Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – James 3:18

Posted on May 15, 2023

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. – James 3:18 (NIV)

James is such a practical book. I’m reading through it right now, and it really addresses so many practical life issues. Today’s verse talks about peacemakers. That’s something we often don’t think that much about. Being a peacemaker.

It’s so much easier to stir things up, isn’t it. When your friends are gossiping, it’s easy to add your thoughts on the topic. When someone is mad at someone else at school, it’s easy to chime in with something bad that person did to you also. Or maybe when someone is being bullied, it’s easier to look the other way an pretend that you don’t see it.

However, there’s power in being a peacemaker. It isn’t easy to choose the path of peace. It can be way more tough and feel like less fun than stirring things up. However, when we choose a path of peace, we are sowing good things for us and for our future.

The more we can sow peace, the better we will feel, but most importantly, the more like Christ we will become.

So today, if you haven’t been a peacemaker, decide to live your life differently. Choose instead to promote peace in your life and you’ll being to reap a good harvest!

Today’s Truth: Choose to practice making peace!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – James 3:16

Posted on May 12, 2023

Can you think of the last time you wished you were someone else? Maybe you wished you were someone famous. Or perhaps you wished that you had a different family, or the clothes, life or possessions of another. It’s so easy to find ourselves envying others.

Here’s the thing with envy. If we leave it unchecked it can lead to bad things. For example, envy left unchecked can lead you to sin in many different ways. You might sin by stealing something so that you feel like you’re not missing out on what they have. Whatever way it plays out, envy is not a good thing in our lives. Here’s what James has to say about envy.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. – James 3:16 (NIV)

James shows us that envy leads to bad things. So today, if you’ve allowed yourself to become envious of what others have, pause and think. Determine to make a change in your life. Set your heart on Jesus. Know that He will provide you with what you need, and trust in Him. As you do, you’ll begin to win the battle against envy in your heart.

Don’t let envy steal joy from you and lead you down a path you don’t want to go. Instead, fill your heart with the joy that Jesus brings. Let Him be everything you need today!

Today’s Truth: Let Jesus set you free from envy.

Envy

Daily Devotion and Bible Verse – Ephesians 1:3

Posted on May 11, 2023

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: – Ephesians 1:3

Have you ever taken some time to think about the fact that you’re blessed? You are blessed by God in a major way. It doesn’t matter what you see, or what you feel, the Bible tells you that you’re blessed, so you need to begin to believe it and see yourself that way.

Whenever you start to feel like you don’t have enough, or that you just aren’t enough, remember that you’re blessed in a big way. So start to see yourself having enough money, time, energy or whatever you need to do what God has put on your heart to do. Remind yourself that you are blessed!

Today’s Truth: You have enough money, time, and energy to do what God has called you to do!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – James 1:12

Posted on May 10, 2023

No one likes trials. They are just no fun. When things aren’t going well for you, it can be easy to think God doesn’t care. You might wonder what’s going on? And why are things turning out this way. Let’s take a look at what James has to say about this.

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. – James 1:12 (NIV)

One thing we can see from this verse is that none of us are immune to trials. They’re going to come to you. Perhaps you’re finding out that when you stand up for your Christian faith at school kids make fun of you and mock you. Maybe you are the only one in your friend group who is standing up to peer pressure and making godly choices. As a result, you feel all alone.

It’s difficult when we’re faced with trials that test our faith. Here’s the truth, however. When we face these things, and when we don’t give up or give in, we are blessed. Suffering for Jesus isn’t a popular topic, but there will be times when you will be called on to stand up for your faith. So what will you do? Will you stand up for God’s word and what’s right? Or will you go along with what the majority and the world says?

Challenge yourself to begin to stand up for Jesus. Don’t be afraid to do it, even if you’re all alone. It will all come out for good in the end, if you don’t give up or give in.

Today’s Truth: Stand Up For Jesus, Even When It’s Tough

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – James 1:6

Posted on May 9, 2023

I want you to think back to when you were a kid at Christmas. When it was Christmas, did you hold back at all asking for all the toys you wanted? I know I sure didn’t. I would find a catalog that was mailed to our house full of toys. I’d spend hours looking through the pages, and very carefully circling all the toys that I would like.

Then I’d be sure to tell my parents that I left the catalog full of ideas for them to get me for Christmas. I’d also be sure to give some great hints of toy ideas to my grandparents as well. Why? Because I knew they loved me. And because they loved me, they wanted to get me the things I wanted.

That’s a little like what James is talking about. Now, he’s not saying treat God like vending machine or some kind of automatic toy machine that will just pop out every request or desire you have. However, the Bible tells us that we can ask things according to God’s will.

And just like our grandparents and parents want to get us the things we desire, God does too. And if you ask according to His word, He hears you and goes to work.

