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DER I T PUR E YOJ

JAMES BIBLE READING JOURNAL

CALVARYCHURCH

INTRO

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

James 1:1

Welcome to this 30-day reading plan, through the book of James. This book of the Bible has been a favorite for centuries mainly because of its honesty, practicality, and direct nature. James didn’t pull any punches or hold back from speaking reasonably and logically about what the Christian life should look like. In a world of lukewarm Christians and compromised beliefs (both then and now), the book of James stands out as a clear call to live for Jesus fully and accurately. Each daily devotional within this book will end with a prayer point, a specific idea or topic from that day’s lesson we hope you will take the time to meditate on and pray about. Before we get into the book of James, it’s important to first have some background context that will help you to better understand what you are reading.

There are several men named James mentioned in the New Testament, such as James, the brother of John and son of Zebedee, also known as James the less, who was the first of Jesus’ disciples to be martyred. There was also James, the son of Alphaeus, another of the twelve disciples. But reliable tradition credits the book of James to the one called James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus, who led the church in Jerusalem during its formative years. The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that Jesus made a special appearance to James after his resurrection. This miraculous appearance and the unrecorded conversation between the two was most likely the cause of his dramatic conversion because, up to that time, the brothers of Jesus seemed unsupportive of His message and mission.

After James’ conversion and initiation into this newly formed Jesus sect, he followed with great devotion. Early written histories of the church tell us that James was such a man of prayer that his knees had large and thick calluses, making them look like the knees of a camel. He lived the 2nd half of his life as a faithful servant of Christ, which is how he introduced himself in verse one of his book. Knowing that this James was the half-brother of Jesus makes his self-introduction even more significant. He did not proclaim himself “the brother of Jesus” or leader of the church, which he was, but only a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was far more than James’ brother in his eyes. Much more importantly, Jesus was his Lord. For James to claim to be a servant, or in some translations, a bondservant of Jesus is a significant use of words. It translates from the ancient Greek word Doulos, and is probably better translated as slave. Think about that for a moment; James declares himself a slave of Christ. For James to refer to his brother as Lord is also significant. The word used translates from the ancient Greek word Kurios. It simply means the master of a Doulos, and in this context, it means that James considered Jesus God. James lived in humility towards his brother because he came to a deep and profound recognition that Jesus was not simply a good teacher or an enlightened prophet. Jesus was God.

James’ book was really a long letter written to the twelve tribes. What James meant by this reference to the twelve tribes is difficult to understand. The question is whether James wrote a letter to only Christians from a Jewish background, or to all Christians. Certainly, his letter applies to all Christians, then and even today; yet James probably wrote his letter before many Gentiles were brought into the church.

At that time, the twelve tribes was a Jewish figure of speech that sometimes referred to the Jewish people as a whole. Paul even referred to our twelve tribes in his speech before King Agrippa. The concept of the “twelve tribes” identity among the Jewish people was still strong, even though they had not lived in their tribal allotments for many centuries. At this point in the timeline of the vast Roman empire, the Jewish people were greatly scattered and there was also a Christian presence among most Jewish communities throughout the Roman-controlled regions. Regarding the extent of the dispersion, the Jewish historian Josephus later wrote: “There is no city, no tribe, whether Greek or barbarian, in which Jewish law and Jewish customs had not taken root.”

Early church historical documents tell us that James was later martyred in Jerusalem by being pushed from a high point of the temple. Yet the fall did not kill him, and on the ground, he prayed for his attackers, even as he was beaten to death with clubs. His life on this earth ended full of faith, boldness, spirit-filled prayer, and a hopeful expectation of a coming reunion with Jesus... his brother, and his Lord.

DAILY CHALLENGE

We pray that this devotional is more than just a to do list item but that it allows you to refine the habit of spending time with God. Dwell on the scriptures. Allow God to speak as you meditate on his Word.

Reflect on each entry. Take time to write down what God is saying and how it can be applied to your life.

Go to God in prayer. Thank Him for all He has done and ask Him to continue to refine and strengthen you through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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.

James 1:2-4

DEVOTIONAL

Scent is the strongest sense tied to memory. Stronger than sight, sound, or even touch, our sense of smell is what is most remembered and able to transport our minds back to a particular time and place. The smell of bread, for example, has been known to invoke childhood memories, a favorite restaurant, or a specific grandparents’ house. The smell of freshly baked bread is one of the greatest smells there is, even leading bakeries to position fans to blow the smell out into crowded streets so potential customers’ mouths begin to water and they are drawn into the place of business. It’s interesting to think about how such an uncomfortable process can produce something as warm, fluffy, sweet-smelling, and comforting as a loaf of bread. Think about it; an oven is required to bake bread. An oven is hot, dry, and harsh. The ingredients are mixed thoroughly and the dough is beaten into shape. At the end of the process, the finished product has gone through a lot to become what it is, and each step along the way was a necessary and vital step to produce that end result.

In the same way, your life will go through trials of many kinds. You will experience pain, loss, discipline, and suffering in one form or another. It cannot be escaped because these things are a very real part of the human experience in a fallen world. James begins his letter to the early church with a call to consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds. It seems like such a strange request to make, yet James was fully qualified, he himself having lived through decades of persecution, intimidation, maligning, slander, and opposition of many kinds. He had lost loved ones and faced many forms of pain, suffering, and loss. James learned to see the world around him through the lens of the spiritual and knew that on the other side of pain is an eternity of pure joy, peace, hope, love, and comfort.

So why not live with that perspective now? The trials we face and testing we go through will produce something in us. It does not have to be apathy, despair, or bitterness. Trials can produce faith, hope, and greater dependence on God if we allow it to. Pain is not in vain. There can be a purpose to the pain we experience. It can test and refine our faith and help to produce perseverance so that we become mature, not lacking anything. The word used in this passage for perseverance (or patience in some translations) is the greek word hupomone. The word comes from hupo (under) and meno (to stay, abide, remain). At its root, it means to remain under. It evokes the picture of someone under a heavy load and choosing to stay there instead of trying to escape. James would have been familiar with this weight, and in this way, he modeled the life of Jesus as well. Christ chose to remain under the weight and the burden of carrying our sin on the cross. At any point, Jesus could have left, given up, given in, and returned to heaven. Instead, he chose to remain under and endure the weight of sin, for our sake.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

Think about this in your own life. What is your natural response to pain or trials of many kinds? Do you approach these trials with joy in your heart, seeing them as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ? Or, do you more realistically view trials with a sense of agony and dread? Pray today that your heart and mind would be changed and transformed in this area. Pray that you would view whatever life throws at you with the eyes and mind of Christ, fully surrendered to what He wants to do in you and through you.

DAY 2

BIBLE READING

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.

James 1:5-8

DEVOTIONAL

Any parent who has brought young children to the beach quickly learns one thing: that currents can be dangerous. A child playing in the water can look up and realize they are no longer where they thought they were but have drifted. A current can run parallel to the beach in one direction, then the following day run in the complete opposite direction.

There can even be rip tides, which can quickly pull a swimmer out into deep water. Lifeguards regularly close beaches during dangerous conditions by flying a red flag, warning would-be swimmers from venturing into the water. The point here is that some things which look benign and harmless can soon become unpredictable and even dangerous if we do not approach them with caution...and wisdom

James tells the reader that if you are lacking wisdom, you should ask God. Such a simple idea, yet so many people forget the power of simply asking God for what you desire. God’s word even tells us that in many cases, you have not because you ask not. We serve a God who gives generously and doesn’t want you to lack in anything. However, as with many things God gives, there is a prerequisite. If you want something from God, you must believe and not doubt. The one who doubts doesn’t receive from God because the truth is that they didn’t expect to receive anything anyway. Also, they do not possess an accurate view of the Lord and they surely don’t live with Holy Fear of him. The one with doubt and a lack of faith cannot possess wisdom, because fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

James describes a person lacking wisdom like a wave, being blown and tossed by the wind. In this case, the wind and waves are not literal, but symbolic of the seasons and circumstances of life which will be thrown at us. A wave of the sea is a fitting description of one hindered by unbelief and unnecessary doubts. A wave of the sea is without rest, and so is the doubter. A wave of the sea is unstable, and so is the doubter. A wave of the sea is driven by the winds, and so is the doubter. A wave of the sea is capable of great destruction, and so is the doubter. If there is no anchor, nothing to weigh us down or keep us grounded, we begin to drift in the waves. We compromise, become apathetic and move further away from the will of God, not accidentally towards it.

When this happens, we should not expect to receive anything good. James explains that these types of people have become double-minded and unstable in all they do. They have become like a ship without an anchor, drifting on the currents of life, being taken where life and societal pressures will take us, without any sort of direction or destination.

Think about this idea within your own life and journey. Are you living on purpose and for a purpose? Or, are you simply drifting through life and moving only according to what happens to you? Do you lack wisdom? If you were to ask God for wisdom, do you think you would gain wisdom? Why or why not? In trials, we need wisdom a lot more than we need knowledge. Knowledge is raw information, but wisdom knows how to use that knowledge and experience. It has been said that knowledge is the ability to take things apart, but wisdom is the ability to put things back together. Let wisdom, which comes from the Lord, be your anchor and compass in the storms of life.

DAY 3

BIBLE READING

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.

