Daily Nuggets (Book of James)
Recap of the Daily Nuggets:
Daily Nugget #1:
The book of James is actually a letter, written between AD 44 and 49 and may have been the first New Testament (NT) book written. The letter states in v. 1: V. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings” Which James was this? Of the 4 individuals named James mentioned in the NT, scholars believe this letter was penned by James, the oldest half-brother of Jesus (c.f. Mark 6:3).
James would have witnessed Jesus growing up, working together in the carpentry shop with their father Joseph and eating at the same table with their (step)mother Mary. You’d think Jesus’ brothers would be the first to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah. But Mark 3:21 and John 7:2-5 tell us that James (and the rest of the siblings) thought Jesus was out of his mind. Knowing Jesus wasn’t enough.
What made James later declare himself a “servant of the Lord Jesus Christ”? 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 tell us that after Jesus resurrected He appeared to many people and specifically mentions James. Seeing the resurrected Jesus converted James from a detractor to a believer. In fact, James becomes the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9).
What does it take for you to believe? To go from being a skeptic to a witness? From a bystander to a leader? Knowing Jesus isn’t enough (His stories, His words). We need faith to believe in Him (to actually accept His stories and words as truth and live by them). We need an encounter with the living God. Pray and ask God today to reveal Himself to you so that you too can be a servant of the Lord. More on faith tomorrow.
Daily Nugget #2:
James 1:2-8 (NIV) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.6 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. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
During the holidays we visited a glass blowers’ workshop in Red Hill and saw the artisan put the glass in a furnace 2300 Celsius hot – over and over again, for almost an hour, to complete the piece. It’s painful to become mature. It’s difficult to endure.
The audience of James’ letter were new Christians facing persecution throughout the Roman Empire. Their faith was tested every day. James encouraged them to stay the course, believing that the process was worth the pain, that perseverance would produce character, so that we can become worthy vessels in the hands of the Master Creator.
“Consider it pure joy” when you face trials – the Greek word for “consider” also means to rule. It’s not fun to go through challenges, but we can choose our response to them so that we’re deciding the ultimate outcome rather than letting the circumstances shape us.
What trials are you facing right now? Ask God for strength, wisdom and courage to re-consider them as refining fire, an opportunity to be moulded into His image.
James 1:12 “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.”
Daily Nugget #3:
James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
We are tempted by what we are drawn to – for example, I’ve never been tempted to smoke because that’s not something I’ve been exposed/addicted/drawn to. However, I’m very tempted to binge watch/read, because I’m drawn to stories.
But desire alone is not sin. Our human natures are always wanting something that isn’t good for us. We sin when we let that desire linger and grow in our hearts and minds until it leads to action/decision to disregard the Holy Spirit’s voice trying to keep us on the right path. So how do we stop our desires from taking control of us?
Every sin begins with a lie. Ask God in prayer today, what lies do I believe? (For example, the lie that “just a little bit won’t hurt” or “I can’t stop whether I want” or “this will make me happy”). Then ask, what is the truth? May you choose to believe the truth today, that God can help you overcome your temptation.
Daily Nuggets #4:
James 1-16-18 “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
Yesterday I said every sin begins with a lie. One of the enemy’s favourite strategies is to make us think God is holding out on us. Satan tempted Eve by making her think God was keeping her from good food and the ability to become like God (c.f. Genesis 3:1,5,6). But the truth was, God had already created them in His image (Gen 1:27) to be like Him and had already given them abundant trees “that were pleasing to the eye and good for food” (Genesis 2:9).
“God’s gifts are always better than Satan’s bargains. Satan never gives any gifts, because you end up paying for them dearly” (Warren Wiersbe).
Next time you’re tempted, think about the goodness of God. When Joseph was tempted by his master’s wife to sleep with her, he answered, my master has been so good to me, how can I wrong him and sin against God? (c.f. Genesis 39:7)
The word of truth reminds us of the goodness of God and gives birth within us a new nature (v. 18) – the nature of Christ – that gives us victory over sin.
