Nov 10: Matthew 4, Jeremiah 19, Psalm 89
Nov 11: Matthew 5, Jeremiah 20, Psalm 90
Nov 12: Matthew 6, Jeremiah 21, Psalm 91
Nov 13: Matthew 7, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 92
Nov 14: Matthew 8, Jeremiah 23, Psalm 93
Nov 15: Matthew 9, Jeremiah 24, Psalm 94
James_3
SCRIPTURE
3 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.
OBSERVATION
James 2 shows “how unprofitable and dead faith is without works” and goes on to say that “such a faith is, however, apt to make men conceited and magisterial in their tempers and their talk. Those who set up faith in the manner the former chapter condemns are most apt to run into those sins of the tongue which this chapter condemns. And indeed the best need to be cautioned against a dictating, censorious, mischievous use of their tongues.”
UNDERSTANDING
There’s lots of great guidance in this chapter; but a majority can be summed up with...
Watch yo’ mouth!
- As Christians, we will be judged more strictly by what comes out of our mouths.
- The tongue, left unchecked, corrupts the whole body.
- The tongue is not easily tamed.
- Praising the Lord, while cursing those made in is likeness is a sign of an unchecked, untamed tongue.
It also requires us to acknowledge the power of the tongue. It’s small but mighty! And it can just as equally (though perhaps, not just as easily) be used for good!
LIFE APPLICATION
James___2
Observation-What does it say? The author of this letter is James, who is most likely the brother of Jesus. This letter covers a range of topics regarding Christian conduct, most of which are shown in contrast: rich and poor, pride and humility, faith and works. In the second chapter, we are presented with a warning on our treatment of others and alternative to judgement. James reminds us, in a more plain dialect, of what Jesus told us in the parable of the Laborers Vineyard: The first shall be last and the last shall be first. (Matthew 20:1-16)
After giving us fair warning of how we should treat those less fortunate than us, and be wary of showing favoritism on the basis of wealth, we are told how we might practically live out our life of faith. We do this by putting action to the love we claim. In doing this, we will be more prone to see people through the lens of Christ’s love.
Understanding-What does it mean? I sat, listening to a conversation between two family members, as they discussed a recent interview for a job. The interview had not gone as planned, and one of the subjects discussed was outfit choice for the outfit. The interviewee had decided, against sage advice, to wear jeans and a t-shirt to the interview. When asked about this decision, they stated, “I don’t want to change who I am to get a job.”
As I pondered this statement, I considered my attitude in coming to Jesus and how it was much the same. What I show in my actions speaks much to the same tone, “Jesus, I love you, but I don’t want to change.” But, we know that we are, by nature, prone to sin and thus a natural enemy towards Jesus. Acting out our faith, and loving those who we don’t naturally want to love, causes a change in our heart, thus allowing God to perfect us daily.
In my day to day life, I need to go about the business of caring for those less fortunate than me. In doing this, I am practicing the change I claim to desire from my relationship with Jesus. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Life Application Jesus, help me to learn to let go of my sinful self. Put me in places where I will be challenged to love in a sacrificial way. In being obedient to giving and loving in a sacrificial way, I trust you are changing my will to be your will.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sILwvJShMV8
2 Chronicles 31
2 Chronicles 31:1 When all this had ended, the Israelites who were there went out to the towns of Judah, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.
They destroyed the high places and the altars
throughout Judah and Benjamin and in Ephraim and Manasseh. After they had destroyed all of them, the Israelites returned to their own towns and to their own property.
ObservationHezekiah sent a letter throughout Israel and Judah, telling the people to turn their ways and heart back to God. 2 Chronicles 30:9 “He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”2 Chronicles 30:14 They removed the altars in Jerusalem and cleared away the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley.Hezekiah prayed. God heard his humble prayer and He healed the people. 2 Chronicles 30:26 There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 27 The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place. Understanding
2 Chronicles 31:20 This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands,
he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.
And so he prospered.
Application Humble yourself and commit your whole heart to God. God is searching for those whose hearts are fully devoted to him. Whose hearts refuse to lift themselves above Him. Whose hearts are humble enough to be vulnerable and fully lean upon Him. We live and move and have our very existence because of Him. Is He not worthy? Is He not faithful? Is He not love?He is waiting to pour out all he has to those who turn their hearts to him. He is waiting to heal our land, our homes, our kids, our marriages, our finances, our bodies…