James 1:9

DEVOTIONAL

There is a recurring common story (with many slight variations) about a man who was a multi-millionaire but dressed like someone who was homeless. He walked around everywhere he went wearing old clothing and shoes with holes in them. He didn’t own a car. He rarely spent any of his own money, and people who didn’t know who he was frequently offered him money so he could either get some food or a haircut. But the real locals who knew who this man was were quick to tell others about him, explain where his vast fortune had come from, and make predictions about exactly how much his net worth currently was. Outward appearances can be deceiving. We are a people who are so quick to judge and determine a person’s worth or value with just one glance. We do this often without even realizing we are doing it, constantly judging and sizing up the perceived worth of another.

Even the phrase “net worth” is interesting because of how it connects the idea of worth in relation to how much money or assets a person has. Have you ever thought about how strange, yet sadly accurate, that phrasing is? It is as if we as a society and culture have purposely tied how much money a person has to their perceived worth as a person.

James points out this common hypocrisy which also ran rampant in the days of the early church. He recognized that circumstance and position are two very different things. There may be a rich man who lives under great circumstances, yet their position before the Lord is not where it should be. And there may be a believer who lives in poverty; what others would describe as humble circumstances, yet because of their faith in Jesus, they have a high position before the Lord as children and heirs of God. Even a homeless orphan can be viewed as part of the royal priesthood of God. Good circumstances don’t equal good position. Your circumstances of this life will pass away and be long forgotten, and all that will remain is your position before the Lord. The sun rises and withers the plant. Every beautiful flower will eventually drop it blossom and whatever beauty it had will be destroyed. This was James’ way of pointing out that to see the temporary physical existence as more important than all of eternity is short-sighted and foolish. The rich will fade away and everything they own will not make the journey from this life to the next. Do not be like the foolish person who invests in and lives for the riches of this world. Instead, store up treasures that will show up for eternity.

It’s interesting that we are told to take pride in and prioritize our high position before the Lord. It sounds almost oxymoronic if we don’t understand the context. We ought to take pride in humility. How does a person take pride in humility? It sounds strange, yet there it is. The answer lies in the idea that you can be in two positions at the same time... you have your physical position and your spiritual position.

You can take pride in your spiritual position because that is what truly matters. Don’t fall for the trap of taking pride in your physical position or circumstance. It is surely a trap of the Devil that has been used for thousands of years. If you possess any sense of pride or admiration, let it lie with the only one who deserves our praise.

DAY 4

BIBLE READING

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.

James 1:12

DEVOTIONAL

A classic scene in any sort of fantasy story, whether in a book, movie or tv show, is that the hero of the story has to face some sort of test, or even a series of tests in order to succeed in their quest. This is the nature of what makes a hero; that their character, their strength and their resolve will need to be tested at some point. A hero simply cannot be called a hero until they have passed a test. One aspect of many of these tests set before them is that the hero will need to make a difficult choice or choose a path. They may have to choose which door to walk through, which weapon to choose, or which literal path to walk down, but in every test there will be wise choices and foolish choices. A wise choice leads to a pleasing outcome and success, but a foolish choice will lead to an even greater challenge and great danger. There is a very real possibility that a foolish choice will cost the hero their prize, or even their life.

James tells us that at the end of our life, if we have made the correct choices, we will receive the crown of life, but those who have not stood the test will not receive the crown of life. This is a difficult thing to hear because we live in an entitled society that demands everyone should get the prize, no matter what they did. But the reality is that far more people will not receive the crown of life than those who do receive it. The good news is that we know that those who receive the promised crown are those who love the Lord. They have stood the test and passed in a way that is pleasing and honoring to God. The test is not a secret or some sort of trick. We all know exactly what the test is and we have been told how we can pass, yet still, far more will fail this test than pass it. Far more will choose to live in eternity separated from God than in relationship with him. How sad that is, and also, this reality should create a sense of urgency in each of us that there are people in our world that need to know what is at stake. Notice the specific wording of today’s verse and how it does not say, “Blessed is the man who is never tempted or never undergoes any trial.” It also does not say, “Blessed is the man who finds all temptation or trials easy to conquer.” Instead, the promise of blessing is given to the one who endures and overcomes temptation and trials.

James knew that trials and temptations would come. They cannot all be avoided or ignored. A Christian life is not a life spent dodging difficult things. A Christian life is a life that endures and overcomes these things, not by some special ability or human strength, but because we are in Christ and Christ has already overcome the world! We simply have to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and at the end of our journey, there is a crown waiting for us.

DAY 5

BIBLE READING

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.

James 1:13-15

DEVOTIONAL

We all have heard of or seen people, perhaps on TV or in real life, who have strange pets: A python, alligator, tiger, or maybe a raccoon or two. It looks so strange to see an animal, normally out in the wild, in captivity and possibly even wearing a collar or some funny-looking pieces of human clothing. When they are small, most of these wild, exotic pets are cute and even cuddly, but over time that pet begins to grow larger. These pets can often become dangerous over time and many exotic pet owners have had their pets put down or put into a cage because what used to be easily controllable has now become out of control.

A similar thing happens when it comes to sin and temptation. At first, flirting with sin can be seen as fun and even seem harmless and well under control. A drug addiction never starts as a drug addiction. An affair starts with a wink or a lingering glance.

A thought becomes a habit that eventually turns into an obsession. Our choices take us one step closer, even if those first steps are only out of curiosity or intrigue. Over time, we may realize that all those tiny steps have added up to something we thought we desired but now don’t really want. People often want what they desire, but don’t want the consequences of what they desire. They want the taste of an ice cream sundae but without the calories. It is our own evil desires that entice and drag us away from what God has for us. When it comes to temptation, always remember that God doesn’t tempt people. God cannot be tempted, nor does he tempt, because tempting to do evil is evil in itself. There is a major difference between tempting and testing. God tests a person, he tests the spiritual armor they are wearing or claim to wear. But Satan looks for weaknesses and exploits those weaknesses. God tests with the hope that you will stand stronger. Satan tempts you with the hope that you will become weaker and fall. God tests you so that you will be stronger and more free. Satan tempts you so that you will be weaker and more enslaved to sin. The desire that leads to sin will continue to grow if it is not dealt with and repented of, and that fully grown sin, like a wild animal, is destructive and will lead to spiritual death and separation from God.

That is a lot of bad news if you think about it. But it’s the bad news about what sin can do that actually makes the good news so good. No matter how trapped or enslaved you think you are, God has made a way of escape through the blood of Jesus. No one has to live as a slave to sin any longer! No one has to experience spiritual death and disconnection from God any longer! The beauty of salvation is that you are passing from death to life. You have stepped out of the shackles of sin and the domain of darkness and into the wonderful light and freedom of Jesus. The Devil, that roaring lion, has been caged and you need not fear him anymore.

DAY 6

BIBLE READING

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.

James 1:16-18

DEVOTIONAL

Every Christmas, without fail, something happens millions of times around the country and even the world. That something is the hunt for the perfect gift. You’ve all done it. Husbands, wives, parents, boyfriends...they spend hours racking their brains, searching online, asking for advice, and even visiting many shops hoping to find that one gift that will make the recipient’s eyes light up in surprise when they open it. Over many years of Christmas shopping and searching for the perfect gift, you come to realize there are people who are difficult to shop for, and there are people who are easy to shop for. Either that perfect gift will be easy to find, or the perfect gift will be an ongoing major struggle, and every option you settle on will always seem to fall short.

The question that arises from this yearly phenomenon is this: What is a good gift? What makes one gift good and another gift bad, especially if the good and bad gifts were of similar cost?

The answer lies in a handful of criteria: Was the gift thoughtful? Was it useful, timely, and of good quality? Will it last and does it actually fulfill a need or desire that the recipient had? Perhaps the recipient was pleasantly surprised because the gift was something they didn’t even realize they wanted or needed, but now are so thankful that they have. The bottom line is that good gifts take time, effort, and discernment to get right, while bad gifts usually don’t.

James reminds the reader of something important; that all good gifts ultimately come from above. It is God who gives us life and breath and everything good. God gives flowers and lakes and rivers. God gives us sex and blessing and children. It’s true! Everything that is truly good comes from God and flows out of his nature. God is the source of everything good. This means that anything that comes from God is good (even if it doesn’t seem like it) and it also means that whatever does not come from God is not good. Even if it seems pleasing and good...if it’s not from God, it’s not good. James describes that one of the greatest gifts of God is that He never changes. The biblical term for this is the immutability of God or the unchanging nature of God. God is always good, and his gifts are always good. He does not change like the shifting shadows of so many of the things in our world. This means that if God was full of love, compassion, grace, and mercy, he will always be full of those attributes. Among modern theologians, some have adopted a dangerous doctrine called process theology, which says that God is “maturing” and “growing” and “in process” Himself. Basically, it is the idea that God is not immutable and unchanging but is actually getting better over time. James refutes these ideas and states that God does not change like shifting shadows. That is very good news.

DAY 7

BIBLE READING

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 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.

James 1:19-21

DEVOTIONAL

There is a well-known saying that states that God created you with two ears and one mouth with the idea that you would listen twice as much as you speak. James seemed to agree with this sentiment, telling us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

To be quick to listen means that we should make every effort to let listening be our first move of response. To be slow to speak means that we should listen first and fully understand what is being said before we reply. To be slow to become angry means we should have self-control and discipline over our emotions and not let those emotions cloud wisdom and better judgment. It is this ungodly anger that produces the opposite of righteousness within us. James urges his readers to get rid of all moral filth and evil and instead replace it with the word, which can save you.

The word of God is more powerful than any man’s hard exterior. It is more powerful and accurate than our own ego. Selfish Pride is the scariest part of being human at times. It operates like a parasite, taking your life slowly. The way people often listen to themselves above God stems from a human sense of pride. We know God says to live holy and to heed His word, yet, we choose the path we decided for ourselves over the one He laid out for us. We can live so blinded by the lies we tell ourselves while living in the flesh. We have such a deep desire to control and rule our own lives so badly we blatantly ignore the truth of God’s word in pursuit of those desires. Adam and Eve had the luxury of God’s provision at hand but still chose to reject him. Esau had the birthright as the firstborn son, but still sacrificed his identity for human hunger. We often do the same thing, looking for ways to feed our flesh at the expense of what is truly important. Yet, God calls us to be different. We worship what we listen to and we listen to whatever we elevate in worship. It doesn’t matter how often you attend church or the good deeds you do if you’re not connecting with God’s word.

Sometimes, we go to church like a duty or chore but never actually do it with God in mind. We do it as a checklist or maybe because we feel guilty or ashamed of sin. At its core, James is a book all about wisdom and worship. James doesn’t let believers stay comfortable because he knows that we tend to worship ourselves more when we’re comfortable. James calls us out of our recliners and country clubs. Comfort in and of itself isn’t a bad thing. We serve the God who gives comfort. But we don’t have to be controlled or bound by the need for comfort. We’re called to leave the need for comfort behind, the wealth of Egypt like Moses did, and instead find comfort in the one who provides true comfort. The right kind of comfort, the kind that comes from God himself, develops righteousness and holiness within us instead of pride and apathy.

DAY 8

BIBLE READING

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. James 1:22-25

DEVOTIONAL

There is a well-known saying that states that those who do not remember their history are doomed to repeat it. Truer words could not be spoken. When people forget the lessons of their own past they tend to make those same mistakes over and over. Failed pursuits, failed forms of government, failed relationships, and crumbling empires have plagued our world for thousands of years, when all along, leaders could have easily learned from the generations who went before them and avoided similar mistakes and consequences. The key to this principle is to remember, not only the things we want to remember, but also that which is painful. Pain can be a useful tutor. It can lead us to a place of proactiveness in which we avoid many regrets others will endure.

Pain keeps us from making the same mistakes twice, or at least it should. The child who touches a hot stove should remember that pain and not make the same mistake twice. But as history has shown us, generations have a way of erasing the lessons of those who went before us.

James warns us to not just listen but to make sure that what is going into our mind is also acted upon. It is not enough simply to listen or to learn. To listen or learn without acting upon what you heard is deceiving yourself. It is useless and foolish. It was common in the ancient world for a student to hear and even take notes of the lessons of their teacher. However, If you followed that teacher and actually tried to live what he said, you were called a disciple of that teacher. We may say that Jesus was and still is looking for disciples: doers, not mere hearers or notetakers. James likens hearing but not doing to studying your face in the mirror, but then walking away and immediately forgetting what you look like. Whatever you learned was just as quickly forgotten. So what was the point? While forgetting what you look like is not dangerous or foolish, many people forget the lessons of their past and forget what God’s word says. This apathy or ignorance becomes foolish and even dangerous, not only to you, but to the generations which go after you. We are told to look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom. That law is described as a mirror in that the Law reveals to us where we fall short of Gods perfect standard. We cannot hope to be perfect and keep the whole law in our own strength and power. The law shows us how we cannot save ourselves. It is the perfect law that points us to Jesus and points us to the action of pursuing him. This is how the perfect law leads us to freedom. And also how rejecting that perfect law brings enslavement. Most would think the opposite, that the law doesn’t give freedom; It is a constraint, like a fence or a seatbelt.

But this is not true, it is God’s boundaries, his perfect law, that lead us to a life of true freedom, protection, and provision.

James’ point in this passage was not his own and did not originate with him. Jesus used this same point to conclude His great Sermon on the Mount. He said that the one who heard the word without doing it was like a man who built his house on the sand, but the one who heard God’s word and did it was like a man whose house was built on a rock. The one who both heard and did God’s word could withstand the inevitable storms of life and the judgment of eternity, but the one who did not would suffer a great fall.

DAY 9

BIBLE READING

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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. James 1:26-27

DEVOTIONAL

Would you consider yourself a religious person? Before you answer that, a wise approach to this type of question would be to clarify what is meant by the word religion. The word ‘religion’ has a lot of connotations, both positive and negative, attached to it. Scripture talks about religion that is pure, and also a religion that is unrighteous and evil. Regardless, recent polls show that around 80% of the US population consider themselves religious. Whatever that number represents is up for debate. To one person, being religious means you are a member of a church; to another it means you read your bible and pray every day; and to another, it means that you attended a church-related service at least once in the past year. To another still, to be religious could mean that they were baptized as an infant but haven’t set foot in a church since. The point is this... there are a lot of man-made definitions for what it means to be considered religious and what a religious life looks like.

The truth is that there are religious lives that are pleasing to God and there are religious lives that are not pleasing or honoring to God. A life pleasing to God is a life that is devoted and dependent on him; a life in relationship with Jesus. A religious life that is not pleasing or honoring to God would be a life that is only religious in appearance from the outside. This is a person who may go through the actions of prayer, generosity and worship, but on the inside, their hearts are far from God and even their seemingly good actions are motivated by selfish desires. Jesus reserved his harshest critique and responses to the Pharisees whose hearts were far from him, even while their actions appeared to be in the right place.

James described this two-hearted divide with clarity and bluntness. He declared that religion is worthless if it doesn’t show up in all areas of your life. Religion doesn’t mean a thing if it hasn’t led us to a place of genuine relationship with Jesus and real transformation. It is useless if our thoughts and actions haven’t been transformed, not from the outside in, but from the inside out. What good is simply going through the motions if our minds and the overflow of our hearts are not disciplined, godly and pure? What good is religion if it doesn’t bring us to a place of worshipping in spirit and in truth?

This pure form of religion is miles apart from what most people are living out in our current world, even among those who claim to be religious. Religion that is pure is a form that is based on selfless, compassionate, disciplined, and holy living. It is not polluted, separated from God, or disingenuous. It is not selfseeking, lukewarm, or compromised.

Think about this in your own life. What kind of religion are you living out? What kind of religion is your life promoting? Is it pure and God-honoring, coming from a place of authentic relational connection with Jesus, or is it simply an outward display to appease someone else or comfort your own sense of guilt or shame? Questions like these cannot be answered in a splitsecond but require some time to be honest with yourself.

An honest self-evaluation of one’s heart and mind should become a regular part of our spiritual journey, as it was with King David who asked God to search his heart and renew a right spirit within him.

DAY 10

BIBLE READING

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:1-4

DEVOTIONAL

Being in a financially compromised state is one of the most vulnerable and humbling positions a person can be in. If humility is ever an issue for you, consider what you couldn’t live without for a week. Some people can’t live without their phone for two hours, much less a full week. It’s hard to imagine going without your favorite food, your favorite shows, or your favorite places to drive to. Daily life has become more expensive too, which is why many people are facing increased financial tension. When we face financial hardship and struggle, these circumstances don’t all have to be negative and depressing. Struggle can help us to fix our eyes on Jesus and not rely on ourselves to provide what we need. With this in mind, it’s understandable why God values the poor. When you are broke, it is much more likely that you will look outside of your own provision and depend on God. In that humble position, you have fewer choices and options.

You either sink or swim. But through it all, God wants us to know that “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

There are obvious differences, but there are also many things in common between a poor man and a rich man. Whether rich or poor, a person can grow very unmotivated by the status of their finances. For a poor man, discouragement hinders and paralyzes. For a rich man, apathy can also hinder and paralyze. Having an excess of money and possessions can make a person lazy and complacent, but also lack can lead people to a place of despair and a sense of giving up. Whether rich or poor, both can feel the sharp realization of spinning their wheels and going nowhere in particular. Jesus is well acquainted with both stations. Jesus was rich and became poor. He was King but became a servant. Jesus is a sovereign God, but died in a lowly place, for both the rich man and the poor man. This is why Jesus, and also his brother James, were adamant about not neglecting the poor, showing favoritism to the wealthy, or determining worth and value based on material possession or status. James knew that God is far more concerned with the inside than the outside. Jesus understands us more than we will ever know, whether rich or poor. For one thing, He created us and knit us together in the womb. Yet, He experienced the human condition and grew up with little. During His time in Nazareth, Galilee, and Jerusalem, Jesus saw many poor people. Jesus ate with prostitutes and healed lepers. Jesus took the time for the woman with an issue with blood, the demoniac, and many blind and sick. Jesus also conversed with wealthy people. A rich, young, ruler, who Jesus told to give all of his possessions to the poor. Jesus ate at the house of Zaccheus, who gave back all the money he had taken. One thing these various classes of people had in common was that they both desired to be filled with something that only Jesus could provide. The same is true in your life. There are things you may be seeking that you have spent a lifetime looking for, but these things can only be provided through Jesus.

DAY 11

BIBLE READING

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”you are doing right.

