Category: James

James 5:13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

I am reminded of both Romans 12:12 (Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.) and 1 Thess 5:16-18 (16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.) when I read today’s scripture.

James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

Prayer is powerful. Praying for others and with others is powerful. Prayer changes things….even if your heart and your attitude are the only things that are changed. And personally, I don’t think there is one right way to pray. I think God hears and understands a heart that earnestly seeks Him.

James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

Lord, Thank You for this reminder of the power of prayer. Thank You for listening when I pray earnestly to You, even when—especially when—my prayers are simply groans because I have no words. Thank You for the ability to praise You through prayer and for the power to pray with others in Your holy and precious name. Amen.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Have a blessed day.

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

I started these daily devo reflections as a Lenten observance many years ago as a way for me to draw near to God, sit with Him, read His word, seek His face, hear His voice. I poured myself into the reflections, being painfully honest about the messes and missteps in my life. I walked away feeling God’s hope and grace.

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

I started sharing my reflections because I thought that if others saw that I was struggling with the same ridiculous life messes that they did, maybe they wouldn’t feel so alone. Some days I walk away from a reflection thinking, “That one was just for me” because I got so much grace from my time with Him. Sometimes I think, “Alright, Lord. This is where you brought me today. Make sure the one who needs this sees it.”

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Lord, Thank You for our time together each morning. Thank You for the ability to humble myself before You and for the grace and comfort You give me. Help me never to forget that any good that comes from my words is for You, in You, and because of You. The glory always goes to You, Lord. Amen.

James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Have a blessed day.

James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

Many people adopt a word to carry them through the new year. I find it an interesting practice but have never done it myself. But the word that comes to mind as I read today’s scripture is encourage.

James 3:5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Words are incredibly powerful. They can build people up or tear them down. Today’s scripture illustrates why it is so important to use our words to encourage each other as we do this thing called life.

James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Lord, As I go through this new year, help me to use my words to praise You and to build up and encourage Your people. Life can be hard. Help me strive to use my words to bring encouragement in Your name. Amen.

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

Have a blessed day.

James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

Again there are lots of nuggets of wisdom in this chapter, but for me, the biggie is found in verse 13, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Maybe it’s because I know the sting of inaccurate judgment. (Don’t we all?) Maybe it’s because people are so quick to judge and often judge incorrectly or without accurate information.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

I think maybe that’s why I love that old billboard I’ve talked about many times before: “Just love everyone. I’ll sort them out later. ~God” By loving without judging, I am choosing mercy over judgment. That’s what I try to do for others and what I hope is done for me.

James 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom….

Lord, We are often quick to judge and slow to act. Forgive us. Help me to choose mercy over judgment always. Help me to love Your people and shine Your light. Help me forgive myself when I fall short of that goal. Amen.

James 2:13 …because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Have a blessed day.

James 1:2-3 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 is full of beautiful nuggets of wisdom, but verses 2-3 can be a bit hard to swallow. Count trials as joy? Rejoice in trials? No. That’s not what he’s saying. He’s saying that we can rejoice in the perseverance that we develop as a result of enduring trials.

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.

Verse 12 tells us that persevering under trails allows us to receive the crown of life from God. Developing perseverance through enduring trials allows us to live more fully, more abundantly in Christ.

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.

Lord, I don’t like trials. They are awkward and uncomfortable and painful. But I love You. I trust You. I want to live more fully and abundantly through You. Help me, Lord. Amen.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Have a blessed day.