November 11-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:16-18, Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Observe what it is saying.
From last week’s reading, James made it clear that God does not tempt us. Here, he reaffirms that message by telling his readers not to be deceived. Far from tempting us to do evil, God the Father gives us many good gifts. In fact, we can be assured that every good and perfect gift is from above. We can easily see God’s goodness as the Creator of the universe with all the planets and stars that shine brightly in the heavens above. God doesn’t change. He’s not good in one moment and evil in the next. James indicates that the greatest gift is the new life that comes through the gospel. As a spiritual first fruit, this spiritual birth is the first stage in God’s cosmic plan to remake the entire universe.
Relate it to your life.
God’s generous gifts are abundant and lead us into eternity.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for all the amazing gifts that You keep giving over and over. Amen.”
November 12-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:19, My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Observe what it is saying.
James offers the first of his teachings on the tongue. He offers the most simple and helpful advice ever given when it comes to enjoying healthy relationships. The key is to listen first and foremost. Listening is an act of love. It shows that we value one another as we give them our full attention as they speak. We listen for more than content but for the message behind the words. We want to know what emotional, relational, or spiritual need they’re expressing. When we speak too rashly, we can miss the heart of the message. However, when we have truly heard what has been communicated, we can speak intelligently and with appropriate emotion. Especially, in conflicted conversations, if we don’t listen to fully understand what the other person is communicating, the exchange can lead to sharp tongues with angry outbursts. When we actively listen first, we can respond in a Christlike manner that keeps the conversation going in a positive direction.
Relate it to your life.
I show my love and respect to others when I attentively listen without needing to quickly respond.
Do something.
“Father, give me patience to fully pay attention to others and caution when I speak. Amen.”
November 13-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:20-21, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Observe what it is saying.
We are told the reasoning for being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. It’s to prevent unholy anger which doesn’t please God. Such anger is a leftover reaction from our old unredeemed nature. Anger is a secondary reaction when we’re experiencing hurt, frustration, or fear. It’s an emotion that is difficult to corral in the heat of the moment. It takes an inner work of the Holy Spirit. That’s why James goes on to command us to get rid of the darkness within and accept the life-changing word that has been given to us. The word and the Spirit working together save us. The Word and the Spirit working together, also, change us so that unholy anger has less and less a hold on our lives. Our response is to fully surrender ourselves to the power and authority of God so we can be transformed for the benefit of our soul and our relationships.
Relate it to your life.
God can turn my anger into a healthy expression when I give myself fully to Him.
Do something.
“Father, I ask that you flood my life with Your light to dispel the darkness and anger within. Amen.”
November 14-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:22-25, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Observe what it is saying.
James tells us that merely reading Scripture or attending worship or participating in a Bible study is not the goal. We must not be deceived by failing to act on the message we’ve heard. Truly engaging God in His word will lead to transformation. Authentic faith is a responsive faith. We eagerly hear what God says so that we can put it to work in our lives. In making disciples, Jesus said we are to teach others to obey His commands. When we conform to Christ’s teaching, we will experience a change deep within that leads us to continue to walk in Christ’s way and experience God’s eternal blessings.
Relate it to your life.
Each time I engage God in His word, I should expect to act upon it in some real and significant way.
Do something.
“Father, give me a willing heart to clearly hear Your word and put it to work. Amen.”
November 15-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:26, Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Observe what it is saying.
To set the stage for this verse, we need to remember that the religious are those who have been given new life through the word of truth. (v.18) The second thing is that James has taught that we should be quick to listen but not quick to talk. James emphasizes here and later that what we say matters significantly. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10) Jesus also taught that the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. The reason our religion can be worthless is it’s not authentic. If Christ is really Savior and Lord of our lives, it will be revealed in how we talk to God, how we talk to ourselves, how we talk to one another, and how we talk to each other about others.
Relate it to your life.
Listening to what I say is one of the most effective measures to determine the state of my heart.
Do something.
“Father, please forgive and cleanse me so I only speak true, holy, and loving words. Amen.”
November 16-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:27, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Observe what it is saying.
James gives us further insight into what religion looks like as redeemed followers of Jesus. Yesterday, we were told to reign in our tongues. Today, it’s the practical care of orphans and widows who did not have the social support system in place as many do today. This message was not new. This was the expectation for all Jewish believers. In God’s instructions to the Israelites as he formed them into a nation, He said, “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” (Exodus 22:22-23) Jesus said something similar in a parable, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40) Redeemed people of God have compassion and offer help to those who cannot care for themselves. In addition, redeemed people recognize temptation for what it is and refuse to corrupt themrselves by following the many patterns and the sins of this world.
Relate it to your life.
My redemption will be reflected in how I care for those in need and by purity in life.
Do something.
“Father, may my compassion and holy living match my declaration that You are my Savior. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:16-18, Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Observe what it is saying.
From last week’s reading, James made it clear that God does not tempt us. Here, he reaffirms that message by telling his readers not to be deceived. Far from tempting us to do evil, God the Father gives us many good gifts. In fact, we can be assured that every good and perfect gift is from above. We can easily see God’s goodness as the Creator of the universe with all the planets and stars that shine brightly in the heavens above. God doesn’t change. He’s not good in one moment and evil in the next. James indicates that the greatest gift is the new life that comes through the gospel. As a spiritual first fruit, this spiritual birth is the first stage in God’s cosmic plan to remake the entire universe.
Relate it to your life.
God’s generous gifts are abundant and lead us into eternity.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for all the amazing gifts that You keep giving over and over. Amen.”
November 12-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:19, My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Observe what it is saying.
James offers the first of his teachings on the tongue. He offers the most simple and helpful advice ever given when it comes to enjoying healthy relationships. The key is to listen first and foremost. Listening is an act of love. It shows that we value one another as we give them our full attention as they speak. We listen for more than content but for the message behind the words. We want to know what emotional, relational, or spiritual need they’re expressing. When we speak too rashly, we can miss the heart of the message. However, when we have truly heard what has been communicated, we can speak intelligently and with appropriate emotion. Especially, in conflicted conversations, if we don’t listen to fully understand what the other person is communicating, the exchange can lead to sharp tongues with angry outbursts. When we actively listen first, we can respond in a Christlike manner that keeps the conversation going in a positive direction.
Relate it to your life.
I show my love and respect to others when I attentively listen without needing to quickly respond.
Do something.
“Father, give me patience to fully pay attention to others and caution when I speak. Amen.”
November 13-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:20-21, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Observe what it is saying.
We are told the reasoning for being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. It’s to prevent unholy anger which doesn’t please God. Such anger is a leftover reaction from our old unredeemed nature. Anger is a secondary reaction when we’re experiencing hurt, frustration, or fear. It’s an emotion that is difficult to corral in the heat of the moment. It takes an inner work of the Holy Spirit. That’s why James goes on to command us to get rid of the darkness within and accept the life-changing word that has been given to us. The word and the Spirit working together save us. The Word and the Spirit working together, also, change us so that unholy anger has less and less a hold on our lives. Our response is to fully surrender ourselves to the power and authority of God so we can be transformed for the benefit of our soul and our relationships.
Relate it to your life.
God can turn my anger into a healthy expression when I give myself fully to Him.
Do something.
“Father, I ask that you flood my life with Your light to dispel the darkness and anger within. Amen.”
November 14-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:22-25, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Observe what it is saying.
James tells us that merely reading Scripture or attending worship or participating in a Bible study is not the goal. We must not be deceived by failing to act on the message we’ve heard. Truly engaging God in His word will lead to transformation. Authentic faith is a responsive faith. We eagerly hear what God says so that we can put it to work in our lives. In making disciples, Jesus said we are to teach others to obey His commands. When we conform to Christ’s teaching, we will experience a change deep within that leads us to continue to walk in Christ’s way and experience God’s eternal blessings.
Relate it to your life.
Each time I engage God in His word, I should expect to act upon it in some real and significant way.
Do something.
“Father, give me a willing heart to clearly hear Your word and put it to work. Amen.”
November 15-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:26, Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Observe what it is saying.
To set the stage for this verse, we need to remember that the religious are those who have been given new life through the word of truth. (v.18) The second thing is that James has taught that we should be quick to listen but not quick to talk. James emphasizes here and later that what we say matters significantly. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10) Jesus also taught that the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. The reason our religion can be worthless is it’s not authentic. If Christ is really Savior and Lord of our lives, it will be revealed in how we talk to God, how we talk to ourselves, how we talk to one another, and how we talk to each other about others.
Relate it to your life.
Listening to what I say is one of the most effective measures to determine the state of my heart.
Do something.
“Father, please forgive and cleanse me so I only speak true, holy, and loving words. Amen.”
November 16-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
James 1:27, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Observe what it is saying.
James gives us further insight into what religion looks like as redeemed followers of Jesus. Yesterday, we were told to reign in our tongues. Today, it’s the practical care of orphans and widows who did not have the social support system in place as many do today. This message was not new. This was the expectation for all Jewish believers. In God’s instructions to the Israelites as he formed them into a nation, He said, “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” (Exodus 22:22-23) Jesus said something similar in a parable, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40) Redeemed people of God have compassion and offer help to those who cannot care for themselves. In addition, redeemed people recognize temptation for what it is and refuse to corrupt themrselves by following the many patterns and the sins of this world.
Relate it to your life.
My redemption will be reflected in how I care for those in need and by purity in life.
Do something.
“Father, may my compassion and holy living match my declaration that You are my Savior. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals