Tag Archives: follower of Jesus

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

13 Sunday Sep 2026

Posted by in James

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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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Let Us Go to the House of the LORD

10 Monday Oct 2022

Posted by in Psalm 122

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Psalm 122_1
Reading: Psalm 122

Father God,
we pray for your peace—
the shalom of God.
May your peace come to Jerusalem,
and to all of Israel,
and especially to all the followers of your dear son,
Jesus, the living Christ.
Amen.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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Please pray for the people of Ukraine!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild, and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here. 

Your Enemies Growl

02 Monday May 2022

Posted by in Psalm 83

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Reading: Psalm 83:1-8
A psalm of Asaph.
O God, do not remain silent;
    do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God.
See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads.
With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.
“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you—
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,
Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants (NIV).*

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Photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Do you have enemies? Ancient Israel certainly did. Here in Psalm 83, Asaph lists ten traditional enemies of Israel. The psalmist clearly states the objective of these foreign powers. Their objective was the annihilation of Israel as a nation. “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”

In the spiritual realm every born-again follower of Jesus has a host of enemies who are trying to tear him down and annihilate his or her faith. Therefore, St. Paul gives us this advice:  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Though they may not have a physical form, our enemies are real. The trap called pornography is real. The idolatrous nature of greed is real. The crippling effects of resentment and bitterness are real. These sins and the demonic forces that continually prompt us to disobey God are real. They are constantly working to annihilate our faith.

Our enemies growl and like cobras they rear their heads to strike. But in our hour of need, if we call out to God, He will not stand aloof. He will deliver us. Lord, teach us to pray. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Response: LORD God, we have a powerful opponent, but we have victory through your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. I call on your awesome name. Give me victory over sin and the forces of evil that are out to destroy my life. My strength is in you. Amen.

Your Turn: Can you identify the sins and snares the enemy has set for you? Are there patterns of behavior that trigger defeat?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Please pray for the people of Ukraine!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award and for those who love God’s word, it’s an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.