Tag Archives: image of God

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

08 Sunday Nov 2026

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Day 15: Useless Religion

 If you think you are being religious,
but can’t control your tongue,
you are fooling yourself, and your religion is useless.
(James 1:26, CEV)

Reflection

What ability or skill sets you and I apart from all the other creatures in God’s magnificent creation? Is it our speed, our strength, our dexterity, or problem-solving skills? No, there are other creatures that have these skills in abundance. The skill that is uniquely human is our ability to use language. We rule creation with our tongue, and because of our tongue.

We are created in the image of God. (See Genesis 1:27. But what makes us like God? It’s our creative ability to speak—to use language just as God does. God spoke and the world as we know it came into being. 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

Furthermore, we know that Jesus is the Word incarnate. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind (John 1:3-4).

All this has profound implications for how we should live our lives as children of God. If there is creative power in the spoken Word of God, then as God’s children—His image bearers—there is power in our words as well. Our words have both creative power and destructive power. This is why James penned this statement:  

If you think you are being religious, but can’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is useless. (James 1:26, CEV)

What is James telling us with these words? He is making it crystal clear that words are at the heart of our religion, and by the term religion, he means our entire belief system.

And where did James get this understand about the importance of our words? He got it directly from Jesus, his half-brother, the Word incarnate, who said, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).

Your eternal destiny will be determined by your words as you use your tongue to confess your faith in the risen Christ. (See Romans 10:9-10.)

Response

Father God, help me to grasp the importance of the words that I speak. Guide my thoughts because “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). Give me the wisdom to control my words according to your will. Amen.

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Cursing in His Bones

27 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 109:16-20 (NIV)*

For he never thought of doing a kindness,
 but hounded to death the poor
and the needy and the brokenhearted.
He loved to pronounce a curse—
    may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
    may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
    it entered into his body like water,
    into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
    like a belt tied forever around him.
 May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers,
    to those who speak evil of me.

Reflection

In just a few weeks we will be entered the giving season. I am of course referring to the pre-Christmas shopping binge, when gifts are purchased, wrapped, and hidden away for the big celebration. Many rail against this tradition, but in reality, the Scriptures are filled with admonitions that encourage us to be generous and bless others. Christmas and year-end provide us with wonderful opportunities to do just that. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

If we find no pleasure in giving, we may be suffering from more than a simple case of Scrooge-like stinginess. Soul sucking self-centeredness destroys us from within. It defaces the image of God that is stamped upon us from birth. God our heavenly Father is the picture of generosity. He gave His only Son for us. In light of this sacrifice, there’s something terribly wrong if we can’t spare a dime or a kind word for the less fortunate. Generosity is never out of season.

Today’s reading provides us with a negative contrast to the generosity of God. The individual being described withheld his blessing. He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him (v. 17).

How generous am I with words of encouragement, praise, and blessing? How generous am I with this world’s goods that have been lavished on me by a gracious Father? Now and in the pre-Christmas season I need to check my heart and my bank account, but above all my heart. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Am I generous with words of praise and thanks for those around me—with the clerk at the shopping mall or the life partner who shares my bed? Am I reflecting or defacing the image of God?

Response

Father God, today I want to be a blessing and pronounce a blessing on those around me. I am thankful for the generosity of your love, forgiveness, and grace. It’s more than I deserve. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you too tight fisted or too lavish with your giving? What provokes you to be generous?

Sacred Word Worship’s Rendition of Psalm 109

Psalm 109 (KJV Lyrics) | Sacred Word Worship – YouTube

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

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

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.


Generosity Is Never out of Season

12 Friday Aug 2022

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 109:16-20
For he never thought of doing a kindness,
but hounded to death the poor
and the needy and the brokenhearted.
He loved to pronounce a curse—
may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
it entered into his body like water,
into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
like a belt tied forever around him.
May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers,
to those who speak evil of me (NIV).*

img_20220802_1954167

Rainbow on my brother’s farm — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
In just a few months we will be entered the giving season. I am of course referring to the pre-Christmas shopping binge, when gifts are purchased, wrapped and hidden away for the big celebration. Many rail against this tradition, but in reality the scriptures are filled with admonitions that encourage us to be generous and bless others. Christmas and year-end provide us with wonderful opportunities to do just that. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

If we find no pleasure in giving, we may be suffering from more than a simple case of Scrooge-like stinginess. Soul sucking self-centeredness destroys us from within. It defaces the image of God that is stamped upon us from birth. God our heavenly Father is the picture of generosity. He gave His only Son for us. In light of this sacrifice, there’s something terribly wrong if we can’t spare a dime or a kind word for the less fortunate. Generosity is never out of season.

Today’s reading provides us with a negative contrast to the generosity of God. The individual being described withheld his blessing. He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him.

How generous am I with words of encouragement, praise and blessing? How generous am I with this world’s goods that have been lavished on me by a gracious Father? Now and in the pre-Christmas season I need to check my heart and my bank account, but above all my heart. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Am I generous with words of praise and thanks for those around me—with the clerk at the shopping mall or the life partner who shares my bed? Am I reflecting or defacing the image of God?

Response: Father God, today I want to be a blessing and pronounce a blessing on those around me. I am thankful for the generosity of your love, forgiveness, and grace. It’s more than I deserve. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you too tight fisted or too lavish with your giving? How do you determine to whom and to what causes you will give?

* 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.

No Pleasure in Giving?

15 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 109
(Verses 16-20)
For he never thought of doing a kindness,
but hounded to death the poor
and the needy and the brokenhearted.
He loved to pronounce a curse—
may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
it entered into his body like water,
into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
like a belt tied forever around him.
May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers,
to those who speak evil of me (NIV).*

person s holds brown gift box

Photo by Kim Stiver on Pexels.com

Reflection
A few months have passed since the giving season. I am of course referring to the Christmas shopping binge, when gifts are purchased, wrapped and hidden away for the big celebration. Many rail against this tradition, but in reality the scriptures are filled with admonitions that encourage us to be generous and bless others. Christmas and year-end provide us with wonderful opportunities to do just that. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

If we find no pleasure in giving, we may be suffering from more than a simple case of Scrooge-like stinginess. Soul sucking self-centeredness destroys us from within. It defaces the image of God that is stamped upon us from birth. God our heavenly Father is the picture of generosity. He gave His only Son for us. In light of this sacrifice, there’s something terribly wrong if we can’t spare a dollar or a kind word for the less fortunate. Generosity is never out of season.

Today’s reading provides us with a negative contrast to the generosity of God. The individual being described withheld his blessing. He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him.

How generous am I with words of encouragement, praise and blessing? How generous am I with this world’s goods that have been lavished on me by a gracious Father? Throughout the year, and in the Christmas season, I need to check my heart and my bank account, but above all my heart. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Am I generous with words of praise and thanks for those around me—with the clerk at the shopping mall or the life partner who shares my bed? Am I reflecting or defacing the image of God?

Response: Father God, today I want to be a blessing and pronounce a blessing on those around me. I am thankful for the generosity of your love, forgiveness and grace. It’s more than I deserve. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you too tight fisted or too lavish with your giving? In some form, let’s do some giving today.

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.

What does God look like?

28 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 34, Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 34

(Verses 15-18)
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the broken-hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit (NIV).

Reflection
In the previous post on Psalm 34 I asked the question, “How do we God?” Remember David invites us in Psalm 34:8 to “Taste and see that the LORD is good.”

2017-08-09i

Wooden horses, Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, Quebec — photo by David Kitz

As this psalm continues David again invites us to take a closer look at God. He reminds us that, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil to blot out their name from the earth.”

In this passage David depicts the LORD as having eyes, ears and a face. I always have trouble picturing God. This inability does not stem from a lack of imagination. It comes from the knowledge that God is a spirit. How do you picture something that has no physical substance or form?

But picturing God comes with further difficulties. We are specifically forbidden to create an image or likeness of God. The God of the Hebrews sat on the Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant between two cherubim. But there was no image or statue there. To create an image or statue would be blasphemous. For that reason I find Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel offensive. I am not offended by the depiction of a naked Adam. I’m offended by the portrayal of an old grey-haired man as God. How dare he create an image of God? I am similarly troubled by any artistic rendering of God the Father. God is so far beyond human that to render Him as having a human form demeans His Majesty.

But that’s what makes the incarnation so spectacular. This God of no fixed form took on material reality. In the person of Jesus, He became a man with eyes, ears and a human face. The God who sees all and hears all limited himself to a human body. The Creator took on the form and limitations of a creature—limitations that encompass betrayal, pain and death. In the body of Jesus, the Creator God, who sees and hears, experienced our reality—our humanity.

The psalmist, David declares, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted because in the form of Christ his heart was broken. He experienced the pain that touches you and more. His eyes are on you. He is listening when you cry out.

Response: Hear my prayer, Lord. I seek your face. Be my healer, my redeemer and deliverer. In Jesus’ name, who defeated death, I pray. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a picture of God? How does God look to you?

No Pleasure in Blessing?

29 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Psalm 109, Psalms

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Reading:                                        Psalm 109                                                                 

 (Verses 16-20)

For he never thought of doing a kindness,
but hounded to death the poor
and the needy and the brokenhearted.
He loved to pronounce a curse—
may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
it entered into his body like water,
into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
like a belt tied forever around him.

 May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers,
to those who speak evil of me (NIV).

Reflection

Perhaps you have noticed that we have entered the giving season. I am of course referring to the pre-Christmas shopping binge, when gifts are purchased, wrapped and hidden away for the big celebration. Many rail against this tradition, but in reality the scriptures are filled with admonitions that encourage us to be generous and bless others. Christmas and year-end provide us with wonderful opportunities to do just that. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

img_20160718_171519

Twin blessings, day lilies — photo by David Kitz

If we find no pleasure in giving, we may be suffering from more than a simple case of Scrooge-like stinginess. Soul sucking self-centeredness destroys us from within. It defaces the image of God that is stamped upon us from birth. God our heavenly Father is the picture of generosity. He gave His only Son for us. In light of this sacrifice, there’s something terribly wrong if we can’t spare a dime or a kind word for the less fortunate.

Today’s reading provides us with a negative contrast to the generosity of God. The individual being described withheld his blessing. He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him.

How generous am I with words of blessing? How generous am I with this world’s goods that have been lavished on me by a gracious Father? During this season I need to check my heart and my bank account, but above all my heart. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Am I generous with words of praise and thanks for those around me—with the clerk at the shopping mall or the life partner who shares my bed? Am I reflecting or defacing the image of God?

Response: Father God, today I want to be a blessing and pronounce a blessing on those around me. I am thankful for the generosity of your love, forgiveness and grace. It’s more than I deserve. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you careful or too lavish with your spending in the Christmas season?