First Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Devotional: James 1:5-8

Today’s passage: James 1:5-8

Helpful thoughts:

  • Christians are encouraged to ask for wisdom knowing that God may use a trial to work it out in their life!
  • Doubting, a lack of faith, makes difficulties ineffective.  Therefore, God will withhold a trial from a believer who asks if He knows they are not ready.
  • God gives good things (Like wisdom) to us generously!  He is not stingy toward us in things that are good.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why does the idea of asking for things, knowing that a trial may come as a result, sound so radical?  What does it take to think this asking is a good idea in the first place?
  2. What are the kinds of things this passage is referring to?  What “things” is God giving?  What kinds of “things” is this passage not talking about?
  3. In what ways does this passage reaffirm the kindness and goodness of God to His children?

Devotional: James 1:2-4

Today’s passage: James 1:2-4

Helpful thoughts:

  • For the Christian, trials and hardships produce something very good.  No trial is wasted.
  • When you know this to be true, there can be joy in the midst of difficulty.
  • Verse 4 carries the idea of submission.  A patient, submissive spirit to the Lord will allow the trial to have its full positive effect.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why do we hate difficulty/hardship so much?  What are we trying to avoid?  What kind of life do we want?
  2. Romans 8 promises that everything “will work together” to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ.  What are some things that we would rather have than to be like Jesus?  How does that tempt us to be angry with God when things aren’t going the way we want?
  3. How does the kindness of God in the midst of your trials give you a greater love and appreciation for Him and His grace?
  4. Think of a hardship you might be in or were in recently.  How did God use that to help you grow?  How did you change for the better?  Who could you share that with to bring glory to God?

Devotional: James 1:1

Today’s passage: James 1:1

Helpful thoughts:

  • The writer of this letter:
    • James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ…
    • …who now rightly considers himself a chosen slave (Greek-doulos) of Jesus Christ.
      • James affirms Christ’s deity in calling Him “Lord”.
      • His brother who once mocked Him (John 7:3-5), was now His chosen servant and pastor.
    • A leader in the Church of Jerusalem.
  • The recipients of this letter:
    • The people of God (i.e. Believers, Christians)
      • Speaking from the birthplace of the Church and the center of worship for the Jewish people, James uses the terms “twelve tribes”, and “dispersion” in a way that encourages the unity of Gentile and Jewish believers alike.

Questions to consider:

  1. Even though James was the Lord’s earthly brother, he doesn’t flaunt that in the opening of this letter?  Why not?  What was more significant in James’ eyes?  How might a lofty claim to have grown up in the same house as Jesus actually have hurt this opening?
  2. Is Jesus Christ your Lord?  If so, how are you growing in your service to our Lord and King?  If not, surrender to Him today!  Please repent and believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sin.
  3. What does it mean to belong to the people of God, to be a part of something bigger than any one of us?
  4. What was the result of the dispersion in Acts 8?  Why does God have you where you are in the world right now (As close or as far away from Jerusalem as you might be…)?  Who could you share the Gospel with today?

Devotional: Joshua 24:29-33

Today’s passage: Joshua 24:29-33

Helpful thoughts:

  • Joshua was born in Egypt a slave, and was buried in Israel in his own land.
  • There is some major foreshadowing in verse 31…
  • Joseph’s burial fulfilled the requested promise from Genesis 50:24-25.

Questions to consider:

  1. What do you think would be one of the biggest themes or applications from the book of Joshua as a whole?
  2. What does this passage look like it’s setting up for the future of Israel in the land?  How does it point forward to the book of Judges?
  3. How did a generation know the work of the Lord, and then the next generation didn’t?  Is there a difference between telling our next generation how to live (What’s right and wrong) and telling them “All that the Lord has done”?  Why are both important?  What Has God done that you could share with someone today?

