November 4-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:1, James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings
Observe what it is saying.
James could have said, brother of Jesus Christ. He refused to let his half-brother status be his prominent identification. Instead, he identified and viewed himself as a servant of God and the Lord Jesus. At first, he did not believe that his brother was the Christ and even challenged him (John 7:2-5). However, after Jesus’ resurrection, James became a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church. His leadership and the good name he maintained earned him the title “James the Just” according to Jewish and Christian traditions. The audience to which he wrote was “scattered among the nations.” These Jewish followers of Jesus were living outside the boundaries of Israel because they were, likely, those forced to flee Israel due to the persecution that arose after Stephen’s death. It makes perfect sense that their former spiritual leader, James, would send them a letter to encourage them to remain faithful in their new location.
Relate it to your life.
The body of Christ is at its best as we encourage one another to stay faithful through the trials of life.
Do something.
“Father, use me as an encouraging voice in someone’s life today. Amen.”
November 5-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:2-4, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Observe what it is saying.
Since it is believed that James’ intended audience was Jewish Christians who had been dispersed out of Jerusalem and Israel due to persecution, it makes sense that he begins with this message of the testing of their faith. He tells them to do the opposite of what we feel like doing when we face various difficulties in life. Even though it isn’t joyful and doesn’t feel good, James tells them to think about the results of the challenges with joy. God is at work in the midst of their trials doing something deeply spiritual within them. Such testing of faith is necessary so that we will develop a persevering attitude. Unless we face opposition, we can’t develop an enduring spirit. However, perseverance isn’t an end in itself but is one of the ways we become spiritually mature and complete in our faith. When we have the right attitude in all of life’s circumstances, we can rest in the fact that God is using them to draw us closer to Him.
Relate it to your life.
I need to joyfully keep the big picture before me when I’m going through challenging times.
Do something.
“Father, give me courage to have such a positive attitude when things are going terribly wrong. Amen.”
November 6-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:5-8, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Observe what it is saying.
We don’t have a reason for lacking wisdom. God promises to provide this essential gift if we ask in full faith. Wisdom is not a request for more information but for practical insight that has spiritual implications for daily living. God promises to give without reservation and without rebuking us. God doesn’t view us negatively for asking because He knows that we need discernment to live loving, holy, and God-pleasing lives in this dark, broken world. The challenge isn’t that God doesn’t give generously but that we must actually believe God will give us what we need when we ask for it. Otherwise, our minds are constantly going back and forth between asking and doubting if God will answer. We need to settle it before we ask. God will give us clarity of insight when we ask with unwavering faith.
Relate it to your life.
If I ask for wisdom, I can confidently count on God giving it.
Do something.
“Father, I ask for wisdom for each decision I make and action I take that it will be pleasing to You. Amen.”
November 7-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:9-11, Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Observe what it is saying.
Earthly wealth gives us no reason to be proud. Whether we are wealthy or poor, we will pass away just the same. It’s not the money that’s the problem. It’s what we do with it. It’s how we treat it. Is it a tool for good or is it our god? Whenever we trust in anything other than Jesus, we have humiliated ourselves because our faith is in such a short-lived and impotent object. However, those who refuse to trust in this world, but put their full trust in God have elevated themselves to the highest place because that’s where Christ is. He is the true source of the most fulfilling and joy-filled life this side of heaven.
Relate it to your life.
I must not settle for the false lure of earthly wealth when I have the promise of eternal wealth.
Do something.
“Father, give me the wisdom and spiritual courage to keep my trust in the eternal kingdom. Amen.”
November 8-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:12, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Observe what it is saying.
James returns to his earlier theme of trials. He knows they have suffered and may be suffering in their new surroundings as they have fled the persecution that broke out in Jerusalem and throughout Israel as a result of the threats of pre-called Paul and others. God’s blessings come to those who persevere, who endure the pain and choose to keep trusting and following Jesus without giving up. As they faithfully stay connected to the Vine during this challenging ordeal, they pass the test of having a genuine faith. Unless our faith is tested and found to hold steady and strong, we really don’t know if it is genuine or not. Because of our experience of Jesus’ love for us is so evident and our love for Him is so deep, we refuse to forsake our Lord. We hold true today because of our loving relationship with Him, and we stay strong because of the promise of being awarded the prize of eternal life on that Day that’s coming soon.
Relate it to your life.
The joy of my authentic loving relationship with Jesus will hold and keep me during days of suffering.
Do something.
“Father, take me deeper into knowing Your love so I won’t give up when the tough times come. Amen.”
November 9-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:13-15, When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Observe what it is saying.
James makes it clear that God cannot be tempted nor does He tempt anyone to sin. That’s the devil’s role, and our responsibility to protect ourselves. The question is, what do we do when evil desires come into our minds? Do we entertain these thoughts, or do we bring them under the authority of Christ? 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Jesus said to Peter when he was used by Satan to tempt Him not to go to the cross, “Get behind me Satan.” Jesus diffused His temptation in the wilderness by quoting Scripture. The quicker we dismantle the evil desire the more likely we will have victory over it. Once the desire has conceived itself in our hearts and minds, then it quickly gives birth to sin. If left unrepented, it leads to eternal condemnation and death.
Relate it to your life.
I must take responsibility and not blame God for my participation in sin.
Do something.
“Father, give me wisdom and courage to diffuse each temptation before it becomes sin. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:1, James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings
Observe what it is saying.
