Daily Devotional – April 17-22
April 17 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. I pray that you will take advantage of this series by fully engaging in the process of thinking and praying through the portions of Scripture that are offered and that you will find yourselves refreshed and renewed as you learn to linger in God’s presence. Here is the passage for the week:
James 1:2-4, 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.
Prayer: Father, this sounds so difficult to do. I’ve been through some really tough stuff that wasn’t joyful at all. Help me to go deeper and understand what you are asking of me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can choose joy in the midst of my trials. Amen.
April 18 – Meditating on God’s Word
James 1:2, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
In order to help us think and pray upon these words, we will use the pattern of the W.O.R.D. I will offer my example, but you will want to do this exercise for yourself.
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words. To write it, slows you down and puts the word into your hand, head, and heart.)
“For those in the faith, choose to think joyfully”
Observe what it is saying. (Try to answer as many of the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
James states that joy is a choice for believers. Unlike others, for those in the faith, we have reason to think differently and consider an alternative perspective.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
Joy is a decision I can choose to maintain in the midst of life and its circumstances.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Lord, by the help of Your Holy Spirit, I choose joy today. Amen.”
April 19 – Meditating on God’s Word
James 1:2, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Write out the Scripture.
“Whenever you face troubles of various kinds.”
Observe what it is saying.
The instruction to think joyfully applies, in particular, to times of trouble when we experience various kinds of difficulties. The experience may not be a happy one, but we have a choice of how we view it.
Relate it to your life.
This is master’s level discipleship. To choose an attitude of joy in our trouble goes against everything we feel and want to express in those situations. To have such a Christ-like mindset reveals our maturity level as followers of Jesus.
Do something.
“Father, this is difficult. I need help to think the joy of Jesus in the midst of my problems. Holy Spirit, I confess my negative thinking and ask to be filled with the right mind and outlook today. Amen.”
April 20 – Meditating on God’s Word
James 1:3, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Write out the Scripture.
“Because the testing of your faith produces a persevering spirit”
Observe what it is saying.
The reason for considering it all joy when we face troubles is that such a time of testing creates perseverance. Testing is necessary to determine where our trust is really located.
Relate it to your life.
I need to know that God is at work in my life through all things. When trouble comes, God uses it as a test to determine whether I will continue trusting Him or will easily give up.
Do something.
“Father, you are working in me in all things. May I understand that trouble and trials are necessary for developing a persevering spirit to faithfully stay on the journey with You. Amen.”
April 21 – Meditating on God’s Word
James 1:4, Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
Write out the Scripture.
“Let the persevering spirit finish the work that has been started so that you will grow up and be complete in the faith.”
Observe what it is saying.
Perseverance by nature is a process. It’s not a quick fix to our problems. It’s an ongoing journey of being faithful in our trials each and every day. This is the path of spiritual maturity. We won’t attain a complete faith package unless we successfully endure through the trials we experience.
Relate it to your life.
I must understand that choosing the right attitude in trials is not an option. It is part of God’s faith development plan for my life. As difficult as it is, I must surrender myself in total trust that God is at work within me through the troubles of life for my spiritual progress.
Do something.
“Jesus, I surrender myself to you and to your growth plan for my life so that I will grow up and become complete as the person You have created and redeemed me to be. Amen.”
April 22 – Meditating on God’s Word
James 1:4, Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Write out the Scripture.
“Not needing a thing.”
Observe what it is saying.
To not lack anything is to have everything we need. It is what Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” It is learning to be content in any and every situation with God’s presence and provision.
Relate it to your life.
Because I have the Spirit of Jesus, I have everything I could ever ask for.
Do something.
“Jesus, with Your Spirit, I have everything I need. You are with me. You provide what I need when I need it. Thank you for being so attentive to me and caring for me so dearly. Amen.”