November 22, 2017.  James 1-5.

 

The book of James is an incredible example of how jam-packed the Bible is.  

Listening and Doing:

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)

Wisdom:

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

Patience and Suffering:

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:7-8)

Do you have a favorite book?  Have you read it more than once?  Did you get something new out of it each time?  Now if that can happen with an ordinary book, how much more so with the Word of God.

The Word of God is living and personal. You and a friend could both be reading the book of James and come away with completely different lessons.  That is because the whole Bible is written TO you but it is not always written FOR you.  Maybe you have reread a passage for the hundredth time and a verse hits you and you think, “How have I never noticed this before?!”  You might not have needed to hear it before, but with the prompting of the Holy Spirit your eyes were opened to it in that moment.

That is why it is is so important to be in the word regularly.  Try reading the book of James twice today.  Maybe once in the morning and once in the evening.  Or if you happen to be reading this devotion in the evening, sleep on it and reread the passage in the morning.  Take note of what speaks to you.  Did it change?  Does that mean the Bible changed?  Or is it just proof of a living God, always on the move, and in constant relationship with His children?