Bible Study & Devotional 321
Guiding Scripture: James 1:4 ‘Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’
🔴 Community Encouragement
written by: Torrie Slaughter
Today we begin the epistle written by James, the half-brother of Christ Jesus. James inspires the Israelites through poems and proverbs and urges the community to seek God’s wisdom in this brief but powerful letter.
James greets the church community by letting them know that he is a willing servant of Christ Jesus. As a slave or servant, James desires God to be glorified through his work. That is something you and I can remember- let our work be unto the Lord.
The way James encouraged the community was my “God-shot” for these verses. If you’ve ever watched the underdog of a movie triumph at the end, that is what I felt. “Count it all joy when you face trials of various kinds!” (James 1:2) To think that we share in the suffering of Christ and can rejoice seems counterintuitive. But we can claim victory if we are willing to persevere and take our thoughts captive!
Prayer: Psalm 116:5 ‘How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!’ Amen
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Ezekiel 35:1-36:38, James 1:1-18, Psalm 116:1-19, Proverbs 27:23-27
This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional. Want to hear more? Tune in on Mondays and listen to Our Given Purpose the Podcast and on Fridays to Talking on Purpose with Torrie the Podcast & Internet Show. Torrie also hosts a YouTube channel of the same name.
Amen. I choose joy!
Yes Indeed!!!