9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

James 2:5-9

DEVOTIONAL

Most children learn what is referred to as the Golden Rule when they are very young. While they may have learned the Golden Rule in church, it is more likely they learned the idea to treat others how you yourself would want to be treated in public school. It’s interesting how most people in the secular world don’t even realize the Golden Rule is a Christian idea that originated in the Bible with Jesus himself in Matthew 7:12. Society often uses or quotes sayings that sound good and wise without knowing or realizing that the reason they are good and wise is that those sayings originated with God himself and are found in His word.

James reiterates the Golden rule in today’s passage but refers to it as the Royal Law. It’s the simple, yet profound idea to love your neighbor as yourself. At first, this idea or Royal Law might not seem like that big of a deal until we look around our world and see how entire governments and social structures are at odds with God’s design. India, for example, has a caste system in which some people have a perceived higher level of value and worth and others are seen as unworthy and even of less value than an animal. These systems and social structures represent examples of where people do not love their neighbor as themselves. In China, entire groups of people are exploited and forced to work in horrible conditions simply because they are seen as less valuable or as political enemies of the governing authorities. All over the world, we find exploitation, mistreatment, and favoritism. We find people perceiving others as having either more or less value and worth than they really have in the eyes of God. And we also see everywhere that has moved away from the principles found in scripture has also moved away from freedom and into a greater sense of corruption and enslavement.

What does it look like to be poor in the eyes of the world, yet rich in faith? In what ways do we dishonor God when we show dishonor and injustice to those who are poor, and favoritism to those who can better our own station? As Christians, we are not called to see people through the lens of classes or what value we think people have or do not have. We are not called to only live by the Royal Law to some who can benefit us, but not to others. We are not called to live as the world does. We are called to see people as God sees them, as each one loved and valued as children of God. Not only should we carry that view about ourselves, but it should also be reflected in how we interact with others and how we talk about others, even those we may not see eye to eye with.

DAY 12

BIBLE READING

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:10-13

DEVOTIONAL

We’ve all seen or been on one side or another of this situation: A parent calls their kids into the living room, sets them on the couch, and asks a simple question: Who took my keys? If there is silence, the parent will ask once again with more details. “One of you took the keys that were sitting on the counter? If still, no one fesses up, the desperate parent may do something drastic and say something like this: “If you tell me now who took my keys, you won’t get in trouble. Just admit you took them, and please give me back the keys.” This short window is what’s known as a grace period. As long as you admit what you did, confess and make it right, there will be mercy shown and you’ll avoid punishment. You won’t get grounded or even lectured.

For the parent, the most important thing in that moment is getting the keys back, and the parent doesn’t want the fear of punishment to cause the child who took the keys and maybe accidentally threw them in the trashcan to keep their mouth closed. The thing about grace periods is that they end. If the parent found out a week later that the keys had been thrown in the trash after the trash had already been taken out and picked up, now the child is getting in trouble for two things; taking the keys which they were not supposed to touch, and not telling the truth about what happened to them.

In today’s passage from James, we read that mercy triumphs over judgment. That sounds good, but what does that mean? Both mercy and judgment ultimately come from God and are both important to God, but God is a merciful God who would rather you choose mercy than be left with judgment. This is why mercy triumphs; because of what Jesus did on the cross we now have the opportunity to choose the mercy and grace of God instead of standing under God’s judgment. Many people have chosen this free gift of grace and mercy. This is what Salvation is. But sadly, far more people throughout history have rejected God’s grace and mercy and instead choose to stand in judgment for their sins. They reject the offer that Jesus would stand in their place and instead choose to attempt to pay for their own sins...something they could never accomplish in their own limited strength and ability.

God not only desires that we choose the grace and mercy he extends, but He also desires that we would be people who extend that grace and mercy to others. In the same way that God is forgiving, loving, and compassionate toward us, we too should extend that same forgiveness, grace, and compassion to others. Keep in mind that this does not mean we ignore truth or justice. It means that mercy and grace supersede these things; they come first.

Mercy triumphs over Judgement. Grace comes first, then truth. In the same way, we are currently living in a period of grace, but always remember that another period, a period of judgment, is coming. With this in mind, there should be a sense of urgency, not only for ourselves but for everyone we do life with and the message of good news they so desperately need to hear.

DAY 13

BIBLE READING

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

James 2:14-19

DEVOTIONAL

Imagine going to a used car lot and the salesman shows you the car he thinks is perfect for you. However, there is one thing you should know about this car. It has everything you would ever want, and an amazing sound system included, but the only drawback is that the engine doesn’t work. How would you respond to the salesman? Most likely, you would shake your head and clearly explain that the car is worthless and useless to you if the engine doesn’t run. In the same way, if you went to look at a beautiful house for sale only to find out that the roof was missing, you would quickly throw up your hands in frustration and explain to the real estate agent that this house was useless and a complete waste of your time.

These are obvious examples of missing something vital, but in the same way, we can miss something spiritual that is vital to our lives. James explains it like this: What good is it if someone claims to be a person of faith, yet they have no deeds to back it up? More simply put; what good is it to claim to be Christian, but live like an atheist? He makes a sound, reasonable, and logical point. What good is it for someone to claim they are a Christian, in a relationship with Jesus, if there is nothing in their life that is a positive fruit that proves and backs up what they claim? Simply believing that God exists is not enough. Even Satan and demons believe in God. Simply knowing some verses of the bible is also not enough. Even Satan and demons know what God’s word says. We have to do the works that God has called us to while remembering that it is not those works that save us. Salvation is a free gift that we can do nothing to earn. We must always be reminded that good works flow out of Salvation, not into it.

Faith needs to be accompanied by action. The two go hand in hand. They cannot be separated or in each hand you really have nothing. If you have deeds, but no faith, then everything you’ve done is all for yourself and none of it will show up in eternity. But if you have faith, but not deeds, then you are living as a hollow facade and it is really all just a pretend show. The best thing we can do is to have both faith and deeds working together. We boldly show our faith through our deeds, and our deeds flow out of the authentic and genuine faith we hold in our heart. We don’t just tell people we are Christian, we show them through what we do and through who we are becoming. The fact that we are followers of Christ is clearly seen in our lives when we continue taking steps towards him and actively follow Christ. What good is it to be called a follower if you’re not actually following? The main point is this: If your faith is not seen in what you do, then what is the point?

DAY 14

BIBLE READING

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:20-26

DEVOTIONAL

Attending an open-casket funeral for the first time can be strange, especially for a child. There is often a looming sense of awkward confusion. What do I do? What do I say? How am I supposed to behave in a situation like this? These are some thoughts that may have gone through your mind when you first experienced this. Another strange aspect of a funeral is that the person who died is there, but they are also not there. Their body may be present, but the life within the body is not. There are no actions, movements, words, or even thoughts.

The body is dead, but the eternal spirit lives on somewhere else. This picture of a lifeless body in a coffin is similar to the idea of faith without deeds. Faith is lifeless and dead without movement and action. Staying with this metaphor of a funeral, a person who dies will be remembered for their deeds, not something they held in their heart but was never acted upon. What good is it for a father to feel love for his children yet refuse to act upon that love; to refuse to protect them, to provide for them, and to lovingly care for them? What good is it for a wife to claim she loves her husband, yet refuse to care for and share loving words or actions with him? What good is it for a person to claim to value legacy and the next generation yet to squander their wealth and leave nothing behind for them? Something held in your heart must be acted upon, or it is useless. What if God so loved the world but he didn’t give his son? What if God claimed his love for us yet did nothing to reconcile that which was disconnected and broken? What if Jesus didn’t go through with it? The result would be that we would still be separated from God and would be for all of eternity. But that is not what God did. His love was backed up by and followed through with action, the greatest act of love that could ever be done.

James explains and clarifies this idea further using the Old Testament character Abraham. Abraham’s righteousness came from what he did in faith. The only things that Abraham did that counted for anything were actions done in faith. The covenant between God and man was written in faith and signed by action! The idea is simple; a person is considered righteous by what they do and not what they intend to do. Intentions and beliefs are not enough, they need to be acted upon for your faith to be made complete. Anyone who refuses to accept this truth or ignores it is acting foolishly. As a body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds. James used very blunt and direct language because of how important this idea was for the local church. And if it was important for the church and those within it then, it is still important now.

DAY 15

BIBLE READING

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

James 3:1-2

DEVOTIONAL

At the beginning of James chapter 3, James addresses a problem in the early church of people wanting to and aspiring to be teachers. To understand this problem and what led to the idea James presented that teachers would be judged more strictly, we need to understand what was happening. At that time, the area of teaching as ministry work had become seen as a position of great honor and authority and therefore had become coveted and popular. This most likely stemmed from the honor given to Rabbi’s and the fact that Jesus functioned as a Rabbi for three years. People wanted to be teachers because of the positive things that went along with being seen as a teacher. This was a potentially serious problem that would only get worse if it wasn’t addressed. James warned those pursuing teaching to be aware of its serious and heightened responsibilities.

The words of James serve as a reminder that among teachers in the church, there is more to teaching than having natural or spiritual gifts; there are also the additional elements of character, integrity, and right living. Teachers will be judged more harshly because of what is at stake. Those who teach were in such a position of influence (especially at that time) that their choices did not only impact themselves but dozens if not hundreds of lives that were actively being molded and taught based on what that teacher said and did. Teachers held the hearts and minds of many in their hands and this should have been seen as a great responsibility. This is what a Rabbi was, one who imparts or leads by becoming an example for others to learn from, follow and imitate. This is why James was correct in saying that a teacher will be judged more harshly because their words and actions are not their own. Others are following them, others have eyes and ears fixed on their Rabbi. With this in mind, James explains that becoming a teacher was not for everyone. The weight and burden of responsibility should be reserved for those not only gifted but willing to do their work in a Christ-like manner, knowing that they would be judged not only by what they taught, but how they lived.