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. – James 1:6 (NIV)

So today, ask God for what you need. In the context of this verse, James was talking about wisdom. So if you need wisdom at school or how to deal with a friend, don’t be afraid to ask. Know that God loves you and wants to help you. Ask in faith without doubting and know that He wants to help you out!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Colossians 1:27

Posted on May 8, 2023

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. – Col 1:27 (NLT)

Have you ever had a friend who told you a secret? Doesn’t it make you feel important when someone tells you a secret? It can be really exciting knowing another person’s secret. Today’s Bible verse tells us a secret, which is the fact that we’ve got Christ living inside us.

The fact that Christ lives in us, if we’ve accepted Jesus as our savior is life changing. That means if you need help, you can rely on Jesus on the inside of you. If you need encouragement to make it through the day, you can lean on Christ living on the inside of you. Knowing that you’ve got Christ living in you empowers you each day of your life..

Christ on the inside of you gives you confidence that you can do the things that God has called you to do. That knowledge can give you peace that you’re going to be okay. You’re equipped to handle anything that comes your way. So be encouraged today. There’s nothing that you can face that you’re not equipped to handle because you’ve got Jesus living on the inside of you.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – James 1:14

Posted on May 5, 2023

I’ve always struggled with anger. I don’t know why, but for some reason, my go to emotion when things don’t go my way is to get angry. For whatever reason, anger is where I struggle. On the other hand, I have no desire to steal or sin sexually. Isn’t it funny though how each person is different when it comes to their struggle with sin?

Maybe you’re like me, and anger is your hang up. But it could be that there’s another area where you struggle with sin. Here’s what James 1:14 says about sin.

but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. – James 1:14 (NIV)

Isn’t it interesting how James tells us that each person is tempted. No one is immune to it, and that should be somewhat encouraging. When we’re tempted, it doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with us. It just proves that we are human, living in a fallen world.

And when it comes to temptation, being tempted isn’t wrong. What’s wrong is when those desires entice you and you act on those desires.

As Christ followers we should be trying to be more like Him. And how did Jesus combat temptation? When He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He quoted scriptures back to the devil. So if there’s an area that you struggle with temptation, do what Jesus did. Find out what the Bible has to say about that area, and begin to speak God’s word over your life. Know that His word has power. It can help you overcome the temptation that you face.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – John 11:24

Posted on May 4, 2023

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. – John 11:25 (NLT)

Have you ever noticed when you’re really used to something sometimes you forget that it exists? For example, in my town right now, they are restoring a lot of our main street. There are buildings that I’ve driven past for years, but because of the new paint and windows, I’m starting to notice how interesting they are. I was so used to them, that I didn’t even really notice them all that much.

I think it’s easy to do the same thing with Jesus and our salvation. If you’ve been in church for a while it’s easy to miss the fact that Jesus is the resurrection and life. It’s easy to become so used to hearing these words that they don’t mean anything special to you.

Today, challenge yourself to not just let these be just words. Instead, really think about them. Let them become real to you. Think about the fact that Jesus is our way to God. We couldn’t come to God except through Him. Because of Jesus, we can fellowship with God in a new way.

Today’s Truth: Jesus is the resurrection and the life!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Ephesians 2:13

Posted on May 3, 2023

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. – Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)

There’s no need to feel on the outside any longer with God. Jesus paid a huge sacrifice so that you could be brought near to God. His blood was poured out for you and now your sin has been paid for forever. You have been brought near to God and all His blessings are now yours.

This is not something that you have to work at. You do not have to work to be close to God. It’s a done deal. If your in Jesus, you have been placed close to God. The only thing that seems to hold us back is that we do not know it and we do not believe it.

Today believe this truth. You have been brought near to God. God is in love with you and it’s all to do with Jesus’ blood. This truth will not change tomorrow. You can rest in God’s love brought to you by Jesus’ blood.

Today’s Truth: You Have Been Brought Near to God

 

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 2 Chronicles 26:5

Posted on May 2, 2023

I wanted to be a drummer for an amazing worship band. I dreamed of the day I’d go on tour, traveling the world, blessing people with my amazing drumming skills and worship music. In my mind, that was success. I thought that having crowds of people watching me drum, cheering me on would bring me the success and fulfillment my heart desired.

A few years later, my friends and I and the band we had formed broke up, and with it all my dreams of what success looked like they would never be fulfilled.

Maybe you’re like I was and feel that success is having a huge platform, with millions of people following you. That’s often how the world views success. That if you have lots of followers then you’re successful. God however, defines success in a different way.

Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the LORD, God gave him success. – 2 Chronicles 26:5 (NLT)

In this verse, we see that Uzziah found success when he sought guidance from God. As he made God a part of his life, he was successful.

Could it be, that the way many people in the world define success isn’t success to God? This verse makes it clear that being successful is more than just having a lot of followers or being famous. Rather, success is making room for God in your life.

When you face big decisions, where do you turn? Are you more concerned with what others will think and say about you? Or are you the most concerned about what God will say to you?

Today, challenge yourself to seek success on God’s terms. Find out what He would have you to do. Seek Him and His plan for your life, and as you do, you’ll be a success God’s way.

Today’s Truth: Seek Success God’s Way