James chapter 4 continues to just level me... This book is phenomenal. I need to read this book more than just once a year when I come around to it in the One Year Bible. Verse 7 is something surely each one of us should commit to memory: "Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you." This is so true. Resist. And he will flee! Please know this is true! Resist!
And verse 8 is so true as well: "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." Another one to put into memory - and practice each day. Have you drawn close to God this very day? And has God drawn close to you?
Verse 14 I think is so helpful for us to remember - and to give Thanks for each day we have: "How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone." Life is short. Every day is indeed a blessing and an opportunity to love and know God more. Please take advantage of each and every day God gives you. Diving into his Word each day through the One Year Bible is one amazing thing you can do every day. As is prayer of course!
Worship God: James 4:8 reminds me of Michael W. Smith's song "Draw Me Close:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." James 4:8 ESV
Prayer Point: Pray that you draw near to God each and every day. Pray in thanksgiving that He draws near to you!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
James chapter 2 today continues in the strong words about good deeds accompanying a living faith. James' arguments are summed up in verse 26: "Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds." Another very interesting verse in this chapter that always jumps out at me is verse 19 - "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!" I had someone once tell me that they believed in God - but that they realized that so do the demons. The difference of course is that the demons are not indwelled by the Holy Spirit, as are those who have faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Still, a bit of a scary verse to think about, no? Not necessarily for our own lives, perhaps, but maybe for others we know. Let us pray that we and others we know not only know God, but know Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit!
James 3 verses 9 and 10 are powerful reminders on the danger of what can come out of our mouths: "Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" How true is this... Reminds me of the old saying of being "two-faced". Or maybe having a forked-tongue? The key here to how we can control the tongue I believe is answered in verse 13 - "If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!" If we can focus on wisdom and what's going on inside our hearts and minds, we won't have to worry about what comes out of the mouth!
Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of the MercyMe song "On Our Way:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that your faith is fully alive. Pray that your saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior produces the fruit of loving deeds.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
James' verses today again are all so powerful... I am enjoying this book immensely. Chapter 1 Verse 27 is a great reminder to care for the poor amongst us - "Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us." Are you caring for those in their time of trouble? Are you refusing to let the world corrupt us? Do you care for orphans and widows?
James chapter 2 verse 17 is a famous one - "So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless." Or, paraphrased, faith without works is dead. It's important of course to remember that works alone do not save us - only faith does through the grace of God. But, works naturally come through that saving faith. They are a natural by-product and demonstrate that we have a true and living faith.
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Tauren Wells’ song "Until Grace:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you do not merely listen to the Word. Pray that you do what the Word says!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
~ James ~ Author: James Place: Uncertain Date: A.D. 45-49 Content: The book of James was written to Jewish Christians in order to provide them with some practical instructions in the Christian life. It contains many short proverbial sayings and reflects in a remarkable way the teachings of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount. The problems addressed show the kind of difficulties that were troubling the church. We read of pride, discrimination, greed, lust, hypocrisy, worldliness, and backbiting. James writes to correct these evils by showing that faith without works is dead; that is, mere profession of faith is not enough. True faith will issue forth in a good life as surely as a good tree bears good fruit and not thistles. Theme: James stresses the need for Christian living both to show the reality of one’s inner faith and to show the world that the Gospel does in fact change lives. If a person says he is a Christian but is no different than when he was an unbeliever, what benefit has there been either for him or for the needy world? But in fact the Gospel does change lives and if we will commit ourselves to Jesus, we will find that from our living faith will flow living deeds of love and kindness. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 31-32) A great overview of the book of James and the other “Non-Pauline Epistles” by J. Hampton Keathley is at this link. (scroll down just below his commentary on Hebrews to get to his commentary on James)
Today in James chapter 1 verses 2 – 4 we read: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Are you facing a trial of some kind in your life today? Do you see the wisdom in considering this trial pure joy? Do you think it is possible that this trial will develop perseverance in your life? Maturity? Completeness? Will you persevere in this trial? Will you persevere with pure joy?
I like verse 17 today - "Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows." Think about this for a bit - God is a God of no shadows. Pure light. Unchanging. No shadows. I like that thought of no shadows a lot... Of course, this means we can't hide out in God's shadows either! :) Praise God for his unchanging, un-shadowed & pure Light!
