datethewordtest

Tag: James

  • Verse to DATE the Word on May 11 (5/11) is James 5:11

    Verse to DATE the Word on May 11 (5/11) is James 5:11

    “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance
    of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very
    compassionate and merciful.” – James 5:11
    Having Heroes Helps in Hard Times

    Let us start this devotion with a couple of questions I trust you will pause to answer.  
    #1 Who are your heroes? 

    # 2 Why do you look up to them?  

    As I ponder the questions, I have several people that I could list.  Some of them are presently very close to me and some are now in heaven, and some are historical figures, both Biblical and non-biblical.  Ultimately, I find my heroes to be those who are overcoming or have overcome the greatest of struggles.  I think it is true for the vast majority that as we ourselves struggle with the struggles of life we find ourselves drawn to and inspired by those who overcome the greatest struggles- yes – those who endure through the hardest and most difficult of times.

    Pastor James writes a letter to struggling believers who have been scatted to the wind (James 1:1).  He wants them to endure and persevere.  One of his methods is to highlight OT characters throughout his letter and show how they persevered.  For Pastor James the #1 example, yes hero, for perseverance is Job.   Job persevered through some of the most immense pain any human being has ever faced in such a short amount of time.  He lost family members to sudden tragic death and his vast finances to natural disasters as well as thieves. And just when you thought it could not get any worse, he lost his health, being covered with extremely painful boils.  (This is all in Job 1 and 2) Reading his entire story reveals how through the struggle and the pain Job became a stronger and a better man. James says to look to Job to be your hero – to be your inspiration as you face your trials.  He did not turn away from God, refusing to curse God.  One of the great lessons he brings us is that he moved to the place where the trials were teachers. He came through – he endured – he persevered and in doing so he increased in the knowledge of GOD! (Job 42:5)

    I love his perspective as he stated in Job 23:10, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”  Job understood what God had intended!!!

    It is worth remembering again that Pastor James is writing a letter to teach believers how to face trials. With a trial, you can turn ON God or turn AWAY FROM God or TURN TO GOD.

    Not sure what you are facing today but I encourage you to face it facing God. TURN TO HIM!  He has a purpose for your pain. He is developing a message with your mess!  As you grow He turns your trial into a testimony!  And the most beautiful thing of all is our gracious,  compassionate, and merciful God is making Himself known to you while also shaping you! 

    Let Job’s life and story inspire you to endure and persevere during hard times!  In doing so you just might become a hero to someone else on how to handle hard times. 

    Verse to DATE the Word on May 11 (5/11) is James 5:11. It says, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

    Continue Strong by having heroes of the faith help!
    And remember to DATE the Word
     
  • Verse to DATE the Word on April 10 (4/10) is James 4:10

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 10 (4/10) is James 4:10

     “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  – James 4:10
    YOU ARE GOD AND I AM NOT

    For the second time in chapter 4, James calls the believer to humble themselves before the Lord.  Just a few verses earlier in James 4:6 he wrote “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”  James pulls this from Proverbs 3:34. One of the contrasting themes of Proverbs is the proud versus the humble.  God’s response could not be more different as He RESISTS the proud.  A word to describe resists would be a stiff arm.  On the other hand, God lifts up the humble.   Psalm 147:6 says, “The LORD lifts up the humble;”  

    To the one who humbles themselves and confesses their sin, He forgives and restores.  

    To the one who humbles themselves and asks for help in doing God’s work, God empowers and enables.  
      
    To humble oneself is to empty oneself of ego and declare a dependence on another. Instead of one saying I CAN they declare they CAN’T, even though they may think they can. To humble oneself is to refuse to continue to rely on oneself and resolve reliance on another.   

    Over the years I have watched students at school declare to their teachers I CAN DO IT MYSELF and then they make a MESS of things. I have watched adults do the same thing.  I have watched myself declare I can DO IT MYSELF and I make a mess of things!  Hmmm.  It even happens with those in ministry as we RELY ON OURSELVES, believing it is a weakness to rely on God.  Oh, what a mess we make of things.

    The Lord calls to us to RELY on Him.  We are to ABIDE in Him.  We are to TRUST Him. We are to COMMIT our ways to Him. To do these actions means we need to DECLARE unequivocally that WE are NOT GOD!  God is GOD AND I AM NOT HIM.  God is GOD and YOU ARE NOT HIM.  

    HUMBLING oneself releases God to do great things through you!  Make the move today and LET GOD DO FAR MORE THROUGH YOU than you could ever imagine. 

    In closing ponder why is it so hard for you to be humble, to humble yourself before God.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 10 (4/10) is James 4:10. It says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.“

    Humble yourselves before Him, declaring total dependence, and watch Him work!

    Continue Strong living humbly before God
    And remember to DATE the Word
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 1 (2/1) is James 2:1

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 1 (2/1) is James 2:1

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 1 (2/1) is James 2:1
    James 2:1 say, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”
    THE GROUND AT THE CROSS IS LEVEL

    DO NOT claim that you are a Christian if you discriminate.  To hold a person to higher value based on any number of things from social standing to race to economic standing to gender to age etc. is not Christian.  Jesus loves everyone and the gospel is available to all.  As the song says, Jesus loves all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white; they are precious in his sight. Is every soul precious in your sight?

    The teaching of James is backed up by OT teaching and the fair treatment of everyone is a characteristic of God. Proverbs 24:23 says, “These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.” In Leviticus 19:15 we read, “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” Deuteronomy 1:17 says, “You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. 

    In 2 Chronicles 19:5-7, we read that, “He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. 6 He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment. 7 “Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.” 

    Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,” 

    It is so clear that God does not show partiality.  John 3;16 says, “For God so loved the WORLD!”  Christ died for sinners which means He died for everyone because ALL have sinned.  He died for the Jews. He died for Gentiles. He died for the Romans. He died for the Greeks. A reading of the book of Acts will have one seeing He offers salvation to a man of Ethiopia. Salvation was offered to Saul, called later Paul.  He offered salvation to Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. Salvation was offered to a woman named Lydia, a demon-possessed woman, and a Roman soldier. 

    Showing partiality – favoritism – is unchristian. It is totally incompatible with Christianity. Favoritism, prejudice, partiality, discrimination, etc. keeps one from obeying the Great Commission. Let the Word of God speak to our hearts on 2/1 from James 2:1 “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 1 (2/1) is James 2:1.  It says, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”

    A converted heart sees the ground at the cross is level and wants the gospel to go to the WORLD that God loves, and Jesus died for!

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26

     Our verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26
    James 1:26 says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
    CONVERSION CHANGES YOUR CONVERSATION

    If one has experienced a conversion to Christianity, then one of the marks of the conversion will be their conversation.  When the Lord enters our lives our language changes.  The filthy mouth gets filtered and our language is clean and wholesome.
     
    Pastor James is writing a letter that gets to the heart of the matter and he will address the language of believers several times in his letter. In chapter 3 he will drill down on how harmful the tongue can be.  He will ask very directly and pointedly how could one’s tongue bless God and then turn around and curse men.  He states emphatically that these things SHOULD NOT BE. 

    The Christian is to have CONTROL over their CONDUCT and their CONVERSATION!  The Christian is to have clean, wholesome, words proceeding from their tongue.

    As far as finding verses to help with controlling your conversation THERE ARE MANY!! The Book of Proverbs has around 150! 
    Here are just a few to help you BRIDLE your tongue:
    Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
    Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
    Psalms 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
    Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.“

    Are you converted? If so, your conversation will be different!   If your conversation is not different then you need to ask if you are really converted!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26. It says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue has deceived his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

    Continue Strong with wholesome words!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25
    James 1:25 says, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”
    Obedience to God opens doors of BLESSINGS

    Pastor James is challenging readers to DO SOMETHING with what they are hearing and reading from God’s Word! He has been very direct with this challenge. He expects the reader to be a DOER, not just a hearer!  Like Solomon with Proverbs and Jesus with the Sermon on the Mount there are the appeals to BE DOERS of the WORD and as one DOES, they are BLESSED!

    As a reminder that God blesses obedience:
    In Proverbs 8:32 we read, “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.  33  Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35  For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;”

    In Luke 11:28 Jesus said, “blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

    Recall David’s opening Psalm as he says “BLESSED is the person who…..delights in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

    Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

    Psalm 119:2  Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,     Who seek Him with the whole heart!

    When you are reading God’s Word you are to take a good look at what God has to say, looking at it like looking into a mirror to be told of changes that need to be made.  As you see the changes that need to be made you TAKE ACTION!  It is in taking the actions that the TRANSFORMATION takes place.  

    Be a DOER of the WORD and as you do you will experience the BLESSINGS OF GOD!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25. It says, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”

    Continue Strong in OBEYING the Word
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23
    James 1:23 says, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”
    Do more than look at yourself in the mirror!

    The Bible is not a class you can audit!!

    Are you just “looking” at God’s Word but not living it?

    Are you staying the same after seeing what Scripture says about how you should be living?

    Here is a good question to consider: Are you just auditing the Bible but not applying the Bible?

    Pastor James wants more than observation of the Word! He wants obedience to the WORD!  The study of God’s Word is INCOMPLETE without the APPLICATION of the WORD!  You can hear the Word, read the Bible, see the Scriptures, learn the Word, search the Scriptures, acquire Biblical knowledge, memorize the Scriptures and meditate on it yet doing all these wonderful things is not enough.  It still comes down to the APPLICATION of God’s Word by obeying what it tells us to do or not do. 