What good gifts has God given you? The pandemic has taken a lot away from us, and the future feels still uncertain, but God does not change. He is a sure constant and He delights to give us good gifts, especially the word of truth. Let’s thank God for His gifts today.
Daily Nugget #5
James 1:19-21 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
What a different world we’d have if we listened more and spoke less! I definitely struggle with this, especially with my children. I’m quick to jump to conclusions and get upset with them, rather than listening to what’s on their hearts and minds and seeing things from their perspective.
How can we be better listeners who are “slow to become angry”? James invites us to “humbly accept the word planted in you.” The Word of God is the seed that the Spirit has planted in our hearts. Are we willing to let God weed out the bitterness and anger in our hearts?
Take some time today to confess our impatience, pride, and hypocrisy to God and humbly accept His amazing grace. The next time you’re about to say something you might regret, think about this passage and seek to listen first.
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” by Sebastian Temple (1928-1997), adapted from a prayer published in France in 1912:
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life
Few versions of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4BVqj_V4gM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agPnMxp5Occ
Daily Nugget #6
James 1:26,27 “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Our Christian witness is greatly hindered by our thoughtless words, whether in person or on social media. How many times have we cringed at something a Christian (maybe us) has said?
On the other hand, when we care for the vulnerable people in our community, we show the world that Christianity is good. Although Christianity is about our faith in Christ and His sacrifice, our love for “the least of these” (c.f. Matthew 25:31-46) matters. When we’ve truly understood and accepted the grace of God, how we treat others changes (c.f. Matt 18:21-35) as well as our allegiance to the patterns of the world.
True Christianity is not cerebral or theoretical; it’s practical. It’s merciful. It’s transformative. It blesses not only the followers but the communities around the believers, just as salt permeates the whole dish and makes it good. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the Earth… You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13,14,16).
Is your light shining? How can we be a blessing in your community? Let’s ask God to show us how to be better representatives of our Father in heaven this week.
Daily Nugget #7
James 1:22-25 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
God’s laws give freedom. What?! Don’t rules restrict us? Remember Day 3 & 4? We’ve been deceived with the lie that God’s law is limiting. But the truth is, God’s principles free us to live the way we were truly meant to live – with hope, love and faith.
For example, if we obey the law of “Do not lie” we don’t have to live in the crippling fear of getting caught in our lies – or the consequences when we are eventually found out. If we obey the law of the Sabbath, we experience the freedom of rest found only in God, peace that comes from trusting in Him. Fences aren’t for keeping in, they’re for keeping out. They protect us from the heartache of sin and the death it ultimately brings.
So James encourages us to look “intently” into the law to truly understand the purpose of God’s principles and instructions – and to understand the lawgiver’s heart and character. As we do, we realise that the law is indeed perfect and this wisdom gives us the motivation to obey willingly.
Merely listening isn’t enough. We must examine for ourselves and follow through on our convictions.
May you experience the freedom of following God today.
Daily Nugget #8
James 2:1-7 “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?”
Let’s be honest; we judge people by their looks. We’ve been conditioned to have different bias (you can take this test to see what implicit bias you may have, be ready to be surprised): https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html) and we don’t see people’s true conditions or characters due to generations of discriminatory practices.
But that’s why the Biblical worldview is so counter-cultural. God challenges us to see with new eyes. ~ 1025 BC God sent prophet Samuel to anoint a king from the family of Jesse. Samuel saw Eliab, the oldest, and thought, this must be the one. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Who are we overlooking? Who are we favouring? Let’s ask God to help us see with His eyes so that we can honour those who have been disfavoured too long.
Daily Nugget #9
James 2:8-13 “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.”
I like how James refers to God’s laws as the “royal” law – he recognises God as King and His principles as the laws of the Kingdom of heaven. This law gives freedom when we live it out (remember Nugget #7?) but also serves as the standard of judgement when we break them. But the law is not just an arbitrary or draconian set of rules. The law is based on God’s character of love:
Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Jesus wasn’t making up a new law – He was quoting an old one (Leviticus 19:18). But He lived out the law as no one had before – He loved humanity unto death and showed us what true fulfilment of the law look like.
