James 5 - 2.5.25
Scripture
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! (James 5:9, NIV).
Observation
James is a wonderful book in the New Testament, full of practical advice on how to live a Christian life. In Chapter 1, James tells us that God will give us wisdom if we ask Him, and that God the Father is looking for people who will care for orphans and widows, and who will keep themselves spotless from sin (James 1:5, 1:27). In Chapter 2, we read about how faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 2:26). We need to show our love to the needy by helping the hungry with food, and clothing the one who needs clothes, and demonstrate our faith by living a life that reflects it (James 2:15,16). Most of Chapter 3 is devoted to the crucial need of controlling our tongue and our words (James 3:6). In Chapter 4, he reminds us that friendship with the world is enmity against God (James 4:4). James reminds us not to judge and say cruel things about our brothers and sisters in the Lord. God is our judge, and we are not authorized to condemn each other (James 4:11). In the last chapter which is the text for today’s reading, James brings it all together and tells us that we should pray. The fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much (James 5:16). The prayer of faith heals the sick (James 5:15).
In verse 9, James reminds us that we should not grumble against each other. He reminds us of the serious consequences of grumbling, complaining and judging our fellow-believers. We will be judged if we do that. God, our judge is at that door. The first generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt did not reach the promised land and ended up wandering for forty years, because of their sin of rebellion, complaining and grumbling. The New Testament reminds us to not grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel (1 Cor 10:10).
Gossipping and passing judgement on our fellow-believers is a serious sin in the sight of our Father and opens us to God’s judgement. The Bible asks us “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, they stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand” (Romans 14:4). God is passionate about His servants and He cares about what is spoken about his children. When Miriam spoke against God’s anointed servant Moses, she had to go through severe judgement of becoming leprous till God healed her on Moses’ prayer (Numbers 12:10). When Korah judged Moses, he and his fellow rebels were swallowed by the ground (Numbers 16:32).
James reminds us about the consequence of judging our fellow believers. The Judge is at the door. He is listening. We are opening ourselves to God’s judgement by judging our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus Himself said that in the same way we judge others, we will be judged, and with the measure we use, it will be measured to us (Matthew 7:1-2).
Application
Let us examine ourselves. Are we judgemental to our brothers and sisters? Are we guilty of grumbling and gossipping? If we are, let us repent and ask God to forgive us. God is the judge, and our fellow-Christians are called and appointed by Him. Leave the judgement to Him. Let us judge ourselves, so that we are not judged (1 Cor 11:31). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).
Prayer
Father, I want to thank you for speaking to me today. Forgive me for the times I have grumbled against my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that I have offended you, when I spoke against your children. They are your children, and you are able to make them stand, and you have not appointed me to judge them (Rom 14:4). Forgive me, Lord. Help me to live in a way that pleases you. Your word says that you search the intents and motives of my heart (Jer 17:10, Prov 16:2). Show me if I have self-seeking and selfish ambition which displeases you (James 3:16). Help me to have a heart and attitude that pleases you. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but instead let my words be those that edify and give grace to the hearers (Eph 4:29). Let my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
James 4 - 2.4.25
SCRIPTURE: James 4:6b-8. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
OBSERVATION: James addressed the root problem that many of the so-called Christ-followers were dealing with; pride and arrogance. Their sinful and evil desires reflected the pride that was in their hearts. They were attempting to maintain a “friendship” with the world, and yet be followers of Jesus.
Many of the affluent believers had become so self-centered and arrogant that they were excluding God from their daily activities.
James called them double-minded, and adulterous people. “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred to God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend to the world becomes an enemy of God.” James was referring to the kind of pleasure that kept them from pleasing God.
APPLICATION: The best way for me to get rid of any pride and arrogance in my heart is to humble myself before God, and submit to Him. Pride makes me self-centered, but when I draw near to God, and apply His wisdom, He draws near to me, and purifies my heart as I turn from my sins, and ask for His forgiveness.
PRAYER: I submit myself to You God, and pray that You will help me to imitate Jesus’ example in my day to day relationships with both Christians and non-Christians, and that I will demonstrate the kind of unselfishness, humility, and self-sacrifice that I am only able to do as I love You more than what the world has to offer.
- Robin Orefice
Psalm 3 - 2.3.25
Scripture
Psalms 3:3 NIV
“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”
Observation
This is a psalm of King David expressing his complete trust in God no matter his circumstances. In this passage, King David is surrounded by his enemies. Even his own son, Absalom, is out trying to kill him so he could rule in his dad’s place. Talk about a stressful situation! But, David doesn’t allow any of that stuff to get to him. His eyes are fixed solely on the LORD.
Application
Keeping God on speed dial.
We all face problems in life. I’m not sure if any of us faced problems quite like David here, but nonetheless, we all still face our own problems. The question is how each of us chooses to face our problems. Do we go in full panic mode and totally freak out?! Or maybe we go in full denial mode and try to hope our problems “magically” go away? Who do we turn to when these problems arise?
I want to encourage everyone out there to handle those problems the way King David did here in this psalm. You see, David knew God was BIGGER than any of his problems. David didn’t allow fear to take hold of him no matter how many enemies he was facing-(verse 6). David knew all he had to do was cry out to God and God would hear his voice-(verses 4 & 7). David had confidence that his salvation comes from the LORD-(verse 8).
So if anything is bringing you down, cry out to God for help. Don’t make it a last resort! Put God # 1 in your speed dial for everything. He would love to hear from you and He is never too busy to take your call.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. You are always willing to “take my call”, and are never too busy for me. God, nothing is too small or too big for You to handle. You are sovereign in every way. May I continue, and may our church continue, to implement the discipline we attained these past 28 days, and seek You first in everything. May we carry the confidence that David had in this passage, that no matter what problems we face, You oh God, are our shield and salvation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi