#5 Devotion: June 25 - July 1

Focus intently upon the Word, in order to be changed.

So often when we think of showing partiality or favoritism, we tend to think of our junior high and high school days. Those were the days of our lives that were filled with a great deal of pressure to belong to the “in crowd,” and many of us would do almost anything to fit in. For those who were not considered part of the “in crowd,” they endured being shunned and even humiliated at times. Now that we are grown up and considered mature adults, we think we have moved past that stage. However, I encourage you to examine your heart and mind as you unfold this week’s daily devotion and determine if you might still be slightly guilty of showing favoritism to certain kinds of people.

Another focus we will examine this week is the partiality of our sinful nature and how it measures in eyes of God. Many times we think we are “okay” in His sight because we don’t commit some of the major visible sins that others commit. However, we may have some secret sins hidden from public view that God considers just as sinful and atrocious according to His standards. I encourage you to examine your heart and actions to see if you may have any secret sins that you consider “not so bad.” Be prayerful that God will guide you in cleaning out the sinful areas that are hindering you from being all that God desires you to be.

What is the first partiality?

Sunday: Read James 2:1-4 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”   

Have you ever found yourself being kinder or showing more appropriate attention to a person who is dressed well as opposed to one who is shabbily dressed? Before you say, “No” stop and think over some of your recent encounters. Recently I was in Phoenix, AZ and traveled around town by means of public transportation. There were many kinds of characters on the public transportation train rides I had. I found myself feeling very leery of certain types of people, and I also found myself looking for those who seemed to be well dressed and possibly going to their job as a professional. I had it in my head that those types of people would be safe and nonthreatening to me. One afternoon late in the day, I rode the train with my husband and son, and we began a conversation with an older lady who was not what I considered “well dressed.” This lady had the kindest and sweetest disposition and was very friendly. One morning I was on the train by myself thinking the same thing that I must sit near someone who is well dressed and has the appearance of being a professional in the world of business. However, this day as I was a bit unsure of my stop, it was a lady who was definitely not dressed as a professional that stepped up to help me understand where my stop should be. She was not only kind, but she also had a genuine concern and interest in helping me.

My perceptions are not always correct. As I think about the people on the train, I begin to see that they are all created by God just as I am. Yes, there are those of whom I should be cautious because they intend evil harm, but their appearance is not always the determining factor that puts them in that category. God created all people, regardless of how much money they have or what kind of clothes they wear. It is not my place to judge them and find them guilty of being of lesser quality. It is my responsibility to see all people as God sees them and to demonstrate love to them as He would.

In your journal today, list times and people you have found yourself shunning or avoiding because of how they looked or were dressed. After you make this list, consider each person listed and say a prayer that God will reach down and bless them in some way today. Also, ask God if you need forgiveness from Him for how you judged each person. If He is leading you to repentance, write that in your journal and ask God to forgive you for this behaviour and attitude toward these people.

Monday: Focus on James 2:5-7“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?” Today as we focus on our scripture, let’s consider those who seem to be poorer than others. Have you ever considered that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the King of Kings, came into this world and lived as a poor working man? He did not dress in the finest of clothes and attend the finest schools, nor did He associate exclusively with the wealthiest in town. He humbled himself as a poor carpenter’s son, whose earthly father had to work hard in order to take care of his family. The scripture says that, “God has chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him…” There is a difference in being wealthy with material possessions and wealthy in faith and in the inheritance of God’s Kingdom. Of course, not everyone who is poor materially will be rich in Christ, and not everyone who is wealthy will be without Christ, but it is far better to be poor and have Christ than to be wealthy and not have Christ.

Generally speaking, it was the wealthy and socially elite that oppressed the poor and rejected Jesus, a poor man, as the Son of God. This passage tells us it is dishonourable to the poor man to shun him who does not have great wealth.

Think today about the people you will encounter this week. It is possibly that God may place someone of a different social class than yours in your path who is needing encouragement or kindness demonstrated to them. This may occur in a public place. Are you willing to be seen by others demonstrating acts of encouragement and kindness to this person? Be careful of your answer to this question because God may very well test that answer this very day.

In your journal express your feelings, whether comfortable or uncomfortable, about being seen in public conversing and even praying with a person who is considered lower class than you. Be honest because God already knows your heart and the truth. If it seems to be a struggle, ask God to give you the ability to do what He may call you to do when the opportunity arises.

What is the second partiality?

Tuesday: Focus on James 2:8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.” Today we are only going to focus on one scripture passage. In fact, we are primarily going to focus on one word: neighbor. Who is your neighbour? Right now answer that question in your journal.