“Love is the fulfilling of the law”(Romans 13:10). The lawyer who questioned Jesus wanted to do the least amount necessary for salvation and wanted a narrow definition of love (“And who is my neighbour?” Luke 10:29). But Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (c.f. Luke 10:25-27) and described a man who should have practised favouritism (Samaritans were enemies of the Jews) but instead showed incredible kindness. Two other men used the law as an excuse for not helping.
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Jesus asked. 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
For mercy triumphs over judgement.
Daily Nuget #10
James 2:14-17 “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Here James contrasts two kinds of faiths. Active faith which leads to salvation and passive faith which leads to hypocrisy.
True faith is not “believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence” (Warren Wiersbe). Faith is conviction which leads to action.
James echoes much of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:
Mathew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The disciple John also wrote, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18
Remember the parable of the good samaritan from yesterday? The two who didn’t help the victim probably considered themselves men of great faith. But neither of them demonstrated that faith through love and mercy.
James challenges us not to be satisfied with intellectual faith, a kind of mental agreement with God’s word but not submission to it. As the theologian John Calvin said, “It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone.”
May we choose to truly believe – and live by – His truth.
Daily Nuget #11
James 2:18,19″ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
Does it surprise you that demons have faith?
Yesterday we saw two kinds of faith (true faith vs. intellectual faith). Today we see a third kind of faith. A faith that intellectually agrees that there is a God but then also trembles in fear. Let’s call it, “emotional faith.” There is a visceral response but it doesn’t lead to repentance or conviction. The demons (or fallen angels) have interacted with God so believe He is the creator and sustainer but fail to connect to Him in trusting relationship. So they tremble in anticipation of judgment.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NIV
True faith is intellectually understanding the truth, emotionally responding to the truth., as well as willfully acting upon the truth. It’s whole surrender. It’s motivated by love, not fear.
What kind of faith have you experienced? What kind of faith do you desire today?
May our prayer be today : “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 NIV.
Daily nugget #12
James 2:21-24 “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”
This is a tough concept. Aren’t we saved by faith alone? YES. But what kind of faith? Not the intellectual faith we saw on Day 10 or the fearful faith from yesterday. We are saved by faith that trusts in God’s goodness despite the circumstances, even when we don’t fully understand God’s plan..
God asked Abraham to do something quite unthinkable – sacrifice his beloved son Isaac as an offering (Gen 22). Abraham would have been greatly disturbed by such an uncharacteristic and devastating command, but he still obeyed. He rose up early in the morning and loaded the donkey. He cut the wood for the offering. He travelled to the Mount God showed him – believing the whole time that God must have a bigger plan, because God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars and God keeps His promises.
You can tell he had such a belief because he says to the servants, “v. 5 Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” (v5). WE will come back, not just Abraham. Then Isaac noticed there was no lamb for the offering. v.8 “Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
With that faith Abraham laid Isaac on the altar and raised his hand to sacrifice his beloved child but the angel called out, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.” The test of faith was complete.
Nearby a ram was caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of his son. V. 14 “So Abraham called that place Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord Will Provide”. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
On that very same mountain nearly 2000 years later, the Lord did provide – Jesus was crucified near the very spot where that ram took Isaac’s place, symbolising how God sacrificed His Son in our place. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Faith believes it’s Jesus’ sacrifice that saves us. Faith trusts God has a bigger plan. Faith acts in obedience to God’s word, trusting that even though we can’t see it yet, God will provide.
What is God calling you to do right now that is difficult? Do you believe that God will provide? May you claim HIs promises today and walk forward in faith. 🙏
Daily nugget #13
James 2:25,26 “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Rahab was a prostitute living in the city of Jericho when the Isralietes were finally preparing to claim the promised land (Joshua 2). The people of Jericho had heard the stories – that 40 years ago, God had delivered them from Egypt through incredible miracles and that more recently, God had given them victory over the Amorites.
Rahab said to the spies, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you” (Joshua 2:9). Interesting. So everyone was afraid, because they believed God would give the Israelites victory. Yet where did that faith lead them? What did they do about that fearful faith?
