Category Archives: James

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

04 Sunday Oct 2026

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Day 10: A Message of New Birth

He wanted us to be his own special people,[a]
and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.  
(James 1:18, CEV)

Reflection

How does God feel about you? Does He consider you a waste of His time and effort? For that matter, does God think of you at all? Today’s reading from the Epistle of James answers these questions.

He wanted us to be his own special people,[a]and so he sent the true message to give us new birth. (James 1:18, CEV)

According to this verse, you are not an afterthought in the mind of the Creator. You are special and you are wanted. How special are you? According to the original Greek, you are “the first of his creatures.” In other words, we are of first importance. And how do we know this is true? 

We know this is true because of the second half of verse eighteen: and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.

So who is this true message? Notice I didn’t ask, “What is this true message?”

Jesus didn’t just proclaim the message of salvation. He is the message of salvation. In his gospel, John introduces us to Jesus our Messiah with these words:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

And why did God send the true message? Again, we find the answer in this verse. The Father who created all the lights in the heavens (v. 17) sent the true message to give us new birth.

In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus stated, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3, NIV).

Please note that you and I did not initiate our own birth. My birth was initiated by my father in consort with my mother. In the same way our heavenly Father initiated our spiritual rebirth by sending Jesus—the true message to give us new birth. Peter reassures us that this is so with these words: For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:23, NIV). 

Therefore, along with Paul we can declare, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV).

Response

Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the true message into my life. Jesus, I appreciate your grace and forgiveness. I am so grateful that I have been born again by your Holy Spirit. Father, I am your child. My spirit cries, “Abba, Father! You are my God.” Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

27 Sunday Sep 2026

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Day 9: Our Unchanging Father

Don’t be fooled, my dear friends.
 Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father
who created all the lights in the heavens.
He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.  
(James 1:16-17, CEV)

Reflection

At this point, we are over halfway through the first chapter of the Epistle of James. If you have been paying attention, you may have noticed the James has been painting a picture—a word picture of Jesus. With every word, phrase and sentence, he is giving us a clearer sense of who his virgin-born brother really is.

Some may protest that this perspective is inaccurate. After all, James has not mentioned the name of Jesus even once thus far, and the name of Christ does not appear anywhere in his epistle. So, how could James be painting a picture of Jesus?

James has been describing the very nature of God the Father. But in that description, we see Jesus because Jesus is the embodiment God. When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus responded with these words:

“Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9)

In the same way, through his words since the start of his epistle, James has been showing us the Father. And when we see the Father, we see Jesus. So then, with the strokes of his pen what picture of the Father has James sketched for us thus far?

James has revealed that God hears our prayers and generously provides wisdom (v. 5). God expects us to have persistent faith (vs. 6-8). He values the poor and humbles the rich (vs. 9-11). He blesses and rewards those who love Him (v. 12). And our heavenly Father tempts no one (v. 13-15).

With today’s reading, we learn of three additional character qualities of the Father. He is a giver—a giver of good and perfect gifts. There is no darkness or evil intention in God. And He never changes.

That’s also a perfect picture of Jesus. In his earthly ministry Jesus demonstrated all the character qualities that James sketches out for us in his epistle. Jesus was and is the physical embodiment of his Father. He didn’t just show us the way to the Father. He showed us the Father.

As sons and daughters of the Father let’s determine to become like Him.

Response

Holy Spirit, I want to be more like Jesus. You know I fall short. Change me from the inside out. Show me how to live in this fallen world. Daily, I need your wisdom. You have promised good and perfect gifts including wisdom to those who ask. I ask all this by the power and grace of Jesus. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

20 Sunday Sep 2026

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Day 8: The Ultimate Blame Game

 Don’t blame God when you are tempted!
God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others.  
We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us.
Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us,
it leaves us dead.
(James 1:13-15, CEV)

Reflection

Ah… The blame game. It’s been going on since Adam and Eve stepped out of Eden. Adam blamed Eve. And Eve blamed the serpent. But a closer look at Adam’s words reveals that he places the deeper blame—the ultimate blame—on God.

