James 1 - 9.25.25
SCRIPTURE: James 1:2-4 Patient endurance in trials.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
OBSERVATION
James is the author of the book of James. Jesus had four “half” brothers—James, Joses, Simon, and Jude. The oldest of these, James, eventually became the leader of the Jesus movement in Jerusalem and was murdered by the high priest about the year AD 62.
The chapter begins with James, stating that he is a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ when he writes the words of Jesus. And it is more meaningful, knowing that this James was the half-brother of Jesus which makes his self-introduction all the more significant. He did not proclaim himself “the brother of Jesus” but only a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was more than James’ brother; more importantly, Jesus was his Lord. Shows James humble nature.
James regarded trials as inevitable. He said when, not if you fall into various trials. At the same time trials are occasions for joy, not discouraged resignation. We can count it all joy in the midst of trials because they are used to produce patience. Patience describes a frame of mind which endures: passive waiting but an active endurance.
Patient endurance is a mark of the person who is perfect and complete, lacking nothing. This is why James exhorted us to count it all joy. Counting it all joy is faith’s response to a time of trial.
APPLICATION
Trials can prove a wonderful work of God in us and we feel the power of faith in Him. And trials are an occasion for joy, not discouraged resignation. Knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience and that is the way we receive the wisdom needed by learning from our trials through Faith in Him. If trials do not produce faith, what does? Romans 10:17 tells us: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. “ Supernaturally, faith is built in us as we hear, understand, and trust in God’s word.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I have tears thinking about your “big brother”, James, who grew up with you, and because he knew you, his humble nature was on fire for you to carry your word until the day he died. I can only imagine the love (and fun, teasing, challenges) you had for one another seeing each other every day for thirty years. And then for James to see the suffering and persecution of what his “older brother” and savior went through for us is unbearable and unspeakably humbling. And James gave his life for his “brother” and savior, in return. I am so blessed to have my three sons—and one daughter, she’s the oldest—and had to put up with all their shenanigans. So I know how brothers are and how they would be there in a heartbeat to help one another in times of trouble…but to picture you Jesus as a son and a brother, fills my heart with unspeakable Joy. And to know of what you did as the Savior for our/my salvation is even more glorious and truly humbling. Thank you, Jesus, for YOU and those who loved you and wrote your WORD. It is beyond words that I THANK YOU, for all you’ve done and went through for us as the promised Messiah. I CHOOSE to count it all joy in the various trials I face and will face, knowing that the testing of my faith WILL produce patience/perseverance/endurance. AND even more—I thank you Jesus, that when you rose again YOUR HOLY SPIRIT is ALWAYS with us. Lord, let me be your bondservant and bring others to know you. And I pray this for my family and my friends, to turn to you EVERY DAY, AMEN.
- Charleen Zakarian
Psalm 42 - 9.24.25
Scripture
Psalm 42:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Observation
We all experience disappointment, discouragement, sickness, and loss – these things are part of the world we live in. But God offers us peace, even in our darkest times, if we will put our faith and hope in Him.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Application
Psalm 42 offers us a good example of how we should respond in times of trouble.
Vs. 2 “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” When we experience trouble, our first instinct should be to run to God and to acknowledge our reliance on Him. He is our source, our healer, our provider, our protector.
Vs. 4 “These things I remember as I pour out my soul;” Remember the times that God has answered your prayers and come to your rescue. Trust that He will do it again.
Vs. 5 “Why my soul, are you downcast?” You serve a mighty God who loves you. Change your self-talk – put your focus on Him. Fill your mind with scripture full of His promises.
Vs. 5 “Put your hope in God,” Decide that you will put your hope in God, that you will trust Him to meet your needs.
Vs. 5 “I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Fill your mouth and heart with praises to Him.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for this encouraging word today. Thank you that You are my hope and my peace in ALL circumstances. Thank you for your great love for me.
- Debbie Dunn
Luke 23 - 9.23.25
SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:39 – 43
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
OBSERVATION
In this section of Scripture, we read about Jesus’ crucifiction. He is on the cross between two criminals. We don’t know the criminals exact crimes but it must have been severe to warrant a crucifiction. The word “criminals” in Greek (lēstēs) means a robber, bandit; rebel, revolutionary.
As one insults Jesus, the other criminal recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and comes to His defense. He doesn’t just acknowledge Jesus as King, but recognizes something even the disciples had trouble understanding – that Jesus would be King in heaven and not on earth. The disciples and religious rulers all thought that Jesus was talking about being King on earth. They couldn’t see or understand his ruling was in heaven and not on this earth.
I love how the criminal flat out tells the other criminal, “Don’t you fear God?” He’s basically chastising him! They know their death is imminent. The one criminal is not realizing or taking his death very serious. The other, knowing who Jesus is, asks that He “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus acknowledges his faith, his belief in God, by telling him “today you will be with me in paradise.”
This portion of scripture fascinates me. The one criminal is oblivious to what’s coming after he dies, yet the other one acknowledges Jesus as God. He has faith in Jesus! He knows Jesus will be King in His “Kingdom.” Then Jesus readily accepts him into heaven. God’s love transends all situations making salvation available to the criminial in his last moments on earth.
APPLICATION
We are all sinners but these criminals had done some terrible things – bad enough to be crucified - yet Jesus was willing to accept the one criminal because of his faith. This criminal, who is about to die, acknowledges his sin (his crimes), yet because of his faith in Jesus, he was received into heaven. What a wonderful example of God’s perfect love in the most unusual situation.
This scripture is a beacon of hope for any loved one that might have had the chance to declare their faith before passing. We can have hope for now but honestly won’t know until we’re in heaven if they made that last minute confession of faith and asked Christ into their life. Our hope is based on what Jesus did for the criminal on the cross.
Romans 10:9 says “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The criminal didn’t have the opportunity to witness Jesus coming back from the dead, but he did declared Jesus as Lord, believed in Him, and that’s what saved him.
This is not to say we can just party up our life and squeeze in a quick confession before we take our last breath thinking that will work. God knows our heart. His amazing grace doesn’t work that way either. Paul wrote about God’s grace and the subject of Christians who continue to live their life in sin in Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” So if your plan is to try and test God’s grace and forgiveness, I highly doubt it will work. Plus, why chance your eternity in that last moment? You never know if you’ll even have that last moment chance. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. If you have any doubts about where you stand before God, make your confession of faith today. Confess your sins and need for God’s salvation, believe in the salvation message, and give your life over to God. Then live a life that is pleasing to Him!
“For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for sacrificing your life on the cross and providing salvation to those who believe. Help me Lord to never forget your precious sacrifice on the cross. Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Your love goes deep and beyond what I could ever fathom. Help me to remember that your rule, your Kingdom, is not on this earth but in heaven. You will rule there for eternity with all those who believe. I take comfort in knowing that you receive into heaven any and all, at any point in their life, who have committed any crime or sin, as long as they believe, confess, and repent. Your saving grace and love for us is beyond comprehension. Thank you for it all. In Jesus name, Amen!
- Mary Oberg