Now, let’s focus on the meaning of that word. Most of us tend to think that our neighbor lives either next door to us or at least within our neighborhood. Is that the meaning intended here? Actually, the intention here is that we are to demonstrate the kind of love to all people as we would like to have demonstrated to us. Yes, that means all people that God created, not just those who live around us. It even includes those whom we might consider unlovable and even unworthy of love.

We should stop and lend a hand or an encouraging genuine word to those who are in need regardless of how we see them. We are a very busy and fast paced society, that rarely has time to give time to the needs of others. According to this verse, we are to love others the way we love ourselves, and in order to do that, we must take time to get to know people and spend time understanding their needs.

In your journal record an event from this week or last week in which you saw an opportunity to demonstrate love to someone. Record the events and how you handled the situation. Did you seize the moment or did you allow it to pass you by? Do you wish you would have handled it in a more appropriate manner? If so, pray and ask God to allow you another opportunity, so you will have a chance to appropriately show God’s love to someone that really needs to be loved. After you encounter that event, record the details and your feelings about the event.

Wednesday: Focus on James 2:8-11 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” 

Yesterday, we questioned the demonstration of love to others. Today, we are going to consider our sinful nature and reflect to see if we have sins that are hindering our relationship with Christ. As we think about the sin in our life, many of us tend to think we are doing okay because we are not committing the wicked and visible sins such as murder or adultery. If we have not committed such a big sin, then we must be okay in God’s eyes. Right?

Wrong! If we have any unconfessed sin in our life, God is not pleased with us. Just because it is hidden from the world, God still sees it and knows it exists. If sin is there, we are considered a transgressor of the law. It doesn’t matter how small we think the sin is; it is still sin to God, and it separates us from a close relationship with Him.

Today, focus on your heart and your actions. In your journal write a prayer asking God to reveal to you anything unconfessed and unforgiven sin that you may have that you are unaware of. Once He reveals it, begin praying and asking forgiveness.

Thursday: Focus on James 2:12-13 “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Too many times we judge others pretty harshly based on the sin in which they are involved when it is visible and obvious. We sometimes even go so far as to think we are far above those people because we are by no means involved in such things as they are. This attitude creates a major problem for us. We are putting ourself in the place of God and measuring sins and placing them into categories and excusing the lesser levels of the categories. Not only are we not to measure our sin and judge others based on their sin, but we are also not to place judgment on others. That is a responsibility set aside for God. Each person’s sin is between that individual and God. Yes, we can pray for and counsel those who will allow us, but we are not to take it upon ourselves to become the judgement of God in their lives.

We should have a broken and compassionate heart for those who are in visible and known sin. We should love them enough to pray for them and provide guidance if God prompts us to go to them. If God does lead us to someone, it is very important to remember that we are not going to them to act as his/her judge, but we are going to help a brother or sister to find restoration with and forgiveness from God. We should not go to any person in such a condition until we have spent time with God ourselves confessing and allowing Him to reveal and cleanse us of the sins He sees in our lives and hearts.

Search your heart and evaluate your thoughts and opinions of others in whom you have seen visible signs of sin. How do you deal with those people? Do you think badly and judgmental of them? Do you feel sad and broken hearted for their condition and earnestly pray for them from a heart of love? In your journal write a person’s name for whom you believe God wants you to earnestly and passionately begin praying.

Friday: Reflect on James 2:1-4 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”  Review this passage and exam your heart as you have encountered people all this week. Did you see everyone from God’s perspective, or did you still have tendency to see them through eyes of judgement and place a lesser value on their soul because of who they are or how they look? In your journal write your progress in this matter or write your struggle and desire to overcome this attitude. Today’s thought is short, but it may require you to spend a great deal of time in prayer and journaling with God and your heart.

Saturday: Reflect on James 2:12-13 ““So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Have you thoroughly dealt with the Mercy that we are to demonstrate to others? Are there still people with whom you are struggling to offer mercy? Sometimes people living in known sin tend to step on others and hurt them as they diligently work to get their desires. Often they do not even care that they have hurt people as long as they get what they desire. Do you know someone who behaves in this way? Has someone you know and love been hurt by such a person? Have you been hurt by such a person?

Today, as you reflect on this passage and your heart, remember that offering mercy and forgiveness to these people is very difficult. You may struggle with this for a while, and sometimes when you think you have mastered it, the negativity resurfaces. Don’t be hard on yourself; be merciful and ask God to help you to overcome, and then ask God to enable you to offer mercy and forgiveness to that person. You will not be able to do this in your own strength. You must rely on God to give you the ability and even the desire to offer mercy and forgiveness.

Reflect these thoughts in your journal and be patient with yourself as you work through this process.

May you be blessed.

#4 Devotion: Week of June 18 - 24

Focus intently upon the Word, in order to be changed.

So often we get stuck in the rut of our human selfish nature. We sometimes tend to hear only a portion and miss the full story, or we do not take the time to fully comprehend. Sometimes we feel as though we are being treated unfairly by others who are behaving selfishly, and we find ourselves becoming upset or frustrated. Our thoughts begin working, and  our emotions take over. Before we know it, we are acting in ways we should not be acting and are saying things we should not be saying. We forget or don’t consider that once an action is done or a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back. Although apologies can be made and forgiveness can occur, the lasting effects of the damage are done and cannot be removed from people’s minds.

Our focus this week deals with the way we interact with others in tense situations. As you read and journal, allow God to guide and direct your thoughts and ask Him to reveal to you areas in which you need to change in order to be more like Him. Allow God to show you how He sees you instead of how you see yourself. 

Why do I act and react the way I do?

Sunday: Read James 1:19-27 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”   

Today, read this passage two or three times and meditate on the entire passage. Allow God’s Word to penetrate your heart. Pray and ask God to begin revealing areas of weakness that He wants you to face and change. In your journal today, write out the areas that God has brought to your attention. This revealing may take all day or even all week. Be patient and trust that God is doing a work within you, but it may be similar to eating an elephant—one small bite at a time. If God has brought or throughout the week brings more than one area to your mind regarding the scripture passage, ask Him to show you which one He wants you to deal with first.  In your journal underline or highlight the one area He has revealed that has top priority at the moment.

Monday: Focus on James 1:19-20 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” 

Today’s focus is on the quick tempers that often take control of our actions and words. According to the scripture, we are to be quick to hear regarding the needs of others, slow to speak our thoughts and opinions, and definitely slow to anger regardless of the situation.

Do you ever get down right mad over a situation or an action of another person? (Be honest—this is between you and God, and He already knows the answer). Why do you get so upset? Is it because you are not getting “your way”? Is it because you feel you are receiving injustice? Is it stemmed from a sense of pride? Take a few minutes and write out the answers to each of these in your journal.

Now, think of one situation that comes to your mind in which you behaved in an inappropriate manner. Make a note of that situation in your journal and let’s begin processing it. The latter part of verse 20 tells us “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” In the situation you noted in your journal, were you demonstrating the righteousness of God? I assume we both agree the answer is, “No.” Right now pray and ask God to forgive you for allowing that kind of attitude to creep into your mind and pop out through your actions and words. Ask Him to give you the ability to submit your mind and thoughts to Him, so that this characteristic can be removed and replaced with God’s way of listening, staying silent and gaining a deep understanding, being filled with compassion, patience, and grace instead.

We need to be able to act, react, and speak in ways that others can see the righteousness of God in us in all situations. We will be more effective in reaching and drawing others to Him, if we appear different from the world and demonstrate a loving, sweet spirit that only comes from God and radiates His grace and compassion. One last question for you to address in your journal—Is God possibly allowing you to endure a situation so others can see His glory and greatness? Don’t get hung up on your own selfishness and miss how God is desiring to use you in the lives of others.

Tuesday: Focus on James 1:21  “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Maybe you only deal with anger and becoming upset with others once in a blue moon. If that is the case, don’t relax and begin to feel you are completely in the clear. Today our focus is all other filthiness and rampant wickedness we have in our lives. Specifics are not listed in this particular passage, but you, as well as I, know that any characteristic we have within us that is not of God is filthy, wicked sin and must be removed. Pour out your heart to God today begging Him to reveal to you the characteristics that you may have within you that is hindering your relationship with Him as well as hindering your effective usefulness to glorifying Him and enhancing His Kingdom. You may still be struggling with yesterday’s devotion point of anger and quick temper or you may have another characteristic God has brought to your attention. Write that in your journal and begin praying that God will enable you to completely surrender that characteristic to Him and allow Him to remove it from your being. Then, pray asking God to implant  His Word within your heart so that when tempted to revert back to that old characteristic, you will be able to submit it to His will immediately.

I must admit, it is very difficult to behave in a Godly manner at all times as none of us are perfect. However, we are able to behave in Godlike manners if we have His Word in our hearts daily and submit ourselves to Him at the very beginning of our day. If we wait, events will occur that will set us up for a major fall, and we will end up doing more harm than good for the Kingdom of God. It is far easier to ask for God’s enabling power to handle the events of our day at the onset of the day than it is to seek His help after we are smack dab in the middle of the event that is leading us astray. Write a statement of commitment in your journal stating that you will submit your day to God each morning upon awakening, and you will allow Him to implant His Word in your heart. Once that commitment statement is written in your journal, highlight it, so you can quickly be reminded of your commitment as you thumb through your journal from time to time.

Wednesday: Focus on James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” 

Yesterday, we touched on putting God’s Word in our hearts and minds first thing in the morning each day to help guide us through occurrences that pop up during the day.  Today, we are going to focus more intently on the importance of applying God’s Word daily. Today we see in the scripture that we are to not only listen to (or merely routinely read) God’s Word, but we are to do what it says. God’s Word is a clear indication of how we are to be living on a daily basis. It is not enough to just read the Word daily, but in order for us to become more like Christ, which is our goal as a Christian, we should apply the principles and characteristics that are discussed in the scripture. How can we understand the specifics of the instructions if we flippantly read God’s Word and move on about the rest of our day? We absolutely cannot comprehend and understand what He is instructing us to do unless we spend time focusing and pondering the words we read.

The metaphorical analogy used in the scripture is that of a person who quickly looks at himself in the mirror and goes about his day, getting busy and forgetting what he saw in the mirror. That illustration is there to help us to understand the significance of intently looking at the scripture, which is the perfect law according to God, and contemplating what is being read as well as interpreting how it is to be applied to our life each day. We do this through prayer as we read and listen for God to provide understanding and direction. We should also ponder on the Word throughout the entire day.  With God’s Word in our hearts and minds as we go through our day, it will help us when we find ourselves in sticky situations or moments of temptations.

In your journal today write your normal procedure for reading God’s Word. Evaluate that procedure. Do you spend enough time pondering on the Word? Do you pray and ask God to help you to understand how that Word applies to you today? Do you sit still long enough to hear from God as to how you are to apply the Word? Do you ponder on that Word all day, and use it when it is necessary? Do you ever find yourself lacking spiritually in your daily events?

Now, write a prayer asking God to help you develop a better devotion time with Him that will last throughout the whole day rather than just the few minutes you spend reading His Word.

Thursday: Focus on James 1:26 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.” Today our focus is only one yet very strong passage. Today we focus on the tongue and the damage that it can do. Sometimes our tongue is the hardest obstacle we have to control. This passage tells us clearly that our religion is worthless if we cannot control our tongue. Sometimes we say things without thinking, and we don’t really intend to be harmful, yet others who hear those words become offended and even hurt as a result. If we apply this scripture, we will learn how to control our tongues regardless of the situations and how we feel about what is happening. In order to control our tongue, we must apply the procedure we discussed yesterday and allow God to be our guide all day each day.

Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment and later wished you had not said it? Maybe it wasn’t exactly what you said as much it was how you said it. After saying it, did you have peace and joy in your heart? Usually, we have guilty and uneasy feelings if we say malicious and hurtful words to others after the moment of anger or frustration passes. Today’s Word indicates the need to hold our tongue and walk away, rather than lashing out at someone in a bit of anger and rage. In reality, we are to demonstrate the spirit and presence of God and provide words of uplifting encouragement to others. Our words should draw people to the nature of God rather than tear someone down. One question you can ask yourself before you speak is this: “Will my words help this person to become closer in their relationship with God, or will my words be offensive and drive them further from God? If the second question seems to be the direction you believe will be the response in a given situation, then it is best to hold your tongue.

There are times when we must approach another person regarding negativity. However, the way we approach them and how we say the the words make a big difference in how we will affect that person. If we must deal with a negative situation with another person, we should saturate the situation and the words we use in prayer and ask God to intervene in that person’s heart and provide us with a clear direction of exactly when we should approach that person, what we should say to that person, and how we should say it. I promise, if we will seek God’s method and timing, He will provide a way to handle the situation and bring much better results than we can on our own. In fact, we tend to make the situation even worse when we speak from our own hearts and minds.

In your journal today write a prayer asking God to help you control your tongue. If you struggle with keeping your mouth shut in certain situations, express those feelings in your journal and ask God to give you the ability to restrain when you are tempted to retaliate. Keep in mind that the more you practice guarding your tongue, the better you will get at doing so.

Friday: Focus on James 1:26 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Yesterday, we noticed that a person who cannot control his tongue has a worthless religion. Today, we want to look at the kind of religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless. That is the kind of religion that dwells on looking after the needs of the orphans and widows when they are in distress as well as keeping ourselves from being polluted by the ways of the world. We will  break this into two parts and deal with part one today and part two tomorrow.

The first part deals with how we care for others. We should put the needs of others before our needs. This will require us to do away with our selfishness and think of others more highly than ourselves. This is NOT an easy task for us to do. It is hard to put aside our desires when others have a need. We are accustomed in our society to take care of self and look out for self first. That is not the way God instructs us to live. In fact, it is just the opposite. In your journal today make two lists: 1. Times you have put others first before your own selfish desires. 2. Times you have put yourself first and ignored the needs of others. Now, ask God to help you to grow stronger in the area of putting the needs of others above your selfish desires.

Saturday: Focus on James 1:26 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Yesterday, we focused on the first part of what God considers a pure and faultless religion. That was the act of putting the needs of others before our own selfish desires. Today, we will focus on the second part of the kind of religion that pleases God. The second part is keeping ourselves from becoming polluted with the ways of the world.

This is difficult sometimes to do because the ways of the world has such a significant impact on our lives. We get in the habit of comparing ourselves to others as opposed to comparing our actions to the person of Christ, and that causes us to develop a distorted way of seeing ourselves and our actions. We begin to see some things as okay and not that bad although God sees them as completely inappropriate behaviours for a child of His.

Another aspect we must consider when weighing out the options of behaviours is the impact our actions will have on others. Yes, there are times when things we do will not really harm us or our relationship with God, but if others see us involved in such activities, what kind of effect will it have on their view of a true Godly relationship? In other words, will our action draw others to a pure and strong desire to have a relationship with Christ, or will they see that our action is similar to that of the world and to think why should they bother to change and come to the Lord if the God’s actions are the same as the those of the world. Another question to ask ourselves when contemplating the appropriateness of an action is “Will this action be a definite and pure testimony and witness for God, or will it hinder God’s work of drawing a person to Him?” If the action will not be an effective witnessing tool, the idea of the action should be aborted.

In your journal today list some actions that you believe God is showing that are questionable from His perspective. Under the list answer this question: Do I spend time processing and comparing all my actions to the image of Christ and the perspective of God? If the answer is No, think of one particular action that God seems to be pressing upon your mind that He desires you to remove from your life. Write that action in your journal and begin praying for God to give you the ability to do just that. 

Remember, this is more about our witness and our representation of Christ to others than it is about our selfish desires.

Blessings to you!

#3 Devotion: Week of June 11-17

Pray and ask God to provide guidance during temptation.

Have you ever quoted I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”? Have you ever thoroughly processed the meaning of that scripture? Before you begin this week’s devotions answer that question in your journal: “What does this scripture mean to you?”

This week we are going to focus on the temptations we face and how we actually handle them and how we should handle them. We will delve into the proper perspective of the temptations we face and how we should view those temptations and why we have temptations.

Why am I struggling with these temptations?

Sunday: Read James 1:9-11 “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.”   Before we get into the aspects of our temptations and struggles with temptations, let’s take a day to focus on the magnitude of what God does for us and what He is to us if we allow Him and trust Him to that degree. As you ponder on the scriptures James 1:9-11, think about how you view yourself. Do you see your accomplishments based on your own abilities? The correct perspective should be that of the nature of humility and that we are only successful according to God’s abilities and His designs in our daily lives. If we go about our daily routines in our wisdom and strengths, we may find a bit of success, but it will fade away. We can only go so far on our own. We have got to humble ourselves before an almighty, all powerful, and Holy God. We have got to recognize that just as the sun rises and scorches with heat and withers the grass, our self-induced accomplishments will do the and eventually wither as the grass and the beauty of it all will perish as the beauty of a flower eventually perishes. The only way to ensure that our accomplishments and success remains steadfast and eternal is to ensure they are founded through the power and strength of God as he desires to bestow blessings upon us. We will only be as great as He desires and allows, and we will only rise to greatness as we acknowledge it is not us, but it is God who is working through us. Basically, we can do nothing of greatness unless we remove ourselves and allow God to completely infiltrate us and consume our thoughts, actions, and words.

In your journal today, reflect on your most recent accomplishments and discuss your thoughts on who had more control, you or God? Discuss in your journal accomplishments you have wanted but have not been able to achieve. Is it possible that God is withholding such accomplishments from you till you get your focus and heart in line with His thinking? Is He protecting you from something that will eventually be harmful to you?

Monday: Focus on James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Today let’s focus on why we face trials and temptations. Write this scripture passage in your journal. Now, let’s take this scripture apart a section at a time. Write your thoughts in your journal as you work through each section of the passage.

First, we see that the one, who remains steadfast under trial, will be blessed by God. What an awesome thought of being blessed by a loving Father and an all powerful God. The blessings He can bestow upon us are so much more amazing than we can fathom receiving on our own. Think about the blessings that you have received in the past following a time of standing firm in trials or against temptations. List those in your journal. It helps to see it written out. You may begin to realize you have way too many blessings to write them all down. That’s a good thing!

Next, focus on the last part of that verse, “for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” The crown we will receive is the Crown of Life for those who remain faithful to God regardless of the trials and temptations. Resisting temptations are never easy; if they were easy, they would not be temptations. If we can stand strong in our faith in Christ and remain true to Him in the midst of our temptation, God will honour and bless us with the special Crown of Life when we stand before Him in Heaven. Not only is it worth our while to resist temptations here on earth, but that action will be remembered when we enter our eternal home of Heaven in the end.

In your journal, write the temptation or temptations you are currently facing. Beside the temptation or the temptations you listed, write down the reasons why you fall prey to them. Consider the reasons why it is so hard for you to resist those temptations. Next, write down the reasons it would be more beneficial for you to walk away from those temptations. Ask God to give you the strength to resist your temptations and stand firm in your commitments to God. Remember, God is always faithful to those who are faithful to Him and truly love Him.

Tuesday: Focus on James 1:13  “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” This verse makes it clear that God cannot be tempted with evil, and he will not use evil to tempt any of us. I have heard others in the past say, God is tempting me to test my faith.” That simply is not true. This scripture clearly indicates that God has no part in tempting us. However, He does allow us to be tempted, and there is always a reason for the temptation being allowed. One reason it is allowed is to give us the opportunity to make decisions for ourselves, so that we are not being controlled by a dictator. The other reason is to strengthen and teach us something to make us stronger in our faith and relationship to God. It is for us to spend time with God to discern the exact specifics of the second reason. Although today’s thought will be short, it will be a powerful time of spiritual growth. Reflect on your journal from yesterday and the list of temptations you wrote. What is God trying to teach you by allowing this temptation to present itself to you? Keep in mind, God may not reveal the answer to this question to you at this very moment. Be patient and spend some quiet time listening to what God is doing within you. Also keep in mind that the revelation might come to you in pieces. As each peace comes, write it down in your journal.

Wednesday: Focus on James 1:14-16 “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Yesterday, we discovered that it is not God who tempts us although He allows it. If it is not God, then who tempts us? Verse 14 tells us temptation arises as we are lured and enticed by our own desires. Verse 15 tells us that if we do not stand strongly against those luring desires, we will fall prey to the sin, and when sin is fully grown, it brings forth death. This process of moving from desire to sin to death is very deep and intense; therefore, I encourage you to to spend serious time in prayer as you work through today’s devotion.

Let’s start today with how we are lured and enticed by our own desires. There are certain desires that are of great temptation for us. Because everyone is different, everyone will deal with different temptations. A weakness for one person will not necessarily be a weakness or temptation for someone else. Of course, it is Satan who desires to set us up to fall prey to temptation and get us off track with God. When we are not completely in tune with God, we are not effectively being used by God to reach others for His glory. Once the temptation through the form of our thoughts or seeing something presents itself to us, we then have a choice: give in to that temptation or walk away. If we give in, we give birth to sin in our life. Usually, we cannot just give in to it one time, we tend to ponder on it and eventually give in again and again. Eventually, this leads to constant practice of the temptation, which leads to separation from our fellowship with God. Notice, I did NOT say a loss of salvation, but I said fellowship. God cannot be in the presence of sin; therefore, He must remove Himself from fellowship with us while we are involved in the action of the sin that has lured us away from God. Remember, anything that is not of God is there to lure us away from Him. If lured away long enough, we lose touch with Him, and life becomes most miserable.

Take today and write in your journal your recollections of time when you have been separated from God due to continuous sin in your life. Were you happy and peaceful at the time? Chances are you were not. Is there something right now tugging on your mind trying to lure you away? If so, write it in your journal and begin praying and asking God to give you the strength and ability to say NO to the temptation and stay close to Him.

Thursday: Focus on James 1:16-17 “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God’s Word today cautions us not to allow ourselves to be deceived. He goes on to tell us that every perfect gift is from above, and it comes from the Father of lights. When we think of sin and Satan we think of darkness. Evil lurks in the darkness, and in the darkness there is no light. God does not even allow a hint of a dark shadow to intervene in His blessings and direction. What does this mean? It means that with God, there are not even grey areas. Too many people tinker in the grey areas (also known today as blurred lines). God deals in absolutes. He is in the light; in fact, He is the light. We cannot be in right relationship with God if we are tinkering in the grey areas of life. With God, it is either right or wrong, black or white, and good or evil—sin or not sin. There is no middle ground. We must guard ourselves constantly to remain in the light with God. We ultimately make a choice several times a day to stay close to God, or to venture away from Him. Every time we slightly venture away from Him, we push ourselves further and further away from Him.

In your journal today list some areas that you thought might not be so bad even though you know they are not exactly correct or right behaviors. As you write down those areas, think about each one individually. Pray over each one and come to agreement with God that it is either right or wrong. If you are struggling, ask God to give you His insight and remove your own ways of thinking about the issues. Remember that most of the temptations develop within our own minds. We must learn how to completely give control of our thoughts and ways of seeing and judging our actions over to God. In order for Him to have control over those areas of our life, we must be willing to give up that control. God will give us the ability to give up the control.

Friday: Focus on James 1:18 “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.” Today we will focus on the how God brought us to Him. He brought us to Him by the Word of Truth. Nowhere is it stated that He deals in half truths or partial truths. The scripture says, “by the Word of Truth.” Then it goes on to indicate that because we were called into relationship with Him by the Word of Truth, we are to be a kind first fruit of His. This means that as we grow we are to ripen and become the fruit he intended for us to be.  We are His fruit and should demonstrate the kind of fruit we are created to be.

When we bite into an apple, we know it will taste like an apple. A piece of fruit cannot disguise itself and lead us to think it is another  kind of fruit. In other words, a lemon cannot disguise itself as an apple. A lemon is yellow and sour. An apple is red and sweet. Even if a little tangy, the apple is nothing like a lemon. Too many people try to live a double life and disguise their actions, words, and characteristics based on the crowd with whom they are associating at the time. By doing that, a person is not presenting himself/herself according to the Word of Truth as a first fruit of God. Have you ever found yourself doing this? Have you ever been afraid to speak of or mention the name of God in certain situations? If so, you may have a bit of a struggle with presenting yourself as a first fruit of God.

In your journal write down the times that you have struggled in this area. Write down the places you are when this occurs and the people you are around. Are these places you frequently visit? Are these people with whom you frequently associate? Do you need to stop going to those places? Do you need to remove yourself from those people? This is between you and God. Trust His guidance as you focus on today’s devotion. This may be very difficult to do and deal with. Ask God to give you the strength and ability to know and do what He has called you to do so that you can be exactly the first fruit He has created you to be.

Saturday: Read James 1:9-18 “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.”   

For today’s devotion, reflect on the entire passage that we have covered this week. Allow God to stop you on the point or points He wants you to focus. Write those points in your journal and ask God to give you direction regarding those points. As you begin to unfold and process those points, write your thoughts in your journal. Consider what God is guiding you to do regarding the points He brought to your attention. Are you willing to take that step and follow God’s plan? Write in your journal why you are not ready if you are still struggling. Write in your journal exactly what you are going to do when you are completely ready to move forward in God’s direction regarding those points.

Blessings!

#2: Week of June 4-10

I do have faith, but I worry still!

Have you ever prayed for God’s wisdom or direction knowing that God has the power and ability to take care of the situation and provide you with the wisdom and guidance needed, but you hang on to the worries and fears? Have you ever had doubts that issues will not be resolved and all will be well in the end although you have prayed about it? If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, you are not alone, and it verifies you belong to the human race.  

This week we are going to focus on how we can ask God for wisdom, and how we can trust Him in complete faith to carry us and take care of the situations we face as well as giving us the wisdom in how to handle situations appropriately.  Each day we will dig a bit deeper into the scripture and our personal thoughts and figure out the why it may be difficult to let go of our struggles and how we can have complete faith without worries over even the most serious situations we are facing. I encourage you to continue in your journal your thoughts and what you gain from the scripture each day as you are processing and unfolding how to have complete trust and faith in God no matter what the circumstance.

Sunday: Read James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”  Considering the struggles you listed in your  journal last week or possibly new ones that are pressing on your mind as you begin this week, do you tend try to rationalize and take care of things for yourself? Are you an independent person who is accustomed to taking control of things and fixing situations? Have you thought of how much easier life would be if you ask for God’s wisdom in all situations? According to the scripture, God promises to provide the wisdom needed if we will only ask it of Him. Today begin your prayer time recording in your journal answers to these specific questions. The first step in asking for God’s help and wisdom begins with acknowledging that you need His help and you struggle with receiving and accepting His help. Also ask God to give you the ability to accept His wisdom because it may be in complete contrast with your idea of the correct or perfect solution. Keep in mind this week that God must conform our will to His will and it may be difficult and take a little more time and prayer for us to get completely in alignment with Him.