Meanwhile, Rahab proactively hid the spies and asked them for a verbal contract and physical sign that they would protect her and her entire family. If you read Joshua 6, you find out the Israelites kept their promise and Rahab and her entire family were spared and adopted into the Israelite community (Joshua 6:25). What’s more, she is one of the ancestors of both King David and Jesus (Matthew 1:5) and made it into the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 (v31). All because she had true, living faith!
What are you afraid of right now? What can you do to move in faith instead of fear? Read Matthew 14:22-33 and Luke 5:1-11 for further study on faith vs. fear and obedience based on faith. May your faith come alive today as you take risks for Jesus.
Daily Nugget #14
James 3:3-12 “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark…. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
Have you tamed your tongue? Words have so much power – to hurt or to bless. But of course it’s not our tongue (although James does seem very upset with this anatomy) but really our hearts (v. 12), the source of words, that we need to mind. What’s in our hearts and minds? Is it bitterness or praise? Criticism or encouragement?
Proverbs 15:1 ”A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 10:19 “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
Try writing down everything you say for 10 minutes. An hour. A day. What kind of attitude do our collective words show? Try waiting 5-10 seconds before responding, taking that time to double check whether we really want to say what we’re about to say in the way we’re about to say them. It’s better to prevent than to repair.
Hawaiians have a process for forgiveness called ho’oponopono. It literally means “to make right to make right.” It involves saying 4 simple but powerful phrases: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”
On this Valentine’s Day, who can we say some or all of these words to? How can we use our tongues to inspire?
Daily Nugget #15
James 3:13-18 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Some individuals seem really clever because they’re successful and influential. But their wisdom is based on greed, envy, and ambition. True wisdom is pure, peace-loving, merciful, humble – echoes of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 (the Beatitudes).
From the beginning, the two kinds of wisdom have been at odds with each other. When Satan tempted Eve to eat the fruit, he lured her with the promise of wisdom (Genesis 3:6).
But “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (fear here means reverence and honour). Acknowledging that He is our Lord and Saviour and that He has our best interest at heart leads us to discernment, submission and obedience. The end result is a harvest of righteousness.
Doing what is right in our own eyes leads to moral failure and social disorder (cf Judges 21:25) – our vision is flawed and our wisdom is off-course. We need the wisdom from God, and all we have to do is ask (cf 2 Chronicles 1:7-11, James 1:5). The question is, do we want it?
Daily Nugget #16
James 4:1-3 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive,because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
Internal battles lead to external conflict. As Christians, we have two opposing laws battling in our hearts and minds – “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep doing … For in my inner being I delight in God’s law, but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me” (Romans 7:18b-23).
When sin wins the battle, it leads to discontent and discord. Selfish motives and desires lead to broken relationships, even within the church.
So how do we win this battle and escape the power of sin? “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24,25)
Jesus wins the battle for us: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1,2).
He sets us free from sin through His forgiveness and His sacrifice. We do not have to win the battle, because He won the battle. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:10,11
Through this grace and freedom we learn to battle with His Spirit, not our strength. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6
So when you feel the conflict within between good and evil today, ask God for His Spirit to give us the victory. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26. God is on your side, so don’t give up.
Daily Nugget #17
James 4:4-6 “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more but shows favor to the humble.”
What does it mean to be a friend of the world? Aren’t we called to be the light of the world (Matt 5:14)? Didn’t God so love the world “that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16,17)? And God commissioned us to fulfil His mission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
Again, James is echoing Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount about priorities. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matt 6:24)
There are certain ties to this world (social norms, values, and attitudes) that threaten our commitment to God. They spoil our spiritual appetite for the Word. They distract us from quiet time in prayer. They compromise our faith. “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).
Jesus understood this paradox of being “in the world” but not “of the world.” So He prayed for His followers, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world…23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:15-18, 23
We can be a blessing to the world without being corrupted by it through 1) Christ’s prayer for us – v15. 2) Letting God’s word be our compass and mirror – v17. 3) Christ in us through spiritual fellowship and community – v23; also Matt 18:20. See also Romans 12:2.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Mark 8:36. May our prayer today be like the hymn, “You may have all this world, give me Jesus.”
(A few versions of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZ8k9m2hwo; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoGPLEytN94; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcxUNzsdLT0
Daily Nugget #18
James 4:7-10 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Ok, so James is being a bit dramatic here. But he’s trying to make a point – he’s calling his hearers to repentance. He sees the followers of Jesus scattered throughout the Roman Empire indulging in sin but willfully ignorant of its effects on themselves and others. James is like the watchmen on the wall, sounding the alarm for an imminent threat (Ezekiel 33:1-10). Alarms are meant to be a bit obnoxious, so that we become uncomfortable and respond.
James is crying out that this is not the time for revelry but for revival.
In 539 BC, Balshazzar was throwing party in Babylon while the Medo-Persians sieged the city. He thought the walls were impenetrable and his kingdom insecure. “As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.” (Daniel 5:4-6). Laughter turned to mourning indeed.
Only Daniel could (and dared to) interpret the writing. He reminded the king how his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar needed to be humbled (Daniel 4) and explained, “But you did not honour the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways” (Daniel 5:23). The time of judgement had come.
Repentance means changing one’s mind, changing one’s direction. James urges those who are still serving two masters to choose God, to go from being double-minded to whole-hearted. Surrender to Him, and He will lift us up:
Psalm 30:1-5 “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depth and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. 4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Today’s song: Whole Heart (Hold Me Now): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6gZimmPgH4
Daily Nugget #19
James 4:11,12 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgement on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbour?
Imagine this scene – it’s Passover night, a special memorial of God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery and death. It’s also a sombre night for Jesus, who knows that in several hours He will be arrested and ultimately crucified, sacrificed as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The candles are lit, the food is prepared, and it is time for the servants to wash the guests’ feet as was customary. The pitcher, the basin, and towel are there, but the servants are nowhere to be found.
Each of the twelve disciples glances at the other, hinting that one of them should do it, but no one wants to debase himself with such a menial task. They were already tense with each other, because they had been arguing about who was the greatest and should sit next to Jesus at the table (c.f. Luke 22:24).
Minutes pass with this awkward and fraught atmosphere, when Jesus gets up, takes off his outer garment, wraps a towel around his waist, pours water into the basin and begins to wash and dry the disciples’ feet (John 13:3-5). You can hear a pin drop.
Afterwards, He says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:12-15. He then takes the bread, gives thanks and breaks it, and gives it to them saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).
We (the church) are His body (Romans 12:4,5; 1 Cor 12:27). We are broken, we are many, but we are called to humbly love and serve each other rather than slandering each other or arguing with one another.
At that Last Supper Jesus saw His disciples, still so divided after 3.5 years with Him, still so selfish and unforgiving, and He gave them this final teaching: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 13:34, 35.
Who have you been gossiping about? Who have you been nurturing bitter thoughts or feelings towards? Which brother or sister have you been judging? Let’s confess our pride to God and ask Him to teach us to love.
I really like the lyrics to this old song from 1965 by Glen Campbell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibbfExJBNC8)
Let me be a little kinder
Let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me
Let me praise a little more…
Let me be a little meeker
With the brother that is weaker
Let me think more of my neighbour
And a little less of me.
A song by Graham Kendrick :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icytvqn8h3o
Daily nugget #20
James 4:13-17 “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
How true it is that life is unpredictable! Last night Joshua tumbled down the stairs and broke his arm :*( we were in the emergency room until past midnight and no one slept well… the morning was spent cancelling plans & trying to get him comfortable. I totally forgot about daily nuggets until just now!
The global pandemic has also reminded us that life indeed is uncertain. Our best-laid plans have been upended numerous times. James reminds us not to take our life for granted but to live according to His will – to invest in eternal things that WILL last.
So what are the eternal things? What IS the will of God? How can we live in such a way that it is not all in vain?
God “ wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Our purpose is to know Jesus and to make Jesus known (Matthew 28:18-20). But what does that look like, on a personal, day-to-day scale?
Some thoughtful prayer and conversations are necessary to know what God’s personal will may be for you. But here’s a good article about finding direction in life: http://www.drurywriting.com/keith/Gods.will.htm.