And verse 18 is an awesome closing to the James readings today - "In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession." Congratulations to you for diving into God's true Word today - the Bible! Please continue to accept the gift of God's true word by reading the Bible each day.... this will bless and change your life immensely. Do you realize that you are God's choice possession? Do you realize that you are a child of God?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the fantastic worship song "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble" by Delirious! Here's a great live version of this song:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today:"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray for joy in the Lord when trials come your way, knowing that the the trials - though they may test your faith - will produce perseverance in you.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
We wrap up the book of Hebrews today, and start James tomorrow! Hebrews chapter 13 verse 2 has always stood out to me - "Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" Powerful eh? When we show hospitality to strangers, we may be entertaining angels! Something to definitely keep in mind... Below is an engraving from the 16th century by Georg Pencz of Abraham entertaining angels from Genesis:
Verse 7 I think is a great reminder for each of us to rejoice in and show some appreciation for those that helped bring us to faith and to study the Bible - "Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do." Is there someone right now that this verse makes you think of? Can you send them a card or a quick email of encouragement to thank them for the impact they have had on your spiritual life?
Verse 8 is infamous and powerful and please memorize this one: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." This is an easy verse to memorize, no? Say it with me. Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Yep, I think you got it. :)
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of this great video below of the African Children's Choir singing "Walking in the Light!"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! Pray that you are walking in Jesus' Light today and forevermore!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
New Testament - Hebrews chapter 12 verse 14 starts out strong with: "Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord." I love this! If we seek to live in peace with everyone and live a clean and holy life people around us will see the Lord. This is very powerful to think about... You've probably heard this said before: "You may be the only Bible anyone ever reads". Or "you may be the only Jesus anyone ever meets." (not you being Jesus of course, but Christ within you shining through you!) Are you living in peace with everyone? Are you seeking to live a clean and holy life? Are others seeing the Lord in you? Are others reading the Bible through you?
Verse 28 stands out to me today: "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." This is an interesting phrasing - worship God with holy fear and awe. It reminds me a lot of a lyric in Chris Tomlin's single, "Indescribable." He sings - "humbly we fall to our knees and say, "you are amazing God!"" That one word "humbly" jumped out at me in this song. It seems to me that there should be some reverence, holy fear, awe, and humility as we worship God? And maybe not just take worship and our relationship for God lightly? But be thankful for the opportunity to worship God? Just some questions... Because then verse 29 tells us "For our God is a consuming fire." Which reminds me of a great Third Day song.... :)
Worship Video: Hebrews 12:29 of course reminded me of the fantastic Third Day song "Consuming Fire:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are living at peace with others. Pray that you are pursuing holiness in your life, through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and by His grace. Pray that others see the LORD through your pursuit of holiness and by God's grace.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
There are a lot of great teachings in today's readings! (and thus, get ready for a lengthy post here today... :) Are you ready to learn from Jesus today? And the Old Testament scrolls? Below is an image of Jesus teaching from the scrolls of the Old Testament in the Temple:
Hebrews chapter 11 verses today finish out this chapter on "faith" strongly! Please take a minute to re-read this entire chapter 11 if you can. It is an amazing chapter of our spiritual ancestor's faith. How does reading about our spiritual ancestor's faith speak into your life today? Are their areas of your life where you can better live with faith? Can you turn over your fears and anxieties to God, in faith? Knowing, in faith, God will ultimately provide and thus there is nothing to fear or worry about today?
Hebrews 11 verse 38 stands out to me today: "They were too good for this world." I think it is helpful to remember that this current world is not our ultimate eternal home. It is temporary. We're called to be saints and love others in this world. But, we should not become too attached to it or what it offers. God has a better home for us in mind at the end of our race - our journey through this life. This verse says that our spiritual ancestors were too good for this world - and hence, many of them suffered. But they suffered knowing it was temporary. Impermanent. I don't think that this verse should make us conceited or arrogant in any way - being "too good" for this world - but hopefully it helps us realize that this life is not necessarily going to be easy in this world if we are truly living in faith.... In fact, sometimes I wonder that if our life is really easy if we are really living our faith? I just hope we never get complacent and chill out and relax because "we are so saved".... There is a dying world out there that needs us! How are you truly living your life in faith these days?
Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1 is phenomenal to think about - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress." I think sometimes we think that we are doing this Christian walk / faith thing alone. We think we are in this alone - just us & God. I think this verse helps remind us that there is a huge crowd of witnesses that are in this with us. I like to think of this cloud of witnesses cheering us on in our walk! They are rooting for us! So - in light of knowing we have these saints rooting for us, doesn't it make sense that we should strip away sin that hinders our walk? Is there sin your life that is hindering your walk? Will you allow Jesus to strip it away so that the cloud of witnesses can continue to cheer you on toward the finish line? Below is an image of some of the "crowd of witnesses" to our life of faith - Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samson, and David:
How do we run this race toward the finish line well? I think verse 2 tells us how - "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." Are your eyes on Jesus? Constantly? Does your faith depend solely on Jesus? Is your faith as fresh today as when you first came to faith in Jesus?
Verse 3 is a powerful reflection of Jesus' passion.... "Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up." Think about what Jesus endured at the hands of the Roman guards. Think about Jesus' resolve. He was running the race toward the finish line. Can reflecting on Jesus' passion help us resist becoming weary and giving up? How often do you reflect on Jesus' passion?
Verses 5 & 6 quote Proverbs 3:11-12 and the following verses then go into explaining this wisdom of this Proverb - "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children." Do you believe this proverb to be true? Is the Lord perhaps disciplining you in some way today? Are you accepting or ignoring the discipline? Do you believe that the Lord disciplines those he loves? And that this "divine discipline" is ultimately good for you and everyone you come in contact with in your life?
Worship Video: Our Hebrews 12:5-6 readings today about discipline reminded me of Josh Turner's fantastic song "Long Black Train." This song is basically a country & western worship tune! :) "There is victory in the Lord! Don't go riding on that long black train!"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today:"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are running the race of life marked out for you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. Pray in thanksgiving for the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds you in your race!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Hebrews 11 verses 25 & 26 today tell us so much about the character and faith of Moses! "He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him." Do these verses speak to us today as well? Will we share in the oppression of God's people? Or do we enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin? Do we suffer for the sake of Jesus? Or would we prefer to chill out and hang out with our luxuries in life? Do we look ahead to the great reward that God promises? Will we pursue the character and faith of Moses in our own lives today?
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of the Third Day song "Your Love is Like a River:"
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today we read Hebrews Chapter 11, which is a great reflection of the faith of our spiritual ancestors in the Old Testament! Some call this chapter the "Hall of Faith" - as in the Hall of Fame. :) I would encourage you to read this chapter entirely today – and again tomorrow in its entirety. Chapter 11 opens with this critically important verse for us to memorize and take to heart: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Are you sure of what you hope for? Are you certain of what you do not see? As you read through this chapter, do you see the value in the faith of our spiritual ancestors? In what area of your life might God be calling you to step forward in faith?
Enoch in verse 5 is an intriguing example of faith coming from Genesis chapter 5's genealogy from Adam to Noah (see Genesis 5:24 at this link): "It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God." Below is a painting of Enoch being taken up to heaven by the Italian painter Sebastiano Ricci (1659-1734):
Verses 13 through 16 I think are four of the most amazing verses we've read in Hebrews and I think each of us should really meditate on what these verses might mean in our lives today: "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." What do you think of these verses? If these heroes of our faith died still believing what God promised them - even though they did not receive what was promised here on earth - do you think that perhaps you and I should always be faithful in our lives to God no matter what we may think we're not "receiving" here on earth? If we're not receiving perfect health. If we're not receiving a perfect job. If we're not receiving a perfect family. If we're not receiving a perfect mental state. If not, if not, if not.... will we still believe what God promised us? Will we still believe that God is not ashamed to be called our God? Will we still believe that God has prepared a heavenly city for us? Let us believe!
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Third Day's fantastic song "King of Glory"! Below is a live version of this song. Watch this to the 2:15 remaining mark to hear Mac Powell leading an awesome reflection/prayer on the power of Jesus' name. Who is this King of Glory!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are living by faith. Pray that you are sure of what you hope for. Pray that you are certain of what you do not see. Pray that you are living by faith in Christ alone!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Hebrews chapter 10 today is amazing! In verse 22 we read: "Let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." Great stuff! The last few words of this verse remind me of the blessing of Baptism - as an outward sign of our inner transformation and faith in Christ. Verse 24 is just pure joy & goodness: "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds." Outbursts of love & good deeds indeed! Who are you encouraging these days to outbursts of love and good deeds? Can you think of some ways to do this? And verse 25 reminds me of the importance of finding a church community to do life with together: "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." Do you meet together with others in a local church? Have you found a small group, community group, or prayer group that you can spend some quality time with outside of regular church services? A group where you can encourage, warn, and pray for each other? Verse 26 and the following verses are strong reminders of the one option we have for our faith - the one true God to follow: "Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins." Is there another sacrifice besides Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that will cover our sins?
Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of Third Day's song "Call My Name:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today:"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are spurring on others in your life toward love and good deeds each and every day. Pray that you meet together with Christ's body, the church, regularly. Pray that you are encouraging others and being encouraged as the Day of Christ's return is approaching!
Comments from you - What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