    LEARN the Word and LIVE the WORD. LOVE the Word and LIVE the WORD.

    .Friends, we are to be far more than HEARERS – we are to be DOERS!  James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  The wise man hears and does! The foolish man is one who hears but does not obey!  

    It is not Bible knowledge that makes one wise!  It is obedience that makes one wise! 

    Are you one who believes but does not practice what one believes? 

    Are you using the “mirror” of the Word to bring about changes?   Don’t just look at the Word and leave looking like you did when you looked.  Let it change you!  Make the decision to obey what you have learned!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23. It says, “or if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

    Don’t dismiss what God is revealing to you!

    Continue Strong obeying God’s Word
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19
    James 1:19 says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
    Getting CONTROL of TONGUE AND TEMPER

    The control of our tongue and our temper are two areas of our lives that seem to be more difficult to control than other areas.  Pastor James will challenge us by demanding of us to MAINTAIN control of both. Just as the Book of Proverbs over and over addressed these two areas multiple times Pastor James will address these two areas multiple times.  

    Starting with the tongue he implores us to use our EARS.  It has been said that “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we ought to listen twice as much as we speak.” I think James would agree with that.   He wants to see INTENTIONAL and IMMEDIATE LISTENING.  In other words, Less talking; More listening!
    Being SWIFT to hear with ears is being THOUGHTFUL.  So many of us are SWIFT to SPEAK.  Drawing from Proverbs we are reminded not to be QUICK TO ANSWER!  Proverbs 18:13 says, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”  

    Be swift to HEAR with the EAR! Be THOUGHTFUL!

    Be slow to speak is a call to be CAREFUL with your words.  Remember that the tongue, though it is small (James 3:5) can spark a huge fire bringing all kinds of destruction.  Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Are you being CAREFUL with what your little tongue says? Is your mind engaged before your mouth speaks?  

    BTW – Do you have a great filter on your mouth?  For those who might need some help here, I suggest:
    Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
    Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers
    Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

    Be slow to TALK with your TONGUE!  Be CAREFUL!

    James now says, “Be slow to wrath.”  Like our tongue, our temper can get us in so much trouble.  Recall Proverbs 14:17 as it says, “A man of quick temper acts foolishly.”   Ever do something stupid because of LOSING your temper?   

    The self-control of our temper is crucial.  Proverbs 25:28 gives this picture to ponder: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.”  We must rule our reaction!  We don’t want to lose the cow over spilled milk.  (You may have to think on that one – it comes from a world most of you don’t know anything about.)   Enacting self-control of our reaction means doing the opposite of what you are feeling. Instead of getting mad, show mercy.   

    Be slow to explode with your TEMPER!  Be MERCIFUL!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19. It says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

    The self-discipline of our tongue and self-control of our temper are a must as Christians. Failure to maintain these two crucial areas could be disastrous!
    Continue Strong under control,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 5 (1/5) is James 1:5

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 5 (1/5) is James 1:5
    James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
    GREAT NEWS! There is heavenly help for earthly living.

    Pastor James tells us that as we are facing the challenges of life our heavenly Father makes His insights for living available.  His WISDOM is available at the ASKING!  His wisdom allows us to see and understand life from His perspective.  His wisdom provides the skills for living life. 

    Do you need help with living life? Of course, you do.  Now a fool might answer differently because they are a know it all.  Don’t be a fool.  Recognize and acknowledge that you know that you don’t know it all.  A man by the name of Solomon becomes king.  In a dream he is told that he could ask God for ANYTHING.  As he looked at all the responsibilities that had been entrusted to him he ASKED FOR WISDOM.  In 2 Chronicles 1:10 he asked, “grant me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people.”  Why did he ask for wisdom?  The answer is found in the last statement of verse 10.  Solomon says, “For who can judge this great people of Yours?”  Solomon recognized and acknowledged that he knew he did not know what he needed to know. 

    Instead of being a know it all, go to the One who knows it all!

    I surely do not know what trial you are facing but I do know there is heavenly help available at the asking.  Heed the advice of Pastor James that screams ASK OF GOD! Please DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK!! And if there is a hesitation to Pastor James’ advice, I remind you that Hebrews 4:16 extends an invitation stating, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

    Day by day and moment by moment hear God’s voice saying to you DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK ME FOR HELP.  DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK ME FOR WISDOM!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 5 (1/5) is James 1:5. It says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

    GREAT NEWS! There is heavenly help for earthly living.  There is God’s wisdom available at the asking.

    Continue Strong with heaven’s help,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD