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Christian Devotional – September 26, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:13–When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. TRUTH: This is important to remember as we are facing temptations that seek to pull us away from God. God is not the author of the temptations. He is not trying to make us slip up and fall. God does occasionally allow us to be tested so we have an opportunity to learn and grow, but as we will see in tomorrow’s verse, those temptations often come as a result of our own selfish desires. Today, when we face temptations, we can…
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Christian Devotional – September 25, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:12–Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. TRUTH: We are going to go through trials; this verse all but promises us that. However, the importance is not to push our way through the trial or try to muscle our way in the circumstances. We are to stand. We are to simply stand up under the weight of the difficulties so that we can experience the blessings of the Lord. As we stand firm, we will receive the crown of life…
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Christian Devotional – September 24, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:11–For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plan; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. TRUTH: Why should the rich take pride in their position as children of God and not in their riches? The answer is right here in this verse. Riches are here one moment and gone the next! Just as investment brokers for Wall Street and they can tell you how the make and then lose money in an instant, circumstances happen and change in an instant that results in a quick…
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Christian Devotional – September 23, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:10–But the rich should take pride in their humiliation–since they will pass away like a wild flower. TRUTH: Yesterday I shared about how the poor should take pride in being a Child of God. Today, in contrast, the rich should take pride, not in their riches, but in the fact that they realize what is important in life. The rich who are believers in Christ recognize that their riches are simply a tool that God has allowed them to have to bless others. Their money will pass away and is not eternal. They are to take pride in the fact that they’ve not become…
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Christian Devotional – September 22, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:9–Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. TRUTH: In this verse, humble circumstances is referring to a lack of material possessions. As believers, we need to be much less concerned about the quantity of our material possessions here on earth and much more concerned about our relationship with the Creator of the Universe. We are a child of the King and as such, we have a very high position, regardless of the physical things that we have on this earth. We must come to the place where we recognize our value and measure of success is based on our…
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Christian Devotional – September 21, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:8–Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. TRUTH: Yesterday’s devotion (here) discussed how someone becomes the person that this verse is talking about and states that he or she shouldn’t expect to receive anything from God. This verse concludes this paragraph and goes on to indicate that the person not only shouldn’t expect to receive anything from God, but that they also shouldn’t expect to receive much from man either. The person who needs wisdom, asks God, and doesn’t expect God to answer is characterized here as someone who is double-minded and unstable. Not only will they not receive anything…
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Christian Devotional – September 20, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:7–That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. TRUTH: Who is “that person”? According to the verses before this one, “that person” is one who lacks wisdom, asks God, and yet doubts that God will provide. Unfortunately, “that person” has a need that can only be met by God, but when they ask, they don’t really expect to receive anything from God. We often do the exact same thing. We know that God has the answer to the situations that we face, we come to Him and ask Him to help and intervene, but we doubt that He really cares or…
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Christian Devotional – September 19, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:6–But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. TRUTH: When we come to God in prayer and ask Him to give us guidance and wisdom in situations, do we actually believe that He will do it? Do we wait to act until we receive His wisdom and direction in a situation. If we don’t then we are doubting that God will work and move in us. We’re doubting that God will answer our prayers. When we doubt, we aren’t grounded in the truth of…
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Christian Devotional – September 18, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:5–If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. TRUTH: For me, it’s not so much “if” I lack wisdom, it more “when” I lack wisdom. Yet, God knows and understands that I am going to feel overwhelmed and not know what to do in many circumstances throughout my day. He will generously give to all who ask of Him, so as I experience moments when I don’t know what to do, I have confidence that I can come to the Father and ask Him and not only…
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Christian Devotional – September 17, 2015
Read James chapter 1 VERSE: James 1:4–Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. TRUTH: You’ve met those people that just seem immature, right? This verse indicates that people’s ability to persevere through difficult times is a direct reflection of their maturity. People who have not been able to be consistent and persevere through hard times do not have the maturity that can be found in those who have been able to hang in there during the tough times. Going through difficulty changes people and helps to shape them into the people that have the correct perspective on life and on God.…