Devotions (James) #3

MON, 11th May

James 3:1-12

Questions

1. Read all the examples of how influential the tongue is and note them down.
2. Are you in control of your tongue? What are some things that you may struggle to control? (Examples: gossip, slander, swearing, cutting words.)
3. Verse 10 says: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” How consistent is your speech with your faith?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray for your tongue. Pray that it would be controlled and used for God’s glory.
2. Pray against the evil that comes from your mouth. Pray that God would help you in those areas that you struggle.
3. Let us praise God. Using your tongue, utter prayers that honour God.
4. Pray for an opportunity to use your tongue today to build someone up.
5. Seeker Monday: take a moment to pray for an unbelieving friend or family member, for them to come to meet God.

TUE, 12th May

James 3:13-18

Questions

1. Where is the biblical balance between truth and love? Why is it wrong to compromise truth in an attempt to love?
2. Which of the seven qualities of godly wisdom do you need to work on? How?
3. Which of the traits of worldly “wisdom” do you gravitate toward? And how will you be able to guard against it?
4. How may you practically pursue peace this week?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray that you would grow in heavenly wisdom in your life, and that anything worldly would conversely be diminished.
2. Pray for opportunities to seek peace in your surroundings.

WED, 13th May

James 4:1-6

Questions

1. Can we desire God and the world? How does God feel about us wanting both?
2. Do you covet what other people have? What do you covet and why?
3. When was a time when you asked for a good thing but with the wrong motives?
4. According to this passage, how do we receive the grace of God?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray for true humility, and that we would gain God’s favour.
2. Pray that the choices we make this week would reflect the heart of God, instead of turning to the ways of the world.
3. Boldly ask God about things on your heart, but also seek for pure motives.

THU, 14th May

James 4:7-10

Questions

1. This passage informs us that the direction we walk will determine who comes into our lives. If we choose to come near to God, he’ll come near to you. And if you resist the devil, he will flee. So how do we come near to God?
2. How do you plan to do that today in your life? How are you going to draw nearer to God? How are you resisting the devil?
3. What does it mean to humble yourself before God?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray that today, your whole life would be submitted to God.
2. Pray for the strength to resist the devil.
3. Pray that you would draw near to God regardless of your situation and that God would come near to you.

FRI, 15th May

James 4:11-12

Questions

1. So who are you to judge your neighbour? To position yourself as judge, you automatically think of yourself as higher than the other. Who do you find doing this within our society?
2. Verse 12 states: “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” If this is the case, what does it mean when we feel that we have wronged someone or that someone has wronged us?
3. Slander is the action of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation. Have you ever slandered someone? Do you need to make amends?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Give thanks that God is our Lawgiver and Judge. He is the perfect Judge that sits on the throne with perfect justice.
2. Pray for forgiveness for the times you have slandered a brother or sister. Also, pray for opportunity to be able personally ask that person for forgiveness.
3. Let’s take time to pray for a nation on your heart. Pray that God would become the ultimate Ruler over that nation.
4. Mission Friday: on every Friday, we’d like to take time to pray for our mission partners. Today, let’s take some time to pray for Fresh Hope (Churches of Christ in NSW). Let’s pray for wisdom and leadership during this unusual season.

SAT, 16th May

James 4:13-17

Questions

1. What plans did you make for 2020 that you’ve had to change or delay because of the current situation in our world?
2. Do you hold life lightly? If you are a big planner, how would you make plans while keeping eternity in perspective?
3. In which areas of your life you need to learn to let go and trust God more?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray that God would help you to number your days, and help you keep an eternal perspective as you live today.
2. Pray that we would live for God’s will and his plans rather than our own.
3. Pray that we would be humble in approaching all of today’s activities, recognising that everything we’re able to do is because God has allowed it.

SUN, 17th May

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