My two cents: sometimes we’re afraid God’s will means only sacrifice and suffering. But remember, God loves us and wants the best for us: “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13. Some sacrifice and some suffering may be a part of the process – but the end result will always be worth it: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9).
“The will of God is a living relationship between God and the believer… You start with the thing you know you ought to do, and you do that. Then God opens the way for the next step” (Warren Wiersbe).
I pray that as we all try to navigate this chaotic & challenging world that we will find purpose, comfort, hope and joy in doing His will.
Let Jesus In by Matt & Josie Minikus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLuTNxxMg3M
Daily nugget #21
James 5:1-6 “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”
James is pretty upset here. He’s frustrated with those who use their wealth for selfish purposes by holding back wages (c.f. Jer 22:13, Deut 24:14,15) or in self-indulgence. This injustice irks God as well, who spoke repeatedly for His people to stop exploiting the vulnerable (c.f. Jeremiah 5:28, Malachi 3:4) and storing up riches for themselves (Luke 12:13-21).
Being wealthy is not a sin; God blessed Abraham, Job and Abigail with abundance. But these men and women shared with their communities, especially with the vulnerable. They gave with open hands, unlike their counterparts who hoarded for themselves (c.f. 1 Samuel 25:7-31). They understood that everything they had really belonged to God (c.f. Job 1:21).
One day a rich young ruler came to Jesus wanting to know what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus knew that he struggled to put God first, that desire for riches took priority in his life and heart. “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mark 10:21,22).
Jesus knows the struggle is real – our hearts desire security, stability and success. We like comfort and convenience. But at what cost?
“Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’… 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ‘Who then can be saved?’ 27 Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’ 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 ‘Truly I tell you, Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:25-31)
God knows the allure of riches – He warns, “Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). He reminds us, life is not about how much you have.
Isaiah 58 paints a beautiful picture of what true satisfaction looks like:
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Isaiah 58:10,11).
May we all choose what – or who – we’re living for today.
“Today” by Jadon Lavik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5NvZXhi5kg
Daily Nugget #22
James 5:5-8 “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 now starts wrapping up his letter by exhorting everyone to persevere in their faith and commitment to God.
Endurance is staying put when you feel like quitting. It’s doing everything you can but also waiting for God to act. It’s pushing through the darkness, believing in what you can’t see.
1 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
It’s the intangible things that last – our relationship with God, our love and care for each other, the decisions we make today about who we want to become tomorrow.
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
My prayer today is that beloved hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”:
“O Soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour, and life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of HIs glory and grace.
More about what it means to fix our eyes on Jesus tomorrow.
Some other great songs about perseverance by Jordan Smith: “Don’t give up Be still”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qlluz5mxx8 ; “Don’t quit”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoNwSeMD3Rc
Daily Nugget #23
James 5:10, 11 “Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
If you’ve read the story of Job, then your conclusion may not be that the Lord is merciful. Poor Job suffered incredible loss – all his children, all his wealth, even his health. He rightly complained, “God, why are you doing this to me?” He couldn’t see behind the curtain, that Satan was the one inflicting pain.
But although he couldn’t understand, he still declared in the midst of his lament: “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. 26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! 27 I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” (Job 19:25-27).
In the original Hebrew, Job says my Redeemer will stand upon the DUST (“afar”) at last. The same DUST (“afar”) that because of humanity’s sin, the serpent was cursed to eat and humanity to return to in death (c.f. Genesis 3:14,15,19).
Who was this Redeemer who would stand on that serpent’s head and break the cycle of dust to dust and ashes to ashes? More than 1500 years after Job’s vision of faith, Jesus declared, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” Isaiah 61:1,2 (read the FULL chapter, it’s powerful).
And He did just that – Jesus preached, healed, freed, comforted, sacrificed, died and resurrected. He stood on the DUST (“afar”) at last, conquering Satan and Death. And because our Redeemer lives, we too can endure whatever undeserved suffering we’re facing now, knowing He will one day make all things right.
Quoting another beloved hymn, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.”
Job’s story is just the beginning – we have seen “what the Lord finally brought about” (James 5:11) – Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, so that we can have eternal life – because “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11). Hallelujah.