This idea is very relevant, not only in our churches, but in the world as a whole. Now more than ever, people are seeking a platform and a position of honor in order to influence those who listen or follow them. Social media influencers often have thousands if not millions of followers, who pay close attention to what these influencers say, what they buy and how they live. Anyone who has an attentive audience has a responsibility to that audience. With any platform comes influence and with influence comes the question of what we are doing with that influence and where we are leading those who follow us. There is a weight to leading, teaching, and influencing. You will be judged more harshly because God’s children’s hearts and minds are being molded by what you say and do. Lives and eternities are at stake.

DAY 16

BIBLE READING

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3:3-6

DEVOTIONAL

What do bits, rudders, and sparks all have in common? Today’s passage from James not only tells us the answer but makes a powerful connection between these three common things and a vital spiritual truth we would all be wise to learn and live by.

A bit in the mouth of a horse allows the rider to steer the horse where it should go. Even something as potentially wild, powerful, and unpredictable as a horse can be now under control and disciplined. The rudder of a ship may be small, but it allows a large ship that would otherwise drift aimlessly to have a determined and controlled course. A spark may also be small, but if left unguarded, it can quickly cause a fire that can rage destructively out of control. James uses these three pictures to wisely explain the power of the tongue.

The first two visuals, the bit and rudder, tell us of the great potential of the tongue, its powers of persuasion, and how the tongue can be used as a tool for good, for guidance, and in the service of others. The third visual is that of a great forest fire and tells us how the tongue can also become a destructive force and set things in motion that would be better left undone.

The tongue may be small, but makes great boasts, tells great lies, and holds great influence. The truth is that words can be powerful forces for good or for evil but, words don’t begin in the mouth. Words begin in the heart, and then the mind, and then overflow from your thoughts to your mouth. Our tongues do not have control over our minds, it is quite the opposite. Yet many people have allowed their unfiltered and undisciplined speech to determine the course of their life. They have lost control of their life because they have lost control of their tongue. It doesn’t have to be this way, and we were not created to live at the mercy of an uncontrolled tongue, whether ours or someone else’s. The point here is that each of us gets to decide what our speech will be. We choose what the overflow of our heart will be. Will the words you choose to say be a force and a tool for good... for building, encouraging, evangelizing, and speaking the will of God, or will your speech be a force and tool for evil; for destruction, anger, bitterness, hatred, mocking, gossip, and prideful boasts? That depends on what is filling and overflowing out of your heart.

Never before have we needed this practical advice more than we do right now. We are living in a world of undisciplined, destructive, and manipulative speech. Now more than ever, the tongue has divided mankind into warring factions, hateful mudslingers, slanderers and deceiving agents of spiritual darkness. We speak first and think about what we’ve said later after the damage has been done. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Your tongues and the words you say can be reclaimed as weapons for God’s Kingdom. Scripture gives us instructions for speaking with wisdom, discernment, truth, and love. God’s word tells us how our hearts can be remade and molded in the image of Christ so that the mind of Christ and the words of Christ are expressed every time we open our mouths.

DAY 17

BIBLE READING

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:7-12

DEVOTIONAL

Have you ever met a person who does not have a filter when it comes to the way they talk? A person like this puts those around them on edge because they never know what to expect. With just a word or phrase, a person with no filter can create drama, offenses, and situations where bridges are burnt which would have been better left standing. In today’s passage, James isn’t talking so much about our literal words as he is talking about the fruit of our lips. What is our speech producing, both in our lives and the lives of others? Our tongue holds the power of life and death because our words can have such dangerous real world effects. The issue is not the grammar of the words but the aftermath.

Once those words leave your mouth, there is no going back. Your words can leave a dent in someone’s heart or help to repair the damage, though damage is much more easily created than repaired. We often don’t understand or fully grasp the heaviness of our words or the value of wisely taking our time when we express a thought. Our words can be full of poison or sweet as figs.

The truth is that without Christ, we cannot hope to produce good fruit. We cannot expect our mouths to speak words that heal if our hearts have not been healed already. People speak what they know, and if they know only pain and hurt, they will speak pain and hurt. And if they don’t know Christ, how can they speak the healing words of Christ? Jesus said that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. If there is anger and bitterness in our hearts, our mouths will speak insults and complaints. The reason the world speaks in such a selfish and cruel way is that their hearts are filled with that same selfishness, pride, and cruelty. The enemy has blinded them with darkness, and therefore, their hearts produce evil fruit by their tongues. They speak words that cut through your personhood and defame you. Words that put you down and eradicate your concept of selfworth. Words that prophecy falsely over your life and future. Words that are meant to intimidate and accuse you. Often, we can be led to take on and adopt this worldly form of speech as our own. The heart is renewed through Jesus and yet, we still fight the need to speak nasty and hurtful things to each other.

James desires that Christians act like they have been changed. We can no longer go back to our old ways of speaking. Our tongues, along with our whole bodies, now belong to Jesus and we are being sanctified to become more like him. As we spend more time with Jesus, we reflect Him more and our fruit becomes more holy. The fruit of our lips is to be like figs, sweet, but not just decoration. A tree looks great with good fruit hanging from its limbs, but the fruit is only as good as the sustenance it gives.

We don’t bear fruit to look like Christians, we bear fruit because we are Christians and it’s in our new nature to let Jesus bless people through us. That is what sanctification is all about, letting Jesus take over every part of us so that the blessing of God can flow through us. If your tongue is only creating fires and bringing forth bitterness, bring it to Jesus. Through yielding every part of us to the Holy Spirit, we bear more fruit that can in turn bless others. We can speak words that not only speak life but encourage and empower others to also be fruitful. We can enliven people as they walk in the Lord, and not corrode them with saltwater streams. We can instead become the cool stream of water to someone else that helps fruit to grow in their lives.

DAY 18

BIBLE READING

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:13-16

DEVOTIONAL

In one way or another, this scenario has happened to most, if not all of us. We are watching a movie or reading a book, and within the story, we see a character who possesses something we want. Maybe they are living in opulence, luxury, and great wealth, maybe they have great power and influence, or maybe they are just incredibly athletic, talented, or beautiful. Whatever it is, some part of us wishes we could have something of what they have. There is a version of these desires that are innocent enough, but there are also versions of envy, jealousy, and ambition which can easily become dangerous, toxic, and sinful. This is where envy turns into and becomes bitter envy; our hearts are poisoned with dissatisfaction over what God has given us and long for something more.

This is the point when ambition becomes a selfish ambition; instead of seeking more for the betterment of others, we seek more only for our own satisfaction and gain.

These ideas of bitter envy and selfish ambition are the major subjects of today’s passage from James. Where do these feelings come from? What do they ultimately lead to? What should we do about them when they raise their ugly head in our lives? To some extent, these feelings undoubtedly will make their way into our hearts and minds. We all become bitter about our lives at some point. We all look at ourselves in the mirror and wish we could be more like someone else. We look at what another person owns or possesses and wonder why someone else has what we want. The real question then becomes what you will do with these thoughts and emotions. What will you do and where will you turn to achieve or possess that which you think you lack? Many people who take action to get things they think will bring them joy later realize that these things didn’t make them happy and left them feeling more unfulfilled than they were before. They also regret the roads they walked and the choices they made along the way to get the thing they now realize they don’t really want or need.

We all want the good life, and we often live our lives seeking out the good life. But in verse 13, James tells us that this good life can be found through deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. The good life is not a life of harboring bitter envy and selfish ambition but a life full of humility, godly wisdom, and living out that which points to your faith in Jesus. Whenever we seek out a counterfeit good life, we can be assured that James was correct in saying that disorder and every evil practice will be close by.

Lying, cheating, stealing, and cruelty can always be found when people seek out a better life apart from the source of where that good life actually comes. James directly says that this unholy pursuit is earthly, unspiritual, and even demonic in its origin. Think about this in your own life; instead of pursuing the result, we think we want, why not start by pursuing Godly wisdom, humility, and deeds done in faith, and see where that leads you?

DAY 19

BIBLE READING

James 3:7-12

DEVOTIONAL

Imagine taking the time to till up the ground for a garden plot, then planting seeds, watering, and fertilizing the ground, only to get frustrated after one day that nothing has grown yet. It would be ridiculous to expect any growth after such a short time. We all know that a harvest only comes after much patience and work. First, there will be a tiny sprout, and then, as long as we do not give up and continue to do our part, that sprout will grow, bear fruit and become something that can eventually be harvested at the right time. To give up after only one day, one week, or even a month is a foolish act.