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” (Genesis 3:12, NIV)

So then, it’s God’s fault. He brought this woman—the cause of this problem into Adam’s life. So logically, God is to blame.

Humanity has been using this line of reasoning since day one. You see echoes of the ultimate blame game in arguments trotted out by present-day atheists. Every war is God’s fault. The fault does not lie with the humans who start the war and perpetuate it. Somehow, God is to blame for our self-inflicted pain and stupidity.

But there is a serious problem with this blame shifting line of reasoning. It conveniently absolves us of all responsibility for our actions. However, God did not create a planet of automatons. He created us as humans capable of both love and hate, good and evil. So then, as free moral agents, we are responsible for our actions. Freedom requires responsibility. Furthermore, we are accountable—accountable to God and those around us for our words and deeds.

The devil tempted Eve, but he did not force her to eat the forbidden fruit. In the same way Adam freely chose to disobey God. For Adam and Eve, and me as well, these words prove true:

We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead. (James 1:14-15, CEV)

Fortunately, God does not leave us condemned to death. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, a way has been opened for us to get back to the garden of God and the Tree of Life. It’s the way of the cross. The penalty for our disobedience has been paid by the spotless Lamb of God.

Let’s walk that way together with Him.

Response

Lord God, I want to stop blaming you for my difficulties, and for the suffering I see in the world. You are a good God—a God of mercy and compassion. Through Jesus, your Son, you demonstrated your love and mercy. Help me to overcome every temptation by the power of Jesus. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

13 Sunday Sep 2026

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Day 7: The Blessing and the Reward

God will bless you,
if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested.
He will reward you with a glorious life, 
just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
(James 1:12, CEV)

Reflection

Let’s face it. Life is tough. It’s a constant struggle, more so for some than others, but this truth remains: At various times, we will all face difficulties, grief, and loss.

For believers such hardships can come as a severe test that strikes at the very roots of our faith. The loss of a relationship, a spouse, or a child can snuff out our confidence and send our soaring faith crashing to the ground. We can quickly find ourselves asking, “Why God? You are all powerful. Why did you allow this tragedy—this mishap—this loss to happen?”

And what do we hear back when we ask these questions? 

Silence. Often just silence.

Into the silence—into our despair—God’s word whispers, “God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested.”

When tragedy strikes, we can be tempted to give up on our faith in a loving, merciful God. At such times we should heed this advice from the writer of Hebrews:

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. (Hebrews 12:7-8, NIV)

Are you just a fair-weather follower of Jesus, or does he command your full allegiance? Are you a son or daughter of the Most High? If so, then you will endure hardship and come through triumphant just as James declares. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him. (James 1:12b, CEV)

The Lord rewards our faithfulness to Him. The Greek words that James uses in the passage above signify crowning with a laurel wreath as was done for winners at the ancient Olympic games. Other translations refer to our reward as “the crown of life.” (See James 1:12, NIV.)

For now, and eternity there is unfading honor in running our race for Jesus.

Response

Lord God, when the way is hard give me the the strength to endure and press on. Bring me safely across the finish line. You are my shield and my very great reward (Genesis 15:1). I put my trust in your saving grace. I pray in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

06 Sunday Sep 2026

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Day 6: The Poor and the Rich

Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad
he thinks so highly of them. 
But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble.
Rich people will disappear like wild flowers 
scorched by the burning heat of the sun.
The flowers lose their blossoms,
and their beauty is destroyed.
This is how the rich will disappear,
as they go about their business.
(James 1:9-11, CEV)

Reflection

I confess I would rather be rich than poor. I would rather be honored than humbled. But in today’s reading from James, we see that God turns that kind of thinking on its head. God thinks highly of the poor. And on the opposite end of the wealth spectrum, James writes the “rich should be glad when God makes them humble.”

That’s the reverse of how the world operates. The rich are honored and the poor and needy are despised.

