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Christians are supposed to spend consistent time in God’s word. For some reason, we call this our “devotional time”. If I am being honest, I am unsettled with that term. I hear it and I think of The Daily Bread. Now please understand, I appreciate The Daily Bread (if you don’t know what this is, it is a popular daily devotional, often used for reading material in the bathroom). It is brief, biblical and applicational. It serves a purpose for a quick jarring to the soul. A quick recalibration of our affections. But sometimes “quick” is not what we need. A deeper dive into God’s word is crucial to lay a solid foundation, to prepare us for trials, to excite our hearts. 

So again, hear me. I am not bashing devotionals. I just think Christians need to embrace a BOTH/AND not an EITHER/OR approach to studying God’s word. 

Below is an example of how I do “devotions”. There is no “one size fits all” approach. But this is what works for me. 

First, I read the text all the way through. 

James 1:1-11

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Second, I pray for God to help me understand and apply. I break it down a verse or two at a time. I have a section for Observations and a section for Applications. I usually do this with a notepad and pen, not a computer. 

Verse 1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

Observations: 

  • James is the half-brother of Jesus. 
  • He does not name drop.
  • Is there a significance for James saying “Lord” and not just Jesus Christ? 
  • Who are the 12 tribes? 
  • Was the Dispersion a big deal in early church history? Is it mentioned again in the New Testament? 

Applications: 

  • Being the brother of Jesus must have been tough at times.
  • Suffering is the path of every Christian. 
  • This is not my home. I should always feel restless for Heaven, our eternal home. Do I? 
  • Would I just want to be known as a “servant of God”? Is that enough? 

Verses 2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Observations: 

  • Who are “my brothers”?
  • What defines a “trial”? Is any hardship a trial? 
  • WHEN, not IF. 
  • True Christians will experience trials. 
  • If a Christian doesn’t experience trials, are they truly a Christian? 
  • How am I to understand “perfect”? We can’t be perfect in this life. 
  • Is it possible to lack in nothing? 
  • Is joy a daily ideal or just an ideal during suffering? 

Applications: 

  • I struggle with joy in general. 
  • Am I ready to have joy when another trial comes? 
  • Am I growing in maturity? 
  • God is present in trials. 

Verses 5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Observations: 

  • Don’t all of us lack wisdom? 
  • What does it mean to “ask in faith”? 
  • Are all types of doubting sinful? 
  • Asking is okay. God wants us to ask Him. 
  • What is a “double-minded” man? What does that look like? 
  • If you are a “double-minded” man, what steps are necessary to leave this immaturity? 
  • God won’t give you certain things. 

Applications: 

  • Am I growing in wisdom? If not, I lack the proper fear of God. 
  • Do I ask God enough? If I don’t ask, does this mean I am not growing? 
  • Where do I need more wisdom? Family, ministry, parenting, etc.
  • I still don’t completely see the difference between good doubt and bad doubt. I can’t quantify it. 

Verses 9-11

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Observations: 

  • What is a “lowly” brother?
  • Someone who is poor or actually “poor in spirit”? 
  • Who are the “rich”? Just people with money? Or people with power and influence?
  • I will not live forever.
  • The rich are viewed negatively in the bible, most of the time. 
  • How can the “rich” thrive spiritually in their wealth? 
  • What type of “beauty” is James referring to? 
  • Godly beauty doesn’t fade, it grows. 
  • Pursuits are amoral, it depends on the motive. 

Applications: 

  • I don’t think I could handle being super wealthy. I wouldn’t lean on God. 
  • What in this life am I holding onto? 

Conclusion

God cares most about spending time with you. Methods are helpful, but motives are more important to Him. Create space. Ask questions. Pray a lot. You will be surprised at how big, gracious and personal God is. 

Hope this encourages you. Carry on!