real life. real relationships. real purpose. in writing.
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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
In what ways have you seen God at work within you this week? Within your family? Within others you may interact with?
In what ways have you resisted God’s work within you this week?
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James 4:2-3 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
Picture the following:
Some may have these experiences and pray, God, please give me the ability to sing like that, teach like that, or write like that! James reminds us all that God may not answer this prayer if the one praying has poor motives. Instead, it’s best to recognize that God has a specific purpose for each of us. And we will experience peace & contentment by living out the purpose He has for us.
READING & PRAYERS:
JAMES 4:1-17 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What is one area of your life in which the desire of your heart is to have what somebody else has? How may God be inviting you to let go of this desire and instead be content with what He has provided you?
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: As you pray today, spend an equal amount of time listening to God as you spend talking to God. Perhaps listen even longer. Consider making this a part of your daily practices so you can discern God’s voice more clearly.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge there are times when I feel like I am content, but then I feel a sudden need to buy something or pray for something I don’t have, believing the lie that if I would just have that one thing my life would be so much better. Continue to help me see that I need nothing more than Your love. May I rest in You alone. Amen.
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James 3:7-8 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue.
It’s a sad reality that many in the West grow up hearing phrases like, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Statements such as these are a big lie. Words hurt. A lot. Physical wounds heal over but the pain from hurtful words can last a lifetime. Words that are condescending, demeaning, judgmental, and/or shaming leave a lingering pain. Those who hear such words thrown at them often feel worthless and insignificant.
Another sad reality is this: even though we have all experienced tremendous hurt from somebody else’s words, we often attempt to justify our own hurtful words. “What I said may have sounded harsh, but it was true. And speaking the truth isn’t ever a bad thing.”
James, as well as many other Scripture passages, remind us that words have tremendous power. Even our own. And while James notes that “nobody can tame the tongue,” we can all do our best to apologize and ask forgiveness for the times we speak when we ought not.
READING & PRAYERS:
JAMES 3:1-18, PROVERBS 13:3, 17:28, MATTHEW 12:33-37
QUESTION: When is a time somebody else’s words caused you tremendous pain? Similarly, can you think of a time when your words may have caused somebody else tremendous pain? What steps may God be inviting you to take so that your relationship with others can begin to be restored?
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Write down a list of a few things that help you experience peace and contentment in life. Then consider creating a plan that leads to you saying “yes” to these things more regularly and “no” to others.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today’s questions were difficult for me because I know I have tried to justify the hurtful words I have shouted at others. Yet I know that it is of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Continue to change my heart so that I speak words of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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James 2:1 …how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor
James 2:15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
It is truly a terrible thing when somebody attempts to grow in their love for God without growing in their love for people.
Mother Teresa, in Words to Love By writes it this way:
“The greatest disease in the West today is not tuberculosis or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love.
At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.’”
READING & PRAYERS:
JAMES 2:14-26 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What thoughts come to mind as you read through Mother Teresa’s quote?
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Practice breath prayers throughout the day. Breathe in with the first part of the prayer, then exhale with the second. Some examples include: “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” “Speak Lord, I am listening.” “You are the potter, I am the clay.” “Peace. Be still.”
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that far too often I live thinking that I need to be “successful” – highly educated, making money, and leaving behind a legacy. But this is a highly self-centered way of living. Continue to reveal to me that real success is to die to my own desires and to submit to God’s purpose for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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James 2:1 …how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
We would like to think that our society have moved beyond showing favoritism. But if you were to walk into a car dealership dressed like a blue-collar worker and then walk into the same dealership the next week in a full suit, there’s a very high chance you would be treated differently simply based on what you were wearing.
But clothing isn’t the only way one may show favoritism:
As you read today, consider whether you find yourself showing favoritism toward one group of people over another.
READING & PRAYERS:
JAMES 2:1-13 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Spend some time today reflecting in prayer on this question: Is there any area of my life in which I show favoritism (even if I may be unaware of it)? Consider the areas of education, race/ethnicity, finances, beliefs, politics, and more.
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: As you pray today, spend an equal amount of time listening to God as you spend talking to God. Perhaps listen even longer. Consider making this a part of your daily practices so you can discern God’s voice more clearly.
Take a Step: This week, consider utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that if I fully reflect on the question above I am likely to discover I show far more favoritism than I would like. Continue to help me grow into somebody who treats all people equally, no matter what. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
In what ways have you seen God at work within you this week? Within your family? Within others you may interact with?
In what ways have you resisted God’s work within you this week?
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James 1:19b You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
After spending some time this week in Daniel 9, let’s now turn our attention to a passage which was written with more practical implications. We finished out last week’s readings with James 1:2-18, so this week let’s move forward to James 1:19-27.
James 1:19 is a frequently taught passage within western Christianity today, yet it remains one of the most difficult passages to apply.
As you go about your day today, pay very close attention to how frequently you talk and how well you listen. When listening, are you really listening to what the other person is saying, or are you spending more time thinking about how you’re going to respond when they’re done? Are you listening to understand the other person’s perspective, or are you waiting to tell them why their perspective is wrong? Are you allowing yourself to feel the deep emotions they’re feeling, or are you judging them for feeling that way? Real listening takes great patience and humility.
