Plan Info

Morning Coffee With JamesSample

DAY 3 OF 8

Keep Going!

Read James 1:3-4

God's Word to Them...

The early church consisted almost entirely of new converts. Immature in their faith, they experienced a great deal of pressure because of their decisions to follow Christ. James encouraged them to persevere during the difficult times. He longed to see them grow and become mature in their faith.

God's Word to Us...

If an athlete wants to improve his skill, he must allow himself to face pressure beyond what he has faced before. He must continue through that pressure, or he will not grow. A runner must push himself to run faster, longer than he has in the past. A weightlifter must gradually increase the amount of weight he lifts. In the same way, the Christian must continue to face the pressures of this life. Each time we endure successfully, the pressure seems a little less the next time.

Perseverance is one thing that cannot be rushed. To develop perseverance, we must endure pressure over a period of time. God provides no easy way to maturity, to completion. We simply must persist through the difficulties of this life, finding strength through our faith in God.

Cream and Sugar...

In what area of your life do you need to become more mature? Write down three things you can do to become stronger in that area.

Dear Father, thank You for giving me everything I need to persevere and to grow into the person You created me to be. During the difficulties of this life, help me to endure as I focus on You. Amen.

The Last Drop...

“Nothing great was ever done without much enduring.” —CATHERINE OF SIENA

Scripture

James 1:3-4

Matthew 5:48

Hebrews 10:36

1 Peter 1:6-7

Day 2Day 4

About this Plan

As the half brother of Jesus, James knew a side of our Lord that few others did. He ate with Him, slept with Him, played brotherly pranks. He worked alongside Jesus in the carpenter’s shop. He loved his brother. But as is the case in so many families, James was too close to his brother to recognize Him as special. I can only imagine the confusion and embarrassment James felt when his big brother told people He was the Messiah! I can only imagine the shame James carried when his big brother was executed like a common criminal. Then, after Jesus was dead and buried, James saw Him. His brother, whom he loved, stood right before his eyes! James lived out the remainder of his days building the church. We never hear James boasting about his relationship with Jesus. Instead, he refers to himself as Jesus’ servant. He calls his fellow Christians “brothers.” The book of James doesn’t tell us how to become a Christian. Instead, it is a practical how-to guide for Christian living. He tells us to persevere, to stand firm in our faith. He tells us to stop talking about our faith and start living it. He tells us to treat everyone equally and to stop playing favorites, to control our tongues, to seek God for all of life’s answers. James is a no-nonsense kind of guy. So pour yourself a cup of coffee and flavor it just right. Then, sit back and get ready to learn timeless lessons from James 1, the brother of our Lord.

We would like to thank Renae Brumbaugh Green, author of Latte for Life: 45 Devotions from the book of Ruth for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://broadstreetpublishing.com/latte-for-life/9781424553662/

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