Day 210/260: Read James 5

How difficult we find the practice of patience in the twenty-first century! We carry cell phones so we can always be reached, any time of day. We use high-speed internet so we can access information within seconds. We use the drive-thru at fast-food restaurants so we can get lunch in a matter of minutes, and many times eat while we drive so we don’t waste time once we reach our destination!

These examples are all about instant gratification, with very little waiting involved. But there is value in patience. There are some things that are worth waiting for, seeing through, sticking with.

James reminds his readers, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Are you ready for the Lord’s return? Hopefully we are, and we are faithfully looking for that day. But maybe we will appreciate it even more as we patiently endure the hardships of this life. Remember what James wrote in the first chapter of his epistle? “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3).

Be faithful. Be patient. Be ready.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

James 1:22. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Pray

Pray for strength and patience as you faithfully serve the Lord in this life, looking forward to His return.

Day 209/260: Read James 4

The son of David wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Among the contrasts in the verses following that statement, he says, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

We must be aware of our surroundings, of those things that are being promoted as good or bad, and look at the Scriptural basis for such things. When our governments begin to exalt sin as normal, Christians must take a stand. When our governments tear down the morality of God, Christians must take a stand.

I am reminded of the inspired words of the prophet, who wrote, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21).

When politicians, celebrities, talk show hosts, athletes, and other influencers contradict the Word of God, we must stand up and speak out. James says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

Are we currently in “a time to weep” or “a time to laugh”?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

James 1:22. But be ________________ of the word, and not ________________ only, deceiving yourselves.

Pray

Pray for those who do not respect God’s Word. Pray that someone might be able to reach them and soften their hearts toward the truth.

Day 208/260: Read James 3

Where is your focus? Why do you do what you do? Are you trying to thrive financially, and if so, to what end? One’s motivation is extremely important. James warns against “bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts.” If you are concerned with the amount of money in the bank because you want more, more, more, then your focus is in the wrong place.

We must seek the things of God with a view to “the wisdom that is from above,” for that wisdom “is first pure, the peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” It is different than the “earthly, sensual, demonic” wisdom to which man typically subscribes.

Our existence does not consist only of this life. Our souls will continue past the expiration date of our bodies. Thus, we must focus on things that will benefit our souls, and not just satisfy “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Why? Because “the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who doe the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

Where is your focus? “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

James 1:22. But be doers of the ________________, and not hearers only, ________________ yourselves.

Pray

Pray for spiritual success, turning to God’s wisdom revealed in the Scriptures for guidance.

Day 207/260: Read James 2

How do you react when someone wrongs you? Do you get angry and tell everyone you see how evil that person is? Seek revenge? Stew in bitterness? Are these Biblical ways to react?

James urges his readers, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Our aim on this earth should be to act like Jesus, to shine the light of Christianity so that others may seek God and glorify Him. If you are wronged, go to the person who has committed the offense and talk to them. Seek resolution and reconciliation. Rather than lambasting them for their thoughtlessness or evil deeds, try to bring them back to the right path so that they may join you on your journey to eternal life.

Remember, Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).

Let us be like Andrew, who told his brother Simon Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (John 2:41), and Philip, who told Nathanael, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph…Come and see” (John 2:45-46). Don’t push people away when they have wronged you, but seek to bring them to Christ.

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

James 1:22. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Pray

Pray for those who are in need of Jesus’ cleansing blood, and seek opportunities to bring them to the Lord.

Day 206/260: Read James 1

Throughout the Scriptures, we are warned of the dangers of riches. No, it is not a sin to be blessed with wealth; however, when we begin to rely upon wealth, or fail to recognize the source of wealth, then we can get ourselves into trouble.

James writes, “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”

Our focus should not be on the things of this life. Certainly, money is needed to take care of ourselves and our families; bills still need to be paid. But man must not trust in wealth, and must not neglect the fact that such blessings come from God (James 1:17).

Remember the words of Jesus Himself, who said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

If our focus is only on the things of this lifetime, what happens when we die? Study and learn from Jesus’ parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21. His words are eternally important.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

James 1:22. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Pray

Pray for a clearer focus on eternity, and an understanding about the temporal nature of worldly riches.