In the same way, we should not expect any sort of spiritual harvest until the things needed for that future harvest have been planted, watered, and tended to. James used this common biblical metaphor of a farmer and his crop to make a point about both spiritual and practical things his readers needed help with. Peacemakers who sow in peace will reap an eventual harvest of righteousness...if they don’t give up or give in. People who plant peace through their words and actions are intentional in bringing peace into situations that are contentious, full of conflict, and division. Peacemakers work towards resolution, reconciliation, and unity. They also work to restore relationships that were broken and lead people out of deception and into truth. Each of these things takes time and a lot of effort. We cannot expect our work as peacemakers to result in a harvest of righteousness overnight. We cannot set the timetable for a coming harvest ourselves. We cannot do what only God can. We choose to continue to do what is right because it is the right and loving thing to do. If we want a future harvest of good things, the best thing to do is to start sowing or planting the right things as soon as possible. Look at your own life through an open and honest lens. What does a peacemaker bring with them when they enter a room? Or when they enter into a contentious situation? How do they carry themselves? What sort of spirit do they walk with? Am I carrying the spirit of a peacemaker?

James answers some of those questions earlier in the passage when he describes wisdom that comes from heaven. It is pure, genuine, peace-loving, considerate, humble, merciful, effective, impartial, and sincere. These are the characteristics of one who wisely acts as an agent of God’s perfect peace. Each of these words could also and have been used to describe the character of Jesus. One could say that the best way to bring peace into a situation, whether it is a family conflict, a marriage in shambles, or a workplace division, would be to bring Jesus into that situation.

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of the source of peace... Jesus. A peacemaker brings the message of Jesus into life situations that so desperately need that gospel message. A peacemaker sees the conflict, whatever it is, through spiritual eyes. They begin to plant seeds of healing and reconciliation the same way Jesus would if he were physically present. This can be you. You were called and created to be a peacemaker, agent, and representative of Jesus Christ on this earth, who brings Jesus into places and situations where good news is most needed.

DAY 20

BIBLE READING

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 4:1-3

DEVOTIONAL

Anyone who has grown up in a family has seen fights in one form or another. Every family argues with each other, even families you would assume from looking at them that they are nothing but compassionate and peace-loving. The way other families fight with each other might look different based on their dynamic; in one family, the fighting may be name-calling and accusations, and in another, it could be back-biting or passive-aggressive retaliation. In another, it could be long-held grudges and timely gossip, or it could even be full-on physical altercations. The point here is that whether they love each other or despise each other...family fights. The fights may happen daily, weekly, or every thanksgiving when the subject of politics is brought up.

The question is not if there will be conflict between people who do life together. We know that is a certainty. The real question is why these fights occur, what is being revealed through the conflict, and how these conflicts are resolved (if ever). We know that, generally, outbursts of anger don’t come out of thin air, they come from within. They come from a heart that is overflowing in a way that reveals a desire. Let’s explain that idea a bit more; a person desires something they don’t have and sees someone else as the reason they don’t have whatever they desire. That person standing in the way of what another person wants will be the one who then takes the brunt of frustration and anger. Thoughts of envy, bitterness, insecurity, and anger often grow in the heart and lead to strong feelings, which then overflow into words and actions. This exact scenario plays out millions of times a day all over the world as it has for thousands of years.

James is direct in his questions and assessment of this reality of conflict. He equates the conflict and battles that happen out in the open with the battles and conflicts that first happen within. This is a logical and reasonable explanation of quarrels and where they come from, but then James makes a bold statement by declaring that you do not have because you do not ask God, and you also have the wrong motives. James adds a supernatural element to what was, up to that point, a totally natural and philosophical conversation topic. The reason we don’t have the desires of our hearts is that we are selfish people, and we seek to be the source of our own happiness. True happiness comes when we flip that idea completely upside down; when our motives align with God, and we see God as the source of those desires which are now in alignment with God. And because God is the source, and he is our loving father, we ask him for what we desire. There is no conflict, battle or quarrel necessary.

DAY 21

BIBLE READING

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

James 4:4-6

DEVOTIONAL

A common literary or speech-giving technique is known as the callback. It means that later on in a story or speech, the writer or speaker refers to something which was mentioned much earlier. It is a way to connect the whole of the book, movie, or speech into one cohesive story with a continued thread that runs throughout, but done in a way that you, the one listening or watching, didn’t notice until the callback revealed this subtle connection to you.

James chose the words of his book carefully and in this passage, chooses a word that has a specific meaning and connection to something which took place much earlier. The word enmity, found in verse four, is also found in one other place in the Bible.

Way back in Genesis chapter 3, thousands of years earlier, God describes, in what is known as the proto-evangelism, or the first gospel, that the seed of the women and the seed of the serpent will live in enmity with each other. The word enmity is better defined as a blood feud. The bloodline of Jesus, which would pass through Seth all the way to Jesus, would be engaged in a continual feud or spiritual war with the seed of Cain, also known as the seed of Satan. This feud, between good and evil, darkness and light, heaven and hell, would continue throughout and become the main focus of the entire Old Testament.

At every turn, there was an evil attempt to destroy the bloodline of Jesus through murder, infanticide, war, compromise and enslavement. This was done to prevent the birth of Jesus and thwart his plan of redemption. Every attempt failed because God had his divine hand of protection upon the entire process, and the result is that Jesus would be born and ultimately defeat sin and death. The story is all connected and it all points to Jesus. Even our own story is connected to this story in a deeper way than you could ever imagine.

James declares that friendship with the world is enmity with God. What he means by this is that you cannot have friendship with a fallen world and a depraved society and also friendship with God. It is not possible. You cannot be filled with both dark and light, or walk the path of both good and evil. You must choose one or the other. Many of the so-called Christians in James’ day were trying to do both! They were attempting to be friends with God and the world at the same time. This is why James calls them adulterous people. That would be like attempting to love your wife and another woman at the same time. But you cannot do this without engaging in adultery!

Today we still live in a society where spiritual adultery runs rampant. The good news is that God is full of grace and will forgive you. You need only to repent and turn away from sin. Those who do not repent but stand in arrogant defiance will not but forgiven, for God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Simply put, those who humble themselves and repent before God will be forgiven, but those who stand in pride will never be able to accept God’s grace and choose to remain apart from him.

DAY 22

BIBLE READING

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:7-10

DEVOTIONAL

In recent surveys among teens and young adults, the most desired and wished-for careers people selected as their dream career was to be a YouTuber or a social media influencer. Of all the jobs which exist, online influencers and producers of video content topped the list, even above the options of sports stars, scientists, actors, and even astronauts. This represents a major shift and departure from the answers which would have topped the list twenty and even ten years ago. The reason these types of careers have become so popular among this age range is that there is a perception that within this career (along with a generous paycheck) there also includes a platform, popularity, influence, and a place for opinions to be seen and heard by a wide and supportive audience. People in this age range aren’t so much interested in the job itself as much as they are interested in what they perceive comes with a career in that field.

While there is nothing wrong with desiring a certain job or position, it is dangerous to have an unhealthy obsession with elevating your own name, becoming popular, famous, or having a platform at any cost. It is this unhealthy obsession and pursuit that can lead people to lie, cheat, steal and compromise their values to achieve the deepest desires in their hearts. Many lives have been destroyed because of such pursuits. James tells us in verse ten that those who humble themselves before the Lord will be lifted up. This statement sounds so simple, yet is completely upside down to the world we live in. So often, in our culture, we adopt these views which are completely backward compared to God’s word. We are taught that if we want to be lifted up, we need to do everything we can in our own strength and power to be lifted and elevated above those around us. We will put others down, compromise our convictions, and do whatever it takes in the hustle to be elevated. But what if we took God’s word for the truth it is? Scripture tells us that the Lord will elevate those who humble themselves and seek to serve instead of seeking to be served. What a world we would live in if everyone chose to serve instead of being served.

It is this submission before God which is actually an active resistance to the Devil and the pride he desires to fill your heart with. A heart filled with pride is a sinful, double-minded heart in desperate need of washing and purifying. Humbling yourself before the Lord will be one of the most difficult things you will ever do in your life, but in the end, God promises that He will lift you up. Take some time to meditate on this idea and take an honest evaluation of your own life. Are you humbling yourself so that God will lift you up, or are you living a life where you seek to be elevated at the expense of others?

DAY 23

BIBLE READING

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

James 4:11-12

DEVOTIONAL

Have you ever slandered someone? Have you ever been slandered by another person? What does it mean to slander another person? Some translations of today’s passage use the phrase “speak evil” instead of slander. The two basically mean the same thing. To speak evil or slander translates from the ancient Greek word Katalalia. Every time this word was used in the New Testament, it was always written in the negative form and never as something good or God-honoring. Katalalia described the sinful practice of those who meet in corners or gather in little groups to pass on confidential information and destroy the good name of someone not there to defend themselves. Is this idea still relevant today? Do people still meet together or pass on information and gossip about one another in hopes it will tarnish their reputation or destroy their life or business?

It is very much alive and well! The practice of Katalalia may look different; people may hide behind keyboards, make fake usernames to remain anonymous, and hide in corners of the internet, but now more than ever, people have made it their job to slander and speak evil of others in hopes of bringing them or their ideologies down.

All sin is inherently wrong, but the sin of Katalalia is wrong for two reasons. First, it breaks the Royal Law mentioned earlier in James that we should love one another. Second, it takes the right of judgment that only God has and gives it to a flawed human. In essence, we unjustly step into the role of judge and cast judgment on someone we know very little about. Keep in mind that this statement by James came right after a passage talking about the destructive power of the tongue. We may think our pithy comments, whether by word or keyboard, are harmless, deserving, and all in good fun, but there is great power in gossip and slander. It has consequences, both for the person being spoken about and for the speaker.