Devotional: Joshua 24:14-28

Today’s passage: Joshua 24:14-28

Helpful thoughts:

  • God made Israel.  God freed Israel.  God put Israel on the map.  God gave Israel their land (Recap of verses 1-13).
    • Therefore, they were to fear Him and serve Him with sincerity and faithfulness.
  • Joshua called the nation to commit to serving God and God alone…and told them they couldn’t (Verse 19).
  • This was Joshua’s final act as leader of Israel before his death.

Questions to consider:

  1. What does Joshua’s command to “put away the foreign gods” tell us that Israel had already started doing?  Why was Joshua right to tell Israel to worship God alone while telling them that they were not capable?
  2. What are the differences between the gods of all these surrounding nations (Including Egypt) and the God of Israel?  What wrong thinking and wrong desires would have brought Israel to start worshiping fake gods that could never do anything?  And, if they believed in and worshiped these other fake gods, what was wrong with their view of the true God as well?
  3. Who have you chosen to serve?  What has God provided for your failures?  Who has won your victory?

Devotional: Joshua 24:1-13

Today’s passage: Joshua 24:1-13

Helpful thoughts:

  • God reminds Israel where they came from and why they are where they are.
    • Abraham and his family were pagans.
    • God took Abraham and led him, and gave to him, etc.
    • And, God brought all Israel out of Egypt, brought them into the land, defeated their enemies and gave them the land.

Questions to consider:

  1. Can you find all of the things that God did in this passage?
  2. If Israel were to look back at their history, should they praise Abraham and Moses?  Who was responsible for their existence, for their survival, and for their present possession of the land?
  3. If we take personal credit for all the good stuff that happens in life and then blame God for all the bad stuff, what impact would that have?  Why is it foolish?  Who is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17)?  How would praising the Lord for all His blessings help you to worship and serve Him today?

Devotional: Joshua 23:1-16

Today’s passage: Joshua 23:1-16

Helpful thoughts:

  • In chapter 23, Joshua gives a post-conquest charge to the nation.
  • The nation is reminded of Who gave them victory.
  • The nation is reminded of Who they are to worship and how they are to live.

Questions to consider:

  1. Even though it has now been a “long time” after the tribes received their allotment, what is there still to do?  What have they not yet finished?
  2. How does this speech compare to that of Moses in Deuteronomy 30:11-20?  How were Moses and Joshua loving the nation of Israel by sharing these encouragements and warnings?
  3. What can happen if we minimize the importance of warnings from others who love us?

Devotional: Joshua 22:10-34

Today’s passage: Joshua 22:10-34

Helpful thoughts:

  • The sin at Peor (Vs. 17) consisted of Israelite men sleeping with unconverted Moabite and Midianite women and subsequently worshiping their gods (Numbers 25).
    • This sin resulted in a plague.
    • Phinehas is involved in both confrontations.
    • All of Israel suffered due to the sins of these men at Peor, and all Israel suffered due to the sin of Achan.  Now all Israel was fearful of history repeating itself.
  • Much to everyone’s relief, the altar was built to remind future generations that all Israel should worship “The Mighty One, God, The LORD!” according to His Law.
  • If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. – Proverbs 18:13

Questions to consider:

  1. Why did it seem like a good idea for the tribes east of the Jordan River to build this altar?  What were they concerned about?
  2. Why is it so much better to ask questions sincerely before making assumptions and accusations?
  3. That being said, how important is it for us as a church to fight for each other’s walk with the Lord and our fight against sin?  How should we encourage one another?

Devotional: Joshua 22:1-9

Today’s passage: Joshua 22:1-9

Helpful thoughts:

  • Since what was required of them was completed, the fighting men of the tribes that would settle east of the Jordan River are being released to head to their new homes. (For further information, see Numbers 32)
  • There is a repeated emphasis of Moses and Joshua being servants of the Lord and the Lord fulfilling His promises.
  • After thanking these tribes for their obedience and service, Joshua reminds them to faithfully love and obey the Lord as they go back to the east, away from the rest of Israel.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why would it be fitting that Joshua bid farewell to these tribe by reminding them of the Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)?
  2. What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and might?