Monday: Focus on James 1:5-6a  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” If you thought yesterday’s devotion time was difficult, wait till you tackle today’s devotion. In fact, we will spend two days focusing on today’s thought. God promises to give wisdom generously to all who ask of it from Him. That is very encouraging. That means He wants us to have His wisdom and answers to life’s issues. Have you ever prayed and just could not get a clear direction from the Lord? Are you possibly there right now? Do you have complete faith? Although the correct answer is “Yes, I have faith.” Dig deeper into that question. Move beyond the surface into the deep meaning and the thoughts within your mind as you pray thinking you are praying in complete faith. Do you ever doubt that things will not work out in the issues at hand? What causes you doubt? Do you need to ask God to forgive you for that attitude and ask Him to remove it from you? In your journal today record your thoughts on those questions. Be honest. Remember this journal is between you and God. 

Tuesday: Focus on James 1:5-6a  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” Yesterday you dealt with the possibility of doubt you sometimes have when you ask God for wisdom and guidance in situations. You probably realized moments when doubts have arisen in your mind while or after praying over certain issues. Today, let’s focus a little deeper on the doubting. If you have prayed and given Him situations, and you have acknowledged that He has the power to take care of these situations, you should be okay. Correct? Consider this question before answering that question. Do you ever go back to situations for which you have prayed and begin worrying over them? Do you ever find yourself losing sleep, not eating or overeating, or becoming so stressed in your mind that you are struggling to function? If so, you are still doubting that God has the ability to take care of the situations. Any time you worry after giving it to Him, you are basically saying you do not have enough faith and trust in His abilities, and you are taking the control back from Him. Do you need to stop right here and record those thoughts in your journal and ask God to forgive you of this? Spend today acknowledging this concept and asking God to help you overcome this. Ask Him for the ability to completely trust Him in faith and release your worry and stress over situations. Remember, “God gives generously to all who ask in faith without doubting” (my version). He will even give you the wisdom in how to let go of your worrying!

Wednesday: Focus on James 1:6-7 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” Today, pray that God will give you the ability to be strong in your faith as opposed to the one who struggles with doubt and worry. The scripture says that person is “like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” God desires that we be strong and steadfast completely in our faith. Sometimes to strengthen our faith in this way, He allows us to experience events that will test our faith. Those are not fun times, but remember, He will give us exactly what we need to grow stronger in our faith. He sometimes has to weed out the garden within us. Reflect on times when you felt as though you were being tossed about like a wave in the ocean because of your lack of faith. Record those times in your journal and ask God to strengthen you in the current sea of distress and develop are strong anchor within you, so you will not be tossed back and forth from faith to doubt. You want to remain steadfast in your faith, and therefore, have no need to worry and fret knowing it all rests in God’s hands.

Thursday: Focus on James 1: 6-7 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” Go back over your journal from Wednesday. Did you acknowledge times of being like a wave in the ocean? Today think about what verse 7 says in regards to that kind of person. What does it say? “For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” Now, do you understand why your prayers may have gone unanswered in the past? According to this passage, we don’t even have the right to expect the Lord to take care of our situations. This is very serious to God. However, He does understand that we struggle in this area because of our human nature; however, we do not have to remain in that state of struggling. In your journal today, praise God for helping you to fully understand this concept. Also record any struggles in this area that you may still have and ask God to guide you through them and remove the struggle of worry and doubt. Also acknowledge that worry and doubt is a sin, and God cannot work in the midst of sin.

Friday: Focus on James 1: 6-7 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Today there is one more point to drive home regarding our faith and doubting issues. That point is how God sees us when we do that. He considers us to be double-minded and unstable. A double-minded person tends to agree with whomever he is talking at the moment. Sometimes he appears as a people pleaser, or one who is inconsistent with his beliefs. Today make sure that you have completely dealt with your issues so that you do not appear to God as double-minded and unstable. Ask God to reveal to you areas in which you are not aware of still being in this state. Then, record in your journal any and all areas that God brings to your mind.

Saturday: Today read James 1:5-8 and give God praise for the changes He has made this week and will continue to make in your life as you release your struggles and stressful situations to Him. Pray that He will enable you to daily check your heart and attitude and have the ability to relinquish all doubts and worries as they arise. Praise Him for the strengthened faith He is establishing within you. In your journal today list the praises of the work you see God doing in your life in these areas.

As always...I am praying for you....