We are all guilty of this to some extent. No one is free and innocent of speaking evil about another person. As a society we have become so good at excusing or finding valid reasons why we malign or speak ill of another. Perhaps they have a different political leaning and had it coming, or they personally hurt you in some way, so now you feel obligated to get back at them to even the score. No matter the reason, God’s words are clear about how we should learn to control our tongues and how we should behave when we speak or write about others. Humbling ourselves and getting right with God must result in us getting right with other people whenever possible. When we are in right alignment with other people, it will show in the way we talk about them, whether we disagree with them or not.

When we judge our brother, we put ourselves in the same place as the law, in effect, judging the law. This is something we have no authority to do and not enough wisdom to do right even if God allowed it. Instead, we must learn to humble ourselves and let God be God. Let God judge others and bring consequences for sin. This is not our role.

DAY 24

BIBLE READING

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”

14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

James 4:13-17

DEVOTIONAL

Humans are obsessed with time. We live by the clock. When we eat, sleep, exercise, and work are all marked out by numbers on a wall. Our lives are so dependent on our perception of time. Even beyond the daily clock, our minds are wired to think in terms of the past, present, and future. We know we can’t go back to the past, and we can’t fast forward to the future either, but we constantly think about, worry, and obsess over both. Even as memories fade, regret and pain can remain. No scientist has ever been able to use a formula to stop time in its tracks or undo what has been done or said. No billionaire has paid enough money to change his mistakes. And despite claims to the contrary, no time machine actually exists.

God has breathed life into us and has set eternity in our hearts. Everyone has a concept of eternity and knows deep down in their heart of hearts that this life is not all there is. There is more beyond the limits of the finite. In this life, we are all still bound by the confines of space and time. Yet, God is not restrained by these things; He exists outside of space and time and therefore controls space and time. He sees what we cannot and already knows the past and future all in a single thought. So why wouldn’t we place our hope and trust in one who already has seen the end result? Why would we not leave the guiding and decision-making up to Him? James describes our time here on this earth as a mist or vapor that is here for a moment, yet quickly vanishes. Where is the wisdom in investing all of our thoughts and energy into something that is so minimal and short in light of all of eternity? We blink, and time has passed us by; first kisses, first jobs, and summer memories will all fade away and be forgotten. The only things that truly matter are the things that show up in eternity.

This does not mean today is not important. What we do today can show up in eternity, and what we do today can show up tomorrow as well. The Lord will not be mocked; a man will reap what he sows. Whatever we do today, the Lord holds tomorrow in His hands. There’s a saying that if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans. The idea here is that people make plans all the time, yet God has already seen the future and knows what will happen. He already knows of your success or failure, and he invites you instead to follow his plan, which has never and will never fail. The Lord desires for you to steward your time well, not simply to hang on for dear life until the roller coaster comes to an end. Time is like money. When you budget your money, you realize that you have more than you thought you did.

The Lord wants you to steward your time because He’s given it to you for a purpose. As believers, we have to differentiate the carriage from the horse when it comes to how we view our time on this earth. We are not the horse in our lives anymore. We have decided to follow Jesus and allow Him to lead us wherever he would have us go. We have chosen to live out the will of the Lord and for each hour of our life to be a tool in the hands of God.

DAY 25

BIBLE READING

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

James 5:1-6

DEVOTIONAL

Over the past 4 chapters, James has taken the time to carefully build a case for the need of total and complete dependence on God. To begin the final chapter of James, He now naturally rebukes those most likely to live independently from God – the rich. This doesn’t mean that all wealthy people live in independence from God. There are many wealthy people, both then and now, who are generous and Godly. There are also many poor, both then and now, who live selfishly and ungodly. What James means by this passage is that it is the rich who are more likely to place their trust in what they possess above what Jesus offers. History has shown James’ caution to be true.

Wealth has historically been a major stumbling block to those seeking the things of God and living righteous lives.

Given James’ position as a leader in the early church, and one that many looked up to as the brother of Jesus and brought their petitions to, James would have heard many stories of how the rich had exploited, extorted, or robbed the poor. He would have also spoken to many wealthy merchants and politicians who were curious about the gospel but couldn’t bring themselves to change their way of life. James would have developed a strong opinion over the years about how worldly wealth could easily corrupt a person from the inside out and prevent their total heart transformation. He used his book as a sounding board to share what was on his heart in a strong and direct way. Worldly riches present a huge obstacle for many people coming to Christ, and also those in the church, preventing them from fully giving their lives over and living in full dependence on God. Wealth has a way of corrupting from the inside out: corroded, moth-eaten... as James describes it, just as a person will become if they put their hope and faith in the possessions that come to possess them. James spoke out against those who had been busy heaping up treasures on earth more than treasures in heaven, hoarding the wrong thing, with motivations to only honor themselves and not God.

The challenge is brought to each of us today through James’ words. What are you hoarding? What are you storing up? What or who are you dependent on? If you are hoarding up money and possessions, just know that you cannot take that with you when you pass into eternity. If you have placed your trust in your bank account and investment portfolio, know that they things cannot save your soul and cannot even save your body.

The people you may have cheated and wronged along the way are not hidden. God sees all, and God will judge based on what you have done in this life, whether right or wrong. The good news is that it is not too late to make things right. Allow the words of James to be a call to live a God-honoring life for the rest of your days.

DAY 26

BIBLE READING

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:7-9

DEVOTIONAL

In his three years of ministry, Jesus often shared ideas, stories, and principles related to farming and agriculture. James followed in his brother’s footsteps in this way because farming was such a relatable medium, especially in that day and age. So much of the farming process could be translated into spiritual truths, and so many of the people listening to Jesus or reading James’ letters would have a deep understanding of the process of farming and what James was attempting to convey.

In today’s passage, James refers to a farmer and how he patiently waits for the land to yield its valuable harvest. The mindset of a farmer is a good mindset for how we should look at many things related to the spiritual. James also refers to the autumn and spring rains, or as some translations say, the early and latter rains.

The early rains, which came in late October or early November, were essential to soften the ground for plowing, and the latter rains, which came in late April or early May, were essential for the maturing of the crops shortly before it came time to harvest. Timing and the ability to recognize the seasons were essential if you wanted to feed your family or have any success in farming. Without the early rains, the ground would be too hard and not be able to be prepared for seed. And if you weren’t prepared to plow at the right time, the weeks of rain would be wasted. Without the latter rains, the harvest may be stunted or withered, so the farmer needed to be patient and not attempt to harvest the crop too soon. Once again, we must understand that this type of patience is not taking a nap or being lazy. This type of patience is active; working the ground, fertilizing, watering, and pulling weeds, yet still waiting patiently for the coming harvest season. This is the spiritual mindset we should have; the mindset of a farmer. They became skilled at practicing active patience, waiting for the right time, but doing what must be done in the meantime.

This is a similar skill that a follower of Christ must develop in their lives, especially in the area of relationships. Relationships need to be tended to like a sprout that grows from nothing. If you want strong and healthy relationships, you better be prepared to pour into them. You had better be ready to plant the right seed and weed out all that doesn’t belong; jealousy, bitterness, and pride. Out of all things in life we could invest time, energy, focus, and finances into, relationships are the most demanding. Relationships require constant attention and maintenance to remain healthy and vibrant. James urges his readers not to grumble against one another, something that is common when a person gets impatient or frustrated.

Grumbling soon leads to rifts, quarrels and division. Instead, we need to show grace to people and not be quick to be angry and bitter. The same judgment that you hold in your heart against a brother or sister will also be used against you.

DAY 27

BIBLE READING

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:10-11

DEVOTIONAL

We all have heroes. No matter how old we get, there are still people in our minds we elevate, look up to, and try to emulate. Our heroes may be real, living people or they may only be a character from a movie or comic book, but either way, we’ve elevated something about their lives as something we hope to aspire to. Maybe it’s their courage and strength, their cunning and planning. In a similar way, we have, or should have, heroes of the faith, people in scripture that we look to as an example of faith, courage, boldness, and steadiness in the face of obstacles. It’s amazing to think that people in the Bible also had heroes of the faith, other people from earlier in the Bible that they looked up to and emulated.

We know that King David studied the life of Moses and often mentioned him in his writings. We know that the disciples of Jesus, and even Jesus himself, read about and studied the heroes and prophets of old like Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Elijah. But now we also see that James looked to the life of Job, a man who lived thousands of years before him, as an example of patience and perseverance in the face of suffering. In the same way, we look to and read the words of James, he himself looked to and read the words of those who went before him in the faith. This should make us wonder if one day people won’t look to our lives as an example to follow.

At the writing of his letter, the early church was facing ongoing persecution and aggressive opposition, but this was nothing new. James reminded his Jewish audience that the overcoming of persecution and obstacles had been around longer than the Hebrew people had even existed. He encouraged them to look to the prophets of old as an example of patience, steadiness, and perseverance in the face of harsh realities. Because of their godly responses, they were seen as honored and blessed. Among these prophets, Jeremiah is one example of someone who endured mistreatment with patience. He was put in the stocks (Jeremiah 20:2), thrown into prison (Jeremiah 32:2), and lowered into a miry dungeon (Jeremiah 28:6). Yet, despite what he faced, Jeremiah persisted in his ministry and always remained faithful to the words God had put in him. Job also endured a terrible ordeal, losing everything he had and facing great pain and suffering. But at the end of it all, God had accomplished something wonderful through Job. Job had become a better and more blessed man than he ever was before. Remember that as good as Job was at the beginning of the book, he was a far better man at the end of it. He was greater in character, more humble, and more blessed than ever before.

Think about the idea of heroes of the faith in your own lives. Are you an example to those who go after you? Are you living an example of wisdom in a world that embraces foolish thinking? Are you being an example of faith under difficult circumstances within a world that pressures you to give up and give in to social pressure? Are you a living example of what trusting God looks like despite living in a culture that presses you to trust in anything but God?

DAY 28

BIBLE READING

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

James 5:12

DEVOTIONAL

For many readers, today’s verse is a strange verse. Most would read it, form a quick opinion on what they thought James meant, and quickly move on to the next meatier passage. But it’s important to slow down and really investigate what this verse is talking about and what it means for us today. For that, we need a bit more historical context.

Many Jewish people in the time James wrote these words made important legal distinctions between “binding oaths” and “nonbinding oaths.” Oaths that did not include or reference the name of God were considered non-binding, and to use such oaths was a way of “crossing your fingers behind your back” when telling a lie. It presented the idea that a person could swear an oath or make a claim to truth, but as long as they did not invoke the name of God, they could actually lie or intentionally mislead someone and it would not be considered a sin.

It is these, and only these kinds of dishonest oaths, that James condemned. The Bible does not forbid the swearing of all oaths, only against the swearing of deceptive, unwise, or flippant oaths. On occasion, God Himself swears oaths (such as in Luke 1:73, Hebrews 3:11, and Hebrews 6:13) The need to swear or make oaths beyond a simple and clear yes or no betrays the weakness of one’s word. It demonstrates that there is not enough weight in one’s own character to confirm their words. Another idea presented here in James’ letter is that there are times and places when integrity and honesty can be switched off or on like a light switch. But James clearly tells God’s people that their conviction of a yes or no should be just that, a conviction that happened all the time, no matter the circumstance or the person you are interacting with.

What does this mean to us today? It means there are not certain circumstances where we are to live in alignment with what is right and wrong, and other circumstances when those ways can be put on hold or suspended for a time. We should not only tell the truth after we’ve put our hand on a Bible in a courtroom and promised to tell the whole truth. We should speak the truth at all times and to all people. We should not do the right thing only after we promised or swore an oath that we would. We should do the right thing all the time, whether we’ve promised to or not. We should not only do business honestly after we’ve shaken hands and made a deal with a person. We should do honest business all the time, whether we are bound by a contract or not. If you do not live by this type of integrity, your lack of character will be exposed at the judgment seat of Christ. This idea should motivate us all the more to prepare for that judgment by speaking with integrity, whether we are swearing an oath or not.

DAY 29

BIBLE READING

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:13-16

DEVOTIONAL

For many years, a popular television show on the national geographic channel was a show called Preppers. Within the show, film crews followed families who were preparing for worst-case scenario events like a hurricane, tornado, nuclear war, or some other disaster. The idea is simple; what will we do if something horrible happens? What can we do today to prepare ourselves for something which might happen at some point in the future? James uses this portion of the final chapter of his book to ask similar questions. What will you do if you are in trouble? What will you do if you are sick? What will you turn to when there is pain?

What if you are happy and everything is going right? How will you react to blessing? What can you learn now and get deep into your heart so that you are ready when the trials and tribulations of life come?

When giving instructions for what a person should do if they are sick, notice that the first response to sickness was not to seek out physical healing, go to a doctor, take a pill...etc, but was spiritual in nature. James had come to learn over the course of his Christian journey that the spiritual condition of a person was always more important than their physical condition. This is also the mind we should have when we respond to sickness. Get mature Christians around you, anoint your head with oil (which was symbolic of the room being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit), and have those mature, faith-filled leaders pray over you. After these instructions, we read a curious statement about sin being forgiven. Once again, spiritual health was shown to be more important and a greater priority than physical health. Even when physical health would seem to be the greatest and most urgent concern, the most spiritually mature tend to the spiritual first. Many medical studies over the years have shown the ramifications of the internal impact of the mind, attitude, and spiritual position of a person in relation to their physical health. For example, if someone with stage 4 cancer mentally gives up and falls into despair, it is a good probability that their body will soon shut down as well. However, if they mentally keep fighting and maintain a proper outlook on the situation, there is a higher likelihood that their bodies will continue fighting as well.

We are also urged within today’s passage to practice confessing our sins to one another. This practice of confession takes a very real burden off your shoulders. A weight that might not be seen but is very much felt. A weight on your mind could very well be affecting your physical health even as you read this.

The good news is that scripture tells us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, not just in the spiritual realm, but in the physical as well. Prayer is effective for change, effective for healing, and effective for freedom of the mind and body. If you are facing trouble, your first response should be prayer to the one who is able to do something about your situation. In the same way, if you are happy, fulfilled, and full of joy, then don’t hold back from singing songs of praise.

In every circumstance, there is a godly response of worship in one form or another. So often, we are stolen away from God; if we are in trouble we turned inward to dwell, to stew, to plot, to scheme, or worry. When everything is going well, we gloat, we revel in happiness, and raise our heads in arrogance. But in either case, God is often forgotten and cast aside. This is not what you were called to. Your response should always be to stay in communication with God, to cast either your care or your praise on him.

DAY 30

BIBLE READING

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

James 5:17-20

DEVOTIONAL

Once again, James turned his attention to a character in the Old Testament to make a point about a current spiritual concept. God’s word is not ancient. God’s word is eternal, which means it was timely and in season when it was written and it is still timely, in season, and full of wisdom today. There is no expiration date for spiritual truths and godly principles. There has been and will be no time in the future when God’s word will fail or become irrelevant or untrue. This is the reason we continue to study God’s word as well as the lives of the characters in it.

The same problems will continue to come up again, the same demons oppose us, and the same wisdom can be used to live effective and impactful lives until the end of time.

James turns his attention from Job to the prophet Elijah to speak about the power of prayer. Did Elijah cause it not to rain? Was it his prayers that caused the rain to stop? No, it was the power of God, but the key here is that God listens to and acts on the prayers of his people. God listened to Elijah and he will listen to us as well because God never changes. We have the ability and position as children of God to sway the very heart of God. How amazing is that! This does not mean that we control God, have authority over him or that God is not Sovereign. It means that God listens and cares for us, as a father would his own child. What should this realization about the power of prayer mean in our own lives? For one, it means that the all-powerful creator of the universe is listening to us, yet so few of us are speaking to him, sharing our gratitude with him, or asking for anything. This passage comes right on the heels of the statement that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. James obviously had Elijah in mind when he made that statement. The Old Testament prophet was surely a righteous man in the eyes of God, so when Elijah poured his heart into a prayer, heaven took notice.

What would heaven say about you? Do you consider yourself a righteous person? What is preventing or standing in the way of you from living a Holy and righteous life? Is that even possible in the current day and age? Are your prayers able to be powerful and effective? The truth is that like Elijah, you are a child of God and you are just as valuable in God’s eyes as any who went before you. Even the heroes of the faith. Nothing is preventing your prayers from being just as powerful and effective other than you yourself. You have not because you ask not, and when you ask your motivations are not in line with Gods.

When your heart and mind are aligned with God, nothing is preventing your life from one day being remembered as a Godly and heroic life.

We’ve come to the end of the book of James. Our hope is that you’ve been inspired and found practical wisdom for life within these pages...however, we’re not done yet. James saves one of his most powerful and practical points for the end of his letter. He knew that there would be wanderers, scatterers, and gatherers. Jesus himself said in Matthew 12:30 that whoever who does not gather is a scatterer and James held firmly onto that idea. A wanderer is someone who drifts from the truth, a gatherer brings people back to the truth, and a scatterer is one who intentionally opposes the truth or prevents people from being gathered back to it. Our world is full of all three.

The role of the gatherer is the role of evangelism. These are Christ followers who seek out those who are separated from the truth of God’s word and with gentleness, respect, grace, and truth, bring that wandering person back into a place of right standing with God. This is what each of us is called and commissioned to live out. Evangelism can often be seen as less than it truly is, but James reminds the reader of the power of sharing the gospel and what is truly at stake. You are playing a vital role in saving a person from not just blindness and being lost but spiritual death. This isn’t just about saving a person from unhappiness or unfulfillment, this verse is referring to something far more important, eternal death and separation from God. This is big. Like a sheep who has wandered away from the shepherd looking for greener grass, only to find themselves standing on the edge of a cliff, so many people have wandered away from God searching for something they hoped would fulfill what only God could provide.

We are called to be like Jesus, in that we would go and seek out these lost sheep with the hope that they will come to their senses, see the error of their way, and return to the loving embrace of their Savior. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and this is our calling as well as representatives of him.

This mission we’ve been given doesn’t mean we force them back or that we yell at those who have wandered and curse them until they feel so bad for leaving, they come back. The implication is that there is a turning, a picture of gently leading a person to repentance because they came to a place of realization and revelation of just what they walked away from and where they are now. Paul echoed this idea in Romans 2:4 by telling the church that it is the kindness of God that leads people to repentance. We do not need to stand on our soap-box and tell people how hot hell is. Grace always comes first.

The Good News is good, both to us as well as those who have wandered. Now that you have read the inspired words of James, don’t just sit there; get out and start living them out. Because, as we now have learned, any form of Christianity without works is useless, worthless, and dead. But a life spent fulfilling the purpose you were created for is the best possible life you could ever hope to live