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Devotional: James 1:12-15

Today’s passage: James 1:12-15

Helpful thoughts:

  • Blessing (Joy/Satisfaction) comes from persevering through trials.  There can be joy in the midst of, and further joy as a result of, trials.  God’s work is joy producing.
  • “The crown of life” could be translated as, the “crown which is (eternal) life.”
    • God has already promised this to His children, everyone who believes.
    • God is working in you to produce this steadfastness.
    • God is going to reward you for something that He did by His gracious will.
  • God tempts no one.  Hardships produce steadfastness in the Christian.  Sin is already there in the heart and being rooted out.
  • We do what we do because we want what we want.  When I sin, it’s my choice and my fault.
    • I can choose to sin.  I cannot choose my consequences.

Questions to consider:

  1. How good and kind is God?  How amazing is His grace?
  2. How desperately wicked would we be without Him?  Why is the world not worse than it already is?
  3. Why is the call to humility in the previous three verses to critical?  How would a high view of myself negate the massive amount of grace and love that God has shown us?  How does an accurate, low view of myself magnify the grace and love of God?  Which causes us to worship? Which truly gives us greater joy? How has the world’s philosophy on our view of “self” undercut the power and magnitude of the Gospel?

July 28, 2019 Category: Devotions, James

Devotional: James 1:9-11

Today’s passage: James 1:9-11

Helpful thoughts:

  • Another means to perseverance for the Christian is humility.
    • The poor may struggle with humility in complaining or bitterness.
      • But God has exalted them in Christ.  Their economic status has nothing to do with their eternal inheritance.
    • The rich may struggle with humility in lacking a sense of need and in pursuing more temporal wealth.
      • The rich are reminded that they too will fade.  In the end, the rich and the poor of this world meet the same end.
  • The whole comparison serves as an illustration within the context of the passage.
    • A rich man who is a believer could be humbled through the trial of losing his wealth.  If he lacks faith and doubts God’s good purposes, he will be unstable and tossed about in the trial.
    • If that rich man believes in God’s good purposes to mature him in the faith, producing steadfastness/perseverance, he will be able to count that trial “all joy” (Verse 2).

Questions to consider:

  1. God promises to conform us into the image of Christ (Philippians 1:6).  So is this passage about how to respond in order to grow?  Or, is this passage about how to enjoy the ride while God is growing you?
  2. Is this passage only applicable for the rich and poor?  What might be precious to you, like money might be precious to the rich, that could steal your eyes and heart away from the Lord?
  3. Why is your salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ the best gift and exaltation that God has given you?  Why is it so much better than anything this world has to offer?

July 27, 2019 Category: Devotions, James

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?

July 26, 2019 Category: Devotions, James

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?

July 25, 2019 Category: Devotions, James

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.
        • Luke wrote of this new “dispersion” in Acts (Acts 8:1, 4).
        • Peter wrote a very similar greeting (1 Peter 1:1).
        • Paul wrote about this new unity of Gentile and Jewish believers in several passages (e.g. Ephesians 2:11-22, Romans 9:24-26).

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?

July 24, 2019 Category: Devotions, James

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?

July 23, 2019 Category: Devotions, Joshua

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?

July 22, 2019 Category: Devotions, Joshua

Bread From Heaven

Bread From Heaven

John 6:16-34

Pastor Molyneux

 

July 22, 2019 Category: John, Sermons

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?

July 21, 2019 Category: Devotions, Joshua

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.
    • Their response is found in Judges 2:1-13.

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?

July 20, 2019 Category: Devotions, Joshua

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