Old Union Church

THURSDAY: Worthless Religion James 1:26 James is not done with his assessment of authentic faith. He has the audacity to declare some of our practices worthless religion. He ties the validity of what we do religiously to how we use our speech. Most claimants to the Christian faith have no clue as to the connection. But James declares that the control exercised in what we say to others and how we say it, reveals the authenticity of our spiritual commitment. Words that demean and damage render our religious deeds and duties worthless before God. Genuine Christian faith is always more that doing religious stuff. It must be marked by speech that benefits and blesses others. (Ephesians 4:29) So curb and consecrate the things you say. You don’t want to stand before God and realize you practiced worthless religion.

WEDNESDAY: God Bless You James 1:25 People have said it to you. You have wished it for others. (And not just in response to a sneeze.) God bless you. In reality, we do not need divine blessing conferred upon us although we understand the kind gesture. We can choose to receive the blessing of God for ourselves. James has been emphasizing the necessity of reading and hearing God’s word, then doing what it says. He now underscores the result of such obedient living. God will bless you for doing it. It is God’s gracious promise to bless us when we obey. If you want to experience God’s blessing, you can. Don’t wait for someone to wish it for you. Receive the promise of divine blessing by your own decision. It is not complicated. Read God’s word. Remember God’s word. Respond obediently to God’s word. God bless you!

TUESDAY: A Look in the Mirror James 1:23-24 It is a powerful and practical word picture James uses to drive home the purpose of and appropriate response to the truth of scripture. All of us use a mirror almost daily. We apply make-up or shave. We trim, brush, and arrange our hair, among other cosmetic habits. We use the accurate reflection of a mirror to make the necessary adjustments to improve our appearance. It would be pointless to look in the mirror and do nothing. Jam...es likens such foolish use of our bathroom mirror to failure to do what scripture commands. To read God’s word or hear it taught and ignore its personal application is just as spiritually useless. Biblical commands are to be obeyed. Biblical principles are to be practiced. To fail to do so is to walk away from the mirror unchanged. Spend time looking in the mirror of God’s word. Then adjust your life to what it reveals. The difference will be spiritually noticeable. See more

MONDAY: Get Real James 1:22 James warns against our susceptibility to engaging in self-deception. We are quite adept at fooling ourselves. To know the truth, be able to speak of it, and have good intentions toward it are mere acts of spiritual gamesmanship if we do not obey. Obedience alone is the mark of authentic faith. Measure yourself in relation to God, not by what you know, say or intend, but by your genuinely obedient actions. In a culture focused on appearance and perception, followers of Jesus need to get real. Live your faith authentically as you obey the truth of God’s word at all times and in every way. Humble authenticity will help others find the real faith for which so many are searching.

FRIDAY: Spiritual Weeding James 1:21 I have done a fair amount of gardening in recent years although I make no claim to any level of expertise. One thing I do know is that vegetable plants do better when weeds are kept out of the garden. James would agree with that gardening principle when it comes to our spiritual life. For those who follow Jesus, the Gospel and its message and teachings have been planted by God in our hearts. It delivers us from the damage that sin can ca...use. We live in a culture where sin and immorality are prominently practiced just as in the time of James’ writing. Sinful societal weeds seek to encroach upon our lives and crowd out the fruit God’s word would produce. So, James commands to get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives. He means business. Do some serious spiritual weeding! Clean out any kind of sin before it takes full root and grows. Let God’s word root deeply and grow strong in you. It will fill your life and soul producing abundantly for Jesus and His Kingdom cause. See more

THURSDAY: Anger Management James 1:19-20 One of the most damaging impacts on Christian credibility is the anger of those who claim faith in Jesus. James starts with a simple command and then explains the essential truth behind it. Be slow to get angry. Control it, Manage it. Anger stalks us all in some way. We must recognize and check it at the moment it begins to smolder. James’ reason is powerful. "Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. Never. Want your faith and life to authentically represent Jesus? Start here. Manage your anger. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you control it every time it arises. Choose God’s righteous way over your anger and see how He transforms situations and relationships through your godly response.