READING & PRAYERS:
JAMES 1:19-27 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: When is a time you really felt like somebody fully listened to you without judging or telling you why you’re wrong? What was that experience like?
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: As you pray today, spend an equal amount of time listening to God as you spend talking to God. Perhaps listen even longer. Consider making this a part of your daily practices so you can discern God’s voice more clearly.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that far too often I’m more likely to judge others, or finish their sentences, or think about how I want to respond than I am to provide them space to freely talk. Help me to set aside my self-centeredness and simply be one who really listens to those I interact with today – and everyday. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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There are some passages within in the Bible that have no clear agreement among Biblical scholars. Daniel 9:20-27 is one of those passages. Some believe that this passage was fulfilled in ancient Jerusalem and others believe it will be fulfilled at some point in the future.
But there are two important principles we must remember. First, you could do a very detailed study on this passage and come to your own understanding of which view it represents, while others may come to a different conclusion. In the end, you can still respect one another and live in unity with one another, as the ultimate meaning of this passage doesn’t impact your overall faith in Christ.
Another important principle is that the Scriptures repeatedly mention that as followers of Jesus, we ought not live in fear. In fact, the one command Jesus most often gave is this – be not afraid. If you read passages such as this and become fearful of what may occur in the future, take the opportunity to give that fear over to Jesus. Remember, God and God alone is on the throne and He is in full control. We do not need to live in fear.
READING & PRAYERS:
DANIEL 9:1-27 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Do passages such as this one, or others that may prophecy events that will occur in the end times lead you to fear? If so, what is it that you are actually afraid of? Be open and honest in your prayers with God, and give this fear to Him.
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Write down a list of a few things that help you experience peace and contentment in life. Then consider creating a plan that leads to you saying “yes” to these things more regularly and “no” to others.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge I do sometimes have fear about what might happen instead of being comforted by what I believe will happen – living in eternity with You. I give You all my fear and desire for control today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Daniel 9:19 “O Lord, hear…forgive….listen and act!
While advancing in age, Daniel discovered in the book of Jeremiah that the people of God would be in Babylon for 70 years (Daniel 9:2, Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). There’s a good chance that when Daniel meditated on these passages in the book of Jeremiah he was well aware that the 70 years were soon going to come to a close.
How does Daniel respond? He prays. As he prays, he begins by acknowledging the greatness of God. As he continues, he confesses at length about the people of God not living out God’s precepts. But why does he make confession such a big part of this prayer?
There are many possible answers. One is this: if Daniel had only focused on praise and adoration, he would’ve missed out on an opportunity to remind himself and the rest of God’s people that it was their own sin that had led them to their current circumstances. By including a lengthy confession, the people of God were reminded that they were responsible for their current circumstances. The confession helps ensure the people won’t blame God for their time in exile.
READING & PRAYERS:
DANIEL 9:1-27 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
NOTE: Some may hear the word “confession” and translate it as: God is good. I am not. Try harder.” But this isn’t the heart of confession. Instead, it’s about ongoing surrender to God. It’s acknowledging that He is ultimately in control and we are not. It’s an inward sign of faith, revealing that we’ve strayed from God and are committed to turning back to Him.
PRAYER: Complete the same exercise as yesterday. Take the opportunity to write out – with pen and paper – your own prayer to God. Begin with the practices outlined below (silence, listening to God). But take the time to be real. To be personal. To be vulnerable. Let Him know everything you’re feeling and struggling with. Let Him know everything you may need to confess. Let Him know all the reasons you love Him.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
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Daniel 9:4b O Lord, you are a great and awesome God!
A common question many followers of Jesus ask is, Can you teach me how to pray? It’s such a common question that Jesus’ own disciples approached him and asked if he could teach them how to pray! We may be accustomed to hearing prayer while in church, simple prayers before a meal, or other basic prayers with our children at bedtime. But something deep within many of us yearns for more. It’s as if we recognize that prayer has the potential to be a deeply intimate, personal, vulnerable conversation between God and His people.
Here are two things to consider: First, just because a prayer may seem simple doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful. A simple or basic prayer before a meal or at bedtime is still offered to our extremely powerful God. Just because it seems simple doesn’t mean it’s lacking.
Second, if you feel like your prayers can be more deeply intimate, personal, and vulnerable, then begin being more intimate, personal, and vulnerable with God. He is fully aware of everything going on within you and won’t ever be surprised by what you share with Him in prayer.
READING & PRAYERS:
DANIEL 9:1-19 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
PRAYER: Today, take the opportunity to write out – with pen and paper – your own prayer to God. Begin with the practices outlined below (silence, listening to God). But take the time to be real. To be personal. To be vulnerable. Let Him know all your feelings and struggles. Let Him know everything you may need to confess. Let Him know all the reasons you love Him.
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: As you pray today, spend an equal amount of time listening to God as you spend talking to God. Perhaps listen even longer. Consider making this a part of your daily practices so you can discern God’s voice more clearly.
Take a Step: This week, consider utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.
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