Tag Archives: Holy Spirt

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

11 Sunday Oct 2026

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Day 11: Quick to Listen—Slow to Speak

My dear friends,
you should be quick to listen
and slow to speak or to get angry.
If you are angry,
you cannot do any of the good things God wants done. 
(James 1:19-20, CEV)

Reflection

We live in an angry world. To some extent this has always been the case, but in recent years anger and division have intensified. Why is this so? The simple answer is social media. The algorithms reward anger, outrage, and hate. And there is no need to hold back. We can spew our bile and indignation anonymously.

In addition, these social media algorithms can shield us from hearing other viewpoints—contrary viewpoints. We are fed a steady diet of news and opinions that re-enforce our existing perspective. So rather than opening us to the wider world, this technology can make our world narrower. We become less tolerant of others, and more self-centered.

Into this fractured world James speaks:

My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry (James 1:19, CEV).

Am I quick to listen? Not always. All too often I do the exact opposite of this verse. I am slow to listen and quick to get angry. My short fuse demonstrates my self-centeredness, and my reluctance to listen may reveal my low opinion of others.

Good listening is a skill of immeasurable worth. It shows we value others. Marriages breakdown when partners stop listening to one another. Social cohesion and national cohesion break down in the same way. And when listening breaks down anger follows.

Our anger can thwart the plans and purposes of God for our lives and the lives of others. James makes this truth clear with these words:

If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things God wants done (James 1:20, CEV).

The New International Version translates this verse as follows: human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:20, NIV). In other words, our angry outbursts short circuit the purposes of God. Knowing this should cause us to temper our temper.

Finally, we need to listen with more than our ears. You and I need to listen with our hearts. Often beneath the angry words beats a wounded heart crying out to be heard.

Let’s be good listeners today.

Response

Lord God, I acknowledge that I need to become a better listener. Help me to honor those around me by truly hearing what they have to say. Help me to avoid lashing out in anger. Lord, you are patient with me. Help me be patient with others. Holy Spirit, guide me. Amen.

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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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We Can Draw Close

29 Wednesday Apr 2026

Posted by in Psalm 61, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading:  Psalm 61 (NIV)*

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
Hear my cry, O God;
    listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
For you, God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Increase the days of the king’s life,
    his years for many generations.
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
    and fulfill my vows day after day.

Reflection

When I reflect on Psalm 61, it’s about distance—distance to God. There’s an old saying that goes like this, “If at one time you were close to God, but now He is far away, who is the one who moved?”

As is so often the case, this psalm begins with David crying out to God. It would seem David is not at home. He is calling out from the ends of the earth. From biblical history we know David was not a world traveller. He never ventured beyond the traditional territory of Israel, so in this psalm where exactly are the ends of the earth?

If I have offended my wife and the issue has not been resolved, we can be sleeping in the same bed, but there is a distance between us. Though she is physically present there is a gulf between us. Spiritually and emotionally, we are on opposite sides of the planet. For that night I’m on the other end of the earth.

The same can be true of our relationship with God. God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth is always close at hand. He is present and evident in His creation. But beyond that, He has promised to dwell within every believer. We have Jesus’ promise on this. “The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you” (John 14:17 CEV).

That means we can call out to God with confidence. He is more than nearby; He is within us helping to form the words of our prayers. We can draw close. David reminds us that we can take refuge in the shelter of your wings (v. 6).

Response

LORD God, help me to draw near to you. Thank you for the indwelling Holy Spirit. You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Amen.

Your Turn

What creates distance between you and God? What draws you close? Draw close today.

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

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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.