A powerful song by Phil Wickham “Hymn of heaven”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqxtFUwM3-o
Daily Nugget #24
James 5:12 “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.”
Again, James echoes Jesus’ words on the Sermon on the Mount (c.f.Matt 5:33-37). What did Jesus and James have in mind when speaking against oaths?
It was common practice in their days for people to use oaths to back their statements – but they said things they didn’t mean. Something like, “I really was going to tell you, I swear! I swear by heaven that I was going to come over as soon as I could” (but really, they weren’t planning on it but didn’t want to look bad). People said things they didn’t mean in order to be liked/admired but were actually lying through their teeth.
Sound familiar?
Jesus and James are reminding followers of Jesus to have integrity. Mean what you say and say what you mean.
Can people trust our words? Do they know we will follow through? Are we putting on masks pretending we’re better than we are?
Trust is an integral part of our witness. If they can’t trust our words, how will they trust the Word we share? If we’re not being sincere and honest, how can they see our light?
Christian fellowship and growth require genuine relationships based on vulnerability, accountability, and trust. We have to stop pretending and start telling the truth – to ourselves and to each other.
“Truth be Told” by Matthew West: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OLGUW1VHLY
Daily Nugget #25
James 5:13 “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Are some prayers more effective than others? Will God heal everyone who is prayed over? These are tough questions. A surface reading of this passage has led some to believe that church elders or pastors have more spiritual “clout” than the lay person and that God listens to their prayers more. Or, it has led to thinking there is a special power in anointing oil.
But let’s examine what James is really saying. First, he introduces prayer and singing as powerful responses to suffering and joy. Then, he highlights the importance of spiritual community, where church leaders pray for the sick person and provide personal care. Finally, James encourages accountability and fellowship between believers, who pray for each other and seek reconciliation (if they have sinned against each other). At the core of all three types of prayer (personal prayer, intercessory prayer, and communal prayer) is God – “The Lord will raise them up (v.15).
Once in the town of Capernaum, four men made a hole in the roof of a house to get their paralytic friend to Jesus. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5). Jesus understood the paralytic’s desire and need for spiritual reassurance. He healed his heart and mind and then commanded, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home” (Mark 2:11). His words healed the man and inspired him to obey and walk out of that house, carrying his mat (Mark 2:12).
The man’s need, his friends’ working faith, were all essential – but it was Jesus who healed the person physically and spiritually. Jesus understood the link between mind and body. He saved the whole person.
We can help the sick and suffering by providing personal, physical and medical care. But we should also pray for them, believing that Jesus can raise that person up. It may not be in the way we expect – but ultimately, that person will be made whole: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
If you’re troubled today, physically or spiritually, pray and ask for prayer. Jesus can raise us up.
Chris Tomlin, “I Will Rise.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hyj1vNOdbk
Daily Nugget #26
James 5:17,18 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
The Greek says, “Elijah was a man with similar passions as us” – in other words, Elijah had feelings like us. He was affected by his circumstances, other people and inner voices like the rest of us. He even suffered depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts (c.f. 1 Kings 19:3-5).
God didn’t always answer Elijah’s prayers the way Elijah wanted (c.f. 1 Kings 18:42-45 it took 7 sessions of prayer and waiting before rain finally came). He didn’t reveal Himself the way Elijah expected: “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” (1 Kings 19:11,12).
But God always came through. Whether it was through ravens (1 Kings 17:6), a foreign widow (1 Kings 17:9), fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36-38), thunderstorms (1 Kings 18:45), freshly baked bread and water (1 Kings 19:6), a succession plan/hope (1 Kings 19:15-18) or escort to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 King 2:11), God provided for Elijah.
James reminds us, God answers our prayers, too. He provides for us as well. He shows up for us, perhaps in different ways than we expect, but He reveals Himself to us. It may be a gentle whisper, a song, a verse or through nature – but He speaks to us.
Civilla Martin was visiting an ill, bed-ridden friend in 1904. Although discouraged and sick, her friend quoted Matthew 10:29-31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Inspired by her faith, she penned the poem, “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” which Charles Gabriel then composed into a song :
“Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home when Jesus is my portion – a constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches over me.”
