2 shows what happens when two mature people have a disagreement. We can be on the same team and fighting for the same cause and have a civil disagreement. Novel idea I know!

As we start a new book of the Bible it's important to understand the basic structure and purpose that's what we'll do today.

Jesus is not only the author of our faith but also the one who perfects our faith.

There is a lot to be learned from those who have gone before us. What can you learn from these pillars of the faith?

A great section to think about today. It's time to get back together again.

The temple is a front and center topic in much of Old Testament talk, but what happens when Jesus comes on the scene? What happens to the temple then?

Now that we kind of understand who Melchizedek is we can see how Jesus is better.

We've looked briefly at this odd character a few chapters ago but today he's got the spot light, well kind of...

In Hebrews 6 we find God making a promise. And when God makes a promise there's no breaking it.

The bible talks about this idea of High Priests, but who were they and what did they do? And why was it important that Jesus is seen as the High Priest?

In chapter 4 of Hebrews we see the concept of resting in God's completed work. This means that God has accomplished all that needed to be done for our salvation so we can rest in it. We need to be transformed by it but can rest in it.

Hebrews is known as the hall of faith book. The pillars of faith throughout the Old Testament all have something powerful and special about them, but none of them are good enough to replace Jesus. They are servants. Jesus is the Son.

Hebrews is a letter written to bolster the faith of the people who read it. Jesus is the example and the encouragement of who we are called to be and the sacrifice who paid for the wrongs we commit when we don't do it right.

As we open a new book we take a few minutes to look at the background stuff. This will help set the rest of the book up to be more easily understood.