Tues 7th July – Read James 5:4-6 V4:Now he speaks of the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable by the rich landowners for whom they labour – a frequent theme of OT prophets, who cry out against this evil in Israel. (See Ezekiel 22:29; Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5) In many ways James’ Jewish heritage, and…

Mon 6th July  –  Read James 5:1 -3 V1-3: James again speaks very starkly to the rich, who put their trust and confidence in earthly possessions. These things will all fail them and leave them with nothing on which they can rely for eternity. All earthly things are ultimately corruptible, and all who trust in…

Sat 4th July  –  Read James 4:16-17 V16:  Again in stark terms, James rebukes the arrogance of boasting about our own plans and our ability to fulfil them. We might wonder if he is addressing believers in such terms – may even ask if this is a circular letter sent to a wide range of locations,…

Fri 3rd July  –  Read James 4:13-15 V13-14:  In what seems an abrupt shift of focus – though still the underlying emphasis is a rebuke to pride and presumption – James now warns against regarding our own plans and desires for the future (” tomorrow”) as sure and certain. We do not know what tomorrow will…

Thurs 2nd July – Read James 4:11-12 V11: Again, believers are warned against ” bad-mouthing” one another – in any way. For how easily we may yield to this temptation in so many forms. This is, in effect, to say we have the right to judge others, see ourselves as superior to them. To do…

Wed 1st July – Read James 4:7-10 V7: To submit to God is willingly to give Him the obedience of our hearts, which is His due, to seek to do His will, not our own. Equally we are to “resist the Devil” and his temptations, and if we do we are told he will “flee…

Tues 30th June  –  Read James 4:4-6: V4: Spiritual adultery – often God’s charge against His people in the OT – is professing to know and serve God while letting other things have the place in our hearts and lives that should be His alone. In OT Israel’s case it sometimes meant literally serving ” other…

Mon 29th June – Read James 4:1-3 V1:  James is concerned about division and – apparently – bitter dissention among those he writes to. He seems to feel this is a widespread problem. Remember this is a circular letter to various groups. It is certainly something we must always guard against – Satan loves to divide believers…

Sat 27th June –  Read James 3:17-18 V17: In blessed contrast, he turns to ” the wisdom from above”, the wisdom God gives to those who truly ask Him (again, James 1:5.) Such wisdom, in its effect and fruit in our lives is pure, and shows all the characteristics declared in this verse. We see…

Fri 26th June – Read James 3:15-16 V15: Such lives are far from the godly wisdom he is speaking of – rather they respond to the very opposite impulses, following the way of the world, – a broken world, estranged from God -(“earthly, unspiritual”) – but more, yielding to Satan’s temptations, and so “demonic”, inspired…