Every Day Devotion

James 4:1 [1] What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (ESV) There is a story told of a church quarrel that went something like this: "The business meeting at First Baptist was well into its second hour. It had been another cantankerous one. Lots of angry comments, snide remarks, and power plays. And, making it especially sad, the issue on the table wasn’t even an important one. The debate was over a relatively minor recent change to the church’s worship service. Finally, one of the older members stood. He paused for a moment, looking down at his feet, thinking about how exactly to share what he was thinking. Several members shifted in their seats waiting on the old man to finally speak. At last, he did. “Who, in hell, cares?” he said. A couple of the ladies gasped at what they thought he’d said. He continued, “Don’t mishear me. I didn’t just use vulgar language. I asked a question. Who, in hell,...

James 3:18 [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (ESV) I am not a good farmer. In fact, while some have a green thumb, I like to say that I have a black thumb. While I am not a good farmer I do know a little about it. Very little. I know two basic principles that apply to what James is talking about in this verse. He is speaking of reaping a harvest of righteousness. In order for us to have the proper harvest there are two things that I know for certain. If you want to reap a certain type of plant you must plant the right seed. The other thing I know is that if you do not care for what you have planted it will not yield what you want because weeds will also grow around it and choke it out. Let's consider the seeds. It seems to be a no-brainer that you must plant the right seeds. The harvest that James is talking about is righteousness. Where many fail is that they think that their own righteousness will turn into God's righteous...

James 3:17 [17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (ESV) Every church has them. Some have council meetings. Others have deacons meetings. There are congregational meetings. Committee meetings. All kinds of people show up at these meetings. I am sure that the goal in these meetings is to share wisdom from all the different parties involved and come up with workable solutions to problems or challenges in the church. If you have ever been in one of those meetings I want you to think about the last meeting you were in. Would you describe the wisdom that came from your meeting in this way:  "The wisdom from my meeting I attended was pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."? I would love to think that everyone who has been in a church meeting would describe them the way James describes God's wisdom. But I know ...

James 3:16 [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (ESV) I love fish aquariums. From time to time I have had various kinds of tropical fish of many different varieties. I love angel fish. I love cichlids. Both of these varieties of fish have inherent beauty. They grow to a fairly large size also. As much as I love them both I have discovered something. They cannot both be in the same tank. Cichlids will eat angel fish. At the very least they will harass them until they die. So, I now know from experience that I either have a tank with cichlids only, or I have a tank with other fish, like angel fish, and no cichlids. Cichlids do not play nice with other fish. The only fish I can put with cichlids is other cichlids. So, what does a fish tank have to do with today's verse? Imagine the body of Christ like a huge aquarium. The outside world is watching. They are hoping to see us behaving in cooperative ways like t...

James 3:15 [15] This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (ESV) There are two kinds of wisdom. There is wisdom that has its source in God. It is meek. It is not loud and self-serving. It is not boastful. It is pure. The results of that wisdom is evidenced by godly conduct. God's people who truly have wisdom that they received from God demonstrate that wisdom with godly character. Today's verse describes the other kind of wisdom. Earthly wisdom. Before going further, consider the wisdom that you commonly hear in our world. The wisdom of man has produced doctors attempting to convince us that slaughtering a child in a mother's womb is a woman's right. Man's wisdom has produced a view of cosmology that is absent of God's existence. Humanistic philosophy has been behind mass genocide and torture of millions. Earthly wisdom is not really wisdom at all. James describes earthly wisdom as unspiritual and demonic. ...

James 3:14 [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. (ESV) Knowledge is a dangerous thing. It is something that we are instructed to grow in. We are to pursue knowledge of the Word of God. We are to seek after Jesus Christ, growing in our knowledge of him. Knowledge, if used properly can help us to more effectively live our lives for Jesus Christ. If we used knowledge improperly we can destroy ourselves and those whom we come in contact with. Let's take a look at the previous verse. It will help us to put today's verse in context. James 3:13 [13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (ESV) Those who are wise and understanding are to use what they have learned in meekness. Their good conduct will show that their heart is in the right place. In today's verse James offers a warning that if we have bitter jealousy and self...

James 3:13 [13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (ESV) When I was a child I used to love to watch the Three Stooges. They would have to be the definition of the opposite of wisdom. Every foolish blunder was funny to watch. The foolish things they did, however, did not just affect the one making the mistake. Each of them were affected by the foolish deeds of the others. James is talking to the church. He is promoting the idea of being wise and understanding. In a church situation wisdom and understanding is vital, yet in many ways it is lacking. Some people have titles of authority, yet they use it to bully others. Instead of acting godly, some people in the church treat others like Mo treated Larry and Curly. Who is wise and understanding? It should be shown by their good conduct. James makes the point that wisdom is not something that someone should just hold within themselves, while they quiet...