From where did James get the values reflected in the passage above? He got them directly from his half-brother, the Lord Jesus, the risen Christ.

Jesus begins his epic Sermon on the Mount with these words:

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:3-5, ESV)

Jesus blessed the poor and honored the meek and humble in heart. That’s the kind of Savior we have. He hears the pleas of the beggar by the roadside of life. (See Mark 10:46-52.) Our Savior saves his rebukes for the rich, the proud, and the self-righteous. See Matthew 23.

There is no certainty in wealth. Paul gives this sound advice to Timothy: Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. (1 Timothy 6:17, CEV)

But it’s not just wealth that is uncertain. Our very lives are uncertain. Later in his epistle James issues this warning: What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. (James 4:14, CEV)A rich man named Job declared, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart” (Job 1:21). Our security for now and all eternity must rest in Christ our Savior.

Response

Lord God, help me to put my complete trust in you rather than this world’s wealth. In practical ways help me to reflect your care for the poor and needy. If I prosper help me maintain a heart of humility and gratitude because all I have comes from you. I pray in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

30 Sunday Aug 2026

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Day 5: The Faith Imperative

But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt.
Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.
If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind,
and you surely can’t be trusted.
So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.
(James 1:6-8, CEV)

Reflection

In today’s reading, James commands us to have faith. There is nothing timid or passive about the faith that James urges us to have. He calls us to a confident, aggressive kind of faith.

Where does that confident faith come from? It must come from the Lord Jesus Christ. In his life on earth, Jesus demonstrated aggressive faith—life-changing faith—mountain-moving faith.

Jesus gave his disciples this instruction: “Have faith in God! If you have faith in God and don’t doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.” (Mark 11:22-24, CEV)

Now that’s bold faith—mountain-moving faith.

What kind of prayers are you praying? Are you praying bold prayers? Does the devil tremble when you get on your knees to pray? Are you seizing the moment for God and His Kingdom? Or are your prayers self-centered and disrupted by doubt?

When we pray in God’s will we can pray with great confidence.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:13-15, NIV)

Christ’s faith was rock solid and immovable. That’s the kind of faith that James calls us to have. The doubter is uncertain of God’s will and is tossed to and froe by changing circumstances and worries. But the person who has heard God has a faith that is sure and anchored in the Almighty.

Rather than receiving wisdom, (see James 1:5) the doubter receives nothing. The man of faith moves mountains. The doubter moves nothing. Instead, the doubter is adrift moved by wind and wave.

Which would you rather be? A mover of mountains or a hapless drifter?

Response

Lord God, I need faith, but not just any faith. I need the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lord grant me mountain-moving faith, not for my sake, but for the sake of your Kingdom and your glory. I ask in humility. I pray this in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

16 Sunday Aug 2026

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Day 4: Wisdom Promised

If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God,
and it will be given to you.
God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.
(James 1:5, CEV)

Reflection

Do you need wisdom? I certainly do. I am sure we can all answer “yes” to that question.

Ah, but what kind of wisdom do you want? There are two kinds on offer: The wisdom of the world, or the wisdom of God.

Paul writes: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. (2 Corinthians 1:12, NIV)

The wisdom of this world draws us away from Christ and his message of grace and redemption. This is so because the wisdom of the world is centered on self—a self that is prone to pride and self-deception. In contrast, the wisdom of God is centered on God, the Creator and Redeemer of all things.

Genuine wisdom in any field of endeavor is a gift from God who is the giver of all good things. Later in this chapter James reminds us of the source of various gifts such as wisdom.

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. (James 1:17)

James reminds us that God will answer our prayers for wisdom because he is generous and willing to bestow gifts of wisdom on His children. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking (James 1:5b). By nature, He is a God of grace. Furthermore, He welcomes your requests.

Do I need wisdom? Yes, everyday, and in every way. Situations are constantly arising that call for wisdom. Best of all God is situated beyond time. He knows how every situation will end. He knows the consequences that our actions will set in motion. He knows what will happen tomorrow and ten years from now.

God can guide your steps into paths of wisdom. Solomon prayed for wisdom and God answered his prayer. (See 1 Kings 3:4-15.) Later we read, God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore (1 Kings 4:29).

Response

Lord God, I need your wisdom. You know the end before I even begin. Show me the way forward as I move through my day and all along the path of life. Let your wisdom guide me. Thank you for being a generous God who answers my prayers for wisdom by the mercy of Jesus. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

09 Sunday Aug 2026

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Day 3: Joyful Endurance

My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.
You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested.
But you must learn to endure everything,
so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
(James 1:2-4, CEV)

Reflection

James begins his letter with a direct imperative command. My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble (v. 2). This is one of the distinguishing features of James’ writing style. He uses imperative (command) statements more than any New Testament writer. There are 104 verses in the Epistle of James and 52 of them are commands. He does not have suggestions for us; James has direct commands.

In this respect, James has a teaching style that reflects the heart and voice of his older brother, Jesus. After Jesus set forth how his followers should live with his Sermon on the Mount, the people responded to his message with this observation:

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:28-29, NIV)

Be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. (v.1) This is not an easy command. It’s like asking for the impossible. I tend to whine, complain, and get angry when I have a lot of trouble. I become upset because I feel I deserve better. Do you respond like me?

But James calls for a different response. He asks us to look past the current situation and take the long view—the Christ-centered eternal perspective.

You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything. (vs. 3-4)

Christ wants our maturity, not our childish temper tantrums. Joy and gladness reflect the true nature of our redeemed status as children of God most high. A tested faith is a true faith. Similarly, Paul calls us to live on this higher plane:

… but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5, NIV)

Response

Lord God, help me to persevere in times of testing. I want to have a joyful, thankful heart even when the way is difficult. You want me to have a mature faith that shines for you. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

02 Sunday Aug 2026

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Day 2: Are You Numbered among the Twelve Tribes?

Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world. (James 1:1b, CEV)

Reflection

Every letter has an intended audience. Having introduced himself as “James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ,” James now goes on to identify his audience as “the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.”

So, who is James addressing? Who are these twelve tribes?

If you have read the Old Testament scriptures the answer to that question appears to be obvious. The twelve tribes are the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, whom the LORD renamed Israel after he wrestled with God at Peniel. (See Genesis 32:27-30.) More specifically the twelve tribes are the descendants of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulan, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamen. (See Genesis 49:1-28.)

So then, the Epistle of James is addressed solely to the descendants of Israel. But is this narrow interpretation correct? If so, this letter from James and the teaching found therein has no bearing on me. I am not a descendant of the twelve tribes. Why then is this epistle included in the New Testament canon? Does this phrase the twelve tribes scattered all over the world have a broader meaning?

There is ample evidence to suggest that the phrase “twelve tribes” is inclusive of all Christian believers regardless of race or nationality. Under the new covenant ushered in by Jesus, followers of Christ are the new Israel of God (Galatians 6:14–16).

The view that the phrase “twelve tribes scattered all over the world” is a description of the church as the new Israel is strengthened by Peter’s use of a similar phrase in 1 Peter 1:1. Peter addresses his letter to “the exiles of the Dispersion” (RSV) or scattering.

The son’s of Jacob seize Joseph their brother. Picture by Gracefiber.com

The point being made here is that the apostles saw all those who were redeemed by Christ as heirs of the new kingdom that he was establishing. This new kingdom is the “Israel of God” which James metaphorically calls the “twelve tribes” of the dispersion. According to Paul, the new converts are all the children of Abraham by faith. Thus, it includes all the redeemed who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile.

“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7).

It logically follows that the Epistle of James is addressed to Christian believers everywhere and for all time.

Response

Lord God, thank you for including me in the Israel of God by your grace through faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ your Son. I praise you as a citizen of your heavenly kingdom. Amen.

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