Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
We're forgiven and accepted by grace. But what we do really matters. It is the proof of whether we've truly believed. As James puts it: "Faith without deeds is dead" (2v26). And so he urges his hearers to act without favouritism by treating rich and poor alike, and caring for the needy. He then moves to speech, stressing that we can't praise God one moment only to curse those made in his image the next. Such things imply that we are not wholly the Lord's. It all resonates with Jesus' example as the one who drew alongside the downtrodden, and his teaching that out of the heart the mouth speaks. As you read note the reasons James gives for what he says.
James 2:1-3:12
James 2:1-3:12
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.