Study Desk

My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow.

My friends, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They were patient, even when they had to suffer.

If you are sick, ask the church leaders to come and pray for you. Ask them to put olive oil on you in the name of the Lord.

If you have faith when you pray for sick people, they will get well. The Lord will heal them, and if they have sinned, he will forgive them.

If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot.

Elijah was just as human as we are, and for three and a half years his prayers kept the rain from falling.

But when he did pray for rain, it fell from the skies and made the crops grow.

God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear.

On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while.

But they were told that they were serving you and not themselves. They preached to you by the power of the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. And their message was only for you, even though angels would like to know more about it.

Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved.

You are free, but still you are God's servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong.

Respect everyone and show special love for God's people. Honor God and respect the Emperor.

God will bless you, even if others treat you unfairly for being loyal to him.

You don't gain anything by being punished for some wrong you have done. But God will bless you, if you have to suffer for doing something good.

After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.

For example, Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her true children, if you do right and don't let anything frighten you.

Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble.

Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds?

Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do.