The Book of James
A 10 day devotional series on thriving and surviving this Thanksgiving break
Day 2
Read: James 1:19-27
Devo: We can all agree that this is a time of social, political, and relational division. Is it even possible to navigate conversation with family and friends about the cultural climate without offending or angering one another? Let us turn our gaze to scripture to guide the way that we handle these conversations over Thanksgiving break. Simply put, James advises us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. But, you may be thinking this is much easier said than done. Theologians believe James to be one of Jesus’ brothers; however, James was a skeptic and didn’t profess Jesus as the son of God until after Jesus’s crucifixion. Can you imagine trying to manage the differing opinions between these brothers in this household? In fact, John 7: 1-4 describes a time that Jesus’s brother’s mock Him. Even still, Jesus continues to model these principles of wisdom. Isn’t it amazing that even while on the cross, in the most extreme moment of conflict, Jesus chooses his words wisely and intentionally to bring peace instead of stirring up conflict!
Process with the Lord through the journaling questions!
Pray: Lord, would you forgive me for the times that I have been a listener of your word but not a doer of your word. Please, give me patience with others this week- that I may respond intentionally to give grace to those around me even in moments of tense conflict (Eph esians 4:29).
Devo: We can all agree that this is a time of social, political, and relational division. Is it even possible to navigate conversation with family and friends about the cultural climate without offending or angering one another? Let us turn our gaze to scripture to guide the way that we handle these conversations over Thanksgiving break. Simply put, James advises us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. But, you may be thinking this is much easier said than done. Theologians believe James to be one of Jesus’ brothers; however, James was a skeptic and didn’t profess Jesus as the son of God until after Jesus’s crucifixion. Can you imagine trying to manage the differing opinions between these brothers in this household? In fact, John 7: 1-4 describes a time that Jesus’s brother’s mock Him. Even still, Jesus continues to model these principles of wisdom. Isn’t it amazing that even while on the cross, in the most extreme moment of conflict, Jesus chooses his words wisely and intentionally to bring peace instead of stirring up conflict!
Process with the Lord through the journaling questions!
Pray: Lord, would you forgive me for the times that I have been a listener of your word but not a doer of your word. Please, give me patience with others this week- that I may respond intentionally to give grace to those around me even in moments of tense conflict (Eph esians 4:29).