James could have said, brother of Jesus Christ. He refused to let his half-brother status be his prominent identification. Instead, he identified and viewed himself as a servant of God and the Lord Jesus. At first, he did not believe that his brother was the Christ and even challenged him (John 7:2-5). However, after Jesus’ resurrection, James became a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church. His leadership and the good name he maintained earned him the title “James the Just” according to Jewish and Christian traditions. The audience to which he wrote was “scattered among the nations.” These Jewish followers of Jesus were living outside the boundaries of Israel because they were, likely, those forced to flee Israel due to the persecution that arose after Stephen’s death. It makes perfect sense that their former spiritual leader, James, would send them a letter to encourage them to remain faithful in their new location.
Relate it to your life.
The body of Christ is at its best as we encourage one another to stay faithful through the trials of life.
Do something.
“Father, use me as an encouraging voice in someone’s life today. Amen.”
November 5-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:2-4, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Observe what it is saying.
Since it is believed that James’ intended audience was Jewish Christians who had been dispersed out of Jerusalem and Israel due to persecution, it makes sense that he begins with this message of the testing of their faith. He tells them to do the opposite of what we feel like doing when we face various difficulties in life. Even though it isn’t joyful and doesn’t feel good, James tells them to think about the results of the challenges with joy. God is at work in the midst of their trials doing something deeply spiritual within them. Such testing of faith is necessary so that we will develop a persevering attitude. Unless we face opposition, we can’t develop an enduring spirit. However, perseverance isn’t an end in itself but is one of the ways we become spiritually mature and complete in our faith. When we have the right attitude in all of life’s circumstances, we can rest in the fact that God is using them to draw us closer to Him.
Relate it to your life.
I need to joyfully keep the big picture before me when I’m going through challenging times.
Do something.
“Father, give me courage to have such a positive attitude when things are going terribly wrong. Amen.”
November 6-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:5-8, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Observe what it is saying.
We don’t have a reason for lacking wisdom. God promises to provide this essential gift if we ask in full faith. Wisdom is not a request for more information but for practical insight that has spiritual implications for daily living. God promises to give without reservation and without rebuking us. God doesn’t view us negatively for asking because He knows that we need discernment to live loving, holy, and God-pleasing lives in this dark, broken world. The challenge isn’t that God doesn’t give generously but that we must actually believe God will give us what we need when we ask for it. Otherwise, our minds are constantly going back and forth between asking and doubting if God will answer. We need to settle it before we ask. God will give us clarity of insight when we ask with unwavering faith.
Relate it to your life.
If I ask for wisdom, I can confidently count on God giving it.
Do something.
“Father, I ask for wisdom for each decision I make and action I take that it will be pleasing to You. Amen.”
November 7-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:9-11, Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Observe what it is saying.
Earthly wealth gives us no reason to be proud. Whether we are wealthy or poor, we will pass away just the same. It’s not the money that’s the problem. It’s what we do with it. It’s how we treat it. Is it a tool for good or is it our god? Whenever we trust in anything other than Jesus, we have humiliated ourselves because our faith is in such a short-lived and impotent object. However, those who refuse to trust in this world, but put their full trust in God have elevated themselves to the highest place because that’s where Christ is. He is the true source of the most fulfilling and joy-filled life this side of heaven.
Relate it to your life.
I must not settle for the false lure of earthly wealth when I have the promise of eternal wealth.
Do something.
“Father, give me the wisdom and spiritual courage to keep my trust in the eternal kingdom. Amen.”
November 8-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:12, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Observe what it is saying.
James returns to his earlier theme of trials. He knows they have suffered and may be suffering in their new surroundings as they have fled the persecution that broke out in Jerusalem and throughout Israel as a result of the threats of pre-called Paul and others. God’s blessings come to those who persevere, who endure the pain and choose to keep trusting and following Jesus without giving up. As they faithfully stay connected to the Vine during this challenging ordeal, they pass the test of having a genuine faith. Unless our faith is tested and found to hold steady and strong, we really don’t know if it is genuine or not. Because of our experience of Jesus’ love for us is so evident and our love for Him is so deep, we refuse to forsake our Lord. We hold true today because of our loving relationship with Him, and we stay strong because of the promise of being awarded the prize of eternal life on that Day that’s coming soon.
Relate it to your life.
The joy of my authentic loving relationship with Jesus will hold and keep me during days of suffering.
Do something.
“Father, take me deeper into knowing Your love so I won’t give up when the tough times come. Amen.”
November 9-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:13-15, When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Observe what it is saying.
James makes it clear that God cannot be tempted nor does He tempt anyone to sin. That’s the devil’s role, and our responsibility to protect ourselves. The question is, what do we do when evil desires come into our minds? Do we entertain these thoughts, or do we bring them under the authority of Christ? 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Jesus said to Peter when he was used by Satan to tempt Him not to go to the cross, “Get behind me Satan.” Jesus diffused His temptation in the wilderness by quoting Scripture. The quicker we dismantle the evil desire the more likely we will have victory over it. Once the desire has conceived itself in our hearts and minds, then it quickly gives birth to sin. If left unrepented, it leads to eternal condemnation and death.
Relate it to your life.
I must take responsibility and not blame God for my participation in sin.
Do something.
“Father, give me wisdom and courage to diffuse each temptation before it becomes sin. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals