Feasting on God's Word (One Year Bible)

James' attack on " dead faith" (G. C. Berkouwer, Faith and Justification , 137) and his protest for faith as "a truly experienced reality" (136), which dominates the whole of life, does not conflict with Paul who speaks against the works of the law but not against the works of faith.

James 1:1-27 Lord, there seems to be nothing but hard times. What are we to do? We turn to You. We ask You, “Lord, what are You teaching us?” You’re teaching us to trust You. You’re teaching us to be changed by You. Even when everything seems so hard, help us to pray, “Your will be done.” James 2:1-26 The world says one thing. Your Word says something else. Who are we to listen to? We know what our answer should be – but it’s not always the answer that we give to You. You’re speaking to us – and we’re not listening. Help us, Lord, to listen to You, to hear what Your Word is saying to us, and to become “rich in faith” (James 2:5). James 3:1-4:12 Lord, our words can be so fiery. We speak first – and think later. Help us, Lord, to be fired up by another fire – the fire of the Holy Spirit. Help us to speak with wisdom – “the wisdom that comes from above” (James 3:17-18). James 4:13-5:20 What’s going to happen next? We worry about things that might never happen. ...

“You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2) - This is a call to prayer. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3) - This is a call to seek God's glory.

"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20). It is a great thing to rejoice in God's salvation. We give thanks for the truth upon which our salvation rests. As well as rejoicing in God's salvation and standing upon His truth, we must also speak directly to those who have wandered from the truth, calling upon them to turn from the error of their ways. Turning "a sinner from the error of his way" - we don't hear much of this kind of talk nowadays. People like to hear the Good News of salvation. They like to be assured of the truth of God's Word. If, however, our teaching regarding the Good News of salvation and the truth of God's Word are to have real depth, we must speak forthrightly about turning "a sinner from the error of his way....

The Problem - "if one of you should wander from the truth" The Returning - "if ... someone should bring him back" The Blessing - "Whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Does God have a message of hope for those who have wandered away from Him? - Yes! He speaks with truth concerning our sin, and He speaks with love concerning His salvation. "Seek t  he Lord while He may be found; Call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). What blessing is given to those who return to the Lord! There was sin and guilt. Now, there is the forgiveness of sin. There was death.  Now, there is life: new life - life with a new sense of meaning, purpose and direction; eternal life - life with the Lord in the everlasting g...

The prophecy spoken by Ezekiel has its ultimate Source in God Himself - “the hand of the Lord was upon me” ( Ezekiel 40:1 ). He goes on to describe “visions of God” ( Ezekiel 40:2 ). To speak the Word of God faithfully requires patience. There is not always evidence of great blessing. Nevertheless, we must be faithful like “the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord” ( James 5:12 ). Such ministry is to be accompanied by prayer - “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” ( James 5:16 ). The prayer and preaching are to be directed towards bringing men and women back to the Lord from whom they have wandered away ( James 5:19-20 ). There is blessing for those who lead others  back to the Lord. 

God’s Word speaks of His judgment upon sin ( Ezekiel 39:23-24 ). It also speaks of His great salvation from sin ( Ezekiel 39:25-29 ). “Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” ( James 4:6 ). God’s Word speaks of the choice placed before man - obedience or disobedience, blessing or judgment ( Proverbs 28:13-14 ).

The Breath of God (the Spirit of God) brings life ( Ezekiel 37:9 ). When “the tongue ... is ... set on fire by hell” ( James 3:6 ), the words which it breathes out will be “full of deadly poison” ( James 3:8 ). How important it is that we keep on praying, “Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew.” If the Breath of God is not sweeping through our lives, we will be blown here and there by every wind of doctrine, by “restless evil” which goes from one false doctrine to another, never content to settle upon the stability of God’s Word. There is a blessing of the Lord for those who love Him - “The blessing of the Lord be upon you; we bless you in the Name of the Lord” ( Psalm 129:8 ). This blessing will not be given to those who turn away from the Lord - “May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame” ( Psalm 129:5 ).

The Word of God speaks clearly about sin and judgment - “See, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep” ( Ezekiel 34:20 ), “judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” ( James 2:13 ). God’s Word also gives to us great promises. They are promises of mercy: “Mercy triumphs over judgment” ( James 2:13 ). They are promises of blessing: “There will be showers of blessing” ( Ezekiel 34:26 ). If we are to enjoy the Lord’s blessing, we must fear Him and walk in His ways: “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways” ( Psalm 128:1 ). 

God’s Word must be spoken as a Word which calls for response. The prophet is to “warn the wicked man to turn from his ways” ( Ezekiel 33:9 ). He is to declare that “the Sovereign Lord ... takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” The prophet is to say, “Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel ” ( Ezekiel 33:11 ). If God’s Word is to be received as a Word of salvation, it must be “humbly accepted.” We must “not merely listen to the Word.” We are to “do what it says” ( James 1:21-22 ). Our “house” must be built on the Lord ( Psalm 127:1 ). This is the way of wisdom, the way of building on the Rock, which is God Himself. When the storms of life become very testing, those who have built their lives upon the Lord will not collapse - “They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate” ( Psalm 127:5 ). God’s Word promises blessing to those who r...

Day 320 Ezekiel 32:1-33:20 ; James 1:1-27 ; Psalm 127:1-5 God’s Word must be spoken as a Word which calls for response. The prophet is to “warn the wicked man to turn from his ways” ( Ezekiel 33:9 ). He is to declare that “the Sovereign Lord ... takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” The prophet is to say, “Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel ” ( Ezekiel 33:11 ). If God’s Word is to be received as a Word of salvation, it must be “humbly accepted.” We must “not merely listen to the Word.” We are to “do what it says” ( James 1:21-22 ). Our “house” must be built on the Lord ( Psalm 127:1 ). This is the way of wisdom, the way of building on the Rock, which is God Himself. When the storms of life become very testing, those who have built their lives upon the Lord will not collapse - “They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate” ( Psalm 127...