Talk to God today, believing that He cares for you.
My favourite rendition by civil rights singer Mahalia Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8awoMkd-BiE
Daily Nugget #27
James 54:19,20 “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
Five months ago 3-year-old “AJ” got lost in the bush and went missing in NSW. After 3 days, the search and rescue team finally found him drinking water from a creek. There was much rejoicing and relief.
James provides a picture of a believer straying or going off in the wrong direction but then being saved from death and a series of bad decisions by someone who brings them back around (the word “convert” literally means “to turn back”).
Has anyone been that lifesaver for you? Is there someone God may be prompting you to bring back from their spiritual drifting?
It can be intimidating to invite them back. What if they get upset with us? What if they don’t listen?
Often the person is well-aware of his or her sin and does not need it pointed out. Rather, they need consistent, compassionate and genuine care and concern shown to them.
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them, “Follow Me.” (Ministry of Healing, E.G. White).
Who is God bringing to your mind who needs prayer today? Who can you walk alongside in authentic community? What needs and burdens can you help carry? And what can you invite them to share with you?
Yesterday at Rosey’s commissioning I heard a beautiful song that’s perfect for today’s reflection:
Original song by Jayneen Orwa, “Won’t You Go?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2yC4vmZQs
I called you to go but in fear you said no
You didn’t think that you were ready to go
I begged you to speak but you said, I’m too weak
You forget that in me you are strong.
I want you to know that you’re ready to go
I set you apart right from the start
I need you to see that your strength comes from me
I have given you all that you need
Won’t you go? Go where I send
I send you to strangers
I send you to friends
Won’t you go? Go to the ends of the Earth
And bring my people home.
I called you to run but you said, I’m just one little drop
In an ocean, I can’t get much done
I begged you to lead but you did not believe in
The work that you could do in Me
I want you to know that you’re ready to go
I set you apart right from the start
I need you to see that your strength comes from me
I have given you all that you need
Won’t you go? Go where I send
I send you to strangers
I send you to friends
Won’t you go? Go to the ends of the Earth
And bring my people home.
I am the Lord who made heaven and earth
My heart aches for those who don’t know what they’re worth
Hear my commission, I choose to send you
If you are willing, I am calling You
To go to all nations to tell them of me
To rescue the helpless and set captives free
To carry the broken and bandage their wounds
To tell all my children that I’m coming soon.
Won’t you go? Go where I send
I send you to strangers
I send you to friends
Won’t you go? Go to the ends of the Earth
And bring my people home.
Daily Nugget #28
Can you believe it? We’ve finished reading through the Book of James.
What happened to James after he wrote this letter? He continued to share that Jesus was the Messiah and was martyred for his witness around AD 62.
But his impact was significant.
Although during Jesus’ lifetime James was not a disciple, after His resurrection James not only became a Christian but the leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem. It reminds me of Jesus’ teaching that the first will be the last and the last first (c.f. Matt 19:30). He was late in believing, but once he believed his faith was a pillar for the early Christian movement.
James never left Jerusalem. While Paul travelled over 16,000km across the Roman Empire sharing the Gospel and planting new churches to Gentiles, God called James to continue to share Jesus with the Jews in Jerusalem (c.f. Galatians 2:9).
When those Jews became scattered throughout the Roman Empire, James wrote this letter to them around AD 44-49 to explain true religion and true wisdom, as lived out in daily Christian life.
The Book of James repeats the concept of “wholeness” 7 times (3x in James 1:4, James 1:17, James 1:25, James 2:22, James 3:2). James exhorts all to whole-hearted living, a life of integrity in a world that is fractured and compromised.
James himself lived such a life – he was nicknamed “James the Just.”
We need such whole-hearted living today.
“Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God”. Ezekiel 11:19,20
Dear God, give us an undivided heart that isn’t distracted by the troubles or temptations of this world but is filled with desire for Your Spirit, Your Word, Your Will. Amen.
“Undivided” by Emu Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RntDPMzfn90
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14