The Book of JamesChikamu

Today's Devotional:

This passage puts our faith into action in a very real way. As followers of Jesus, we are called to action, and we are called to examine ourselves and to love others as a way to love Jesus. This is counter-cultural in every way, but I love how the author here makes it so simple for us. Simple concept, but the implementation requires self-sacrifice and commitment. We are not people who follow a list of rules to look righteous. We are imperfect people willing to love the people who are the hardest to love—we are people of faith in action. There are orphans and spiritual orphans in all of our lives, there are those who need our care and protection, and we are the ones called to meet those needs. Our faith inspires it and drives it. I love that we are a church that responds to the needs of our community corporately and individually. We are proactive in meeting needs, we are responsive when a need arises, and we are willing to give the first part of every gift from God in order to be a collective force of pure and undefiled religion. It’s not serving to be seen, it’s faith in action compelled by our love for Jesus that prompts us to step out, and our love for others demonstrates the beauty of the love of God for us. We know that as we look into the eyes of the children who need provision, care, and leadership, it doesn’t just change their lives, but it changes us. Our good Father knows we will be changed as we serve, and in His goodness, I know it’s why He directs us toward each other in acts of love.

There are two observations in this passage, one is meeting the needs of those around us, but there is another part as well. As we control our tongues and refuse to let the world corrupt us, we again put ourselves in a position to be molded more and more into the image of God. We choose to speak life to those around us, and we choose to put ourselves in a place where we will be constantly called up to more in our relationship with Jesus. This means we are constantly examining, praying, repenting, and allowing the Holy Spirit, by His strength alone, to conform us to His likeness only.

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This devotional was written by Pastor Jenni O'Neal.

Questions:

1. How can we speak life into every situation we encounter today?
2. Where can we find the orphans, the widows, and those who need our care, and how can we care for them today?
3. How have you seen your faith play a role in serving others? And how have you been changed because of your decision to care intentionally for those who are hurting?

Prayer:

God, help me to love those who are hardest to love. Conform me to your likeness and help me to go deeper in my relationships with you. Open my eyes up to those who are hurting and help me to respond like you would respond. Amen.