DATE POSTED
Sunday, January 26, 2025, and I was blessed to be in Kyle, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Good News Translation (GNT) and found in James 2:14-26 (Click to open and read)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I maintain that the Word of God is all sufficient and covers every aspect of life for which we need help, comfort or direction. It is amazing, dear friends! But less we become confused, or should we totally misunderstand what James is teaching us here, perhaps we should look at a few real-life examples. Such as: If a man and woman marries and the man continues his life-long hobbies with his buddies, leaving very little time to spend with his new wife, will that marriage survive? I doubt it! Plus, if family and friends never see the couple together, or either of them showing affection towards each other, or lovingly doing things for each other, will others ever believe that they are married? I doubt it. If your friends heard that you are a fisherman, but they notice that you don’t own a boat, or you never go out fishing, or never sell seafood, will they ever believe you are a fisherman? I doubt it. So it is with Christianity my friends, and I believe that this is what James wanted to draw our attention to. Christian loved ones will probably drive us to attend church with them, and we may get caught up in the charisma and excitement of the preaching or the exceptional worship team, and we may walk the isle to impress our friends and/or the pastor. An elder may pray over us, but what difference does it make in our lives on Monday morning? In God’s Word we are told that we are to leave behind the things of this world and follow Christ. That tells me that we are to make a 180 degree turn from the things we once did, for the things, and teachings, of Jesus Christ is always opposite to that the world, or its leader, Satan, would lead us to do. When this change is not noticed by those who know you, then James is teaching us to go back to square one and make sure that we are saved. When we surrender lordship of our lives to Jesus Christ, we become a band new man, or woman, for our lifestyle changes, our vocabulary changes, we become a helpful person who loves God’s children and want to lead them to the Savior we love. These things are quite the opposite to the old ridiculing, persecuting, selfish, greedy, hateful personal we once were. But unless we totally miss the point, we must pay close attention to verses 23-24 where James uses the example of Abraham. For many will look at the self-controlled man that Abraham was when he followed the instructions of God to take his son with him up to the place of sacrifice, then build a fire, and then place his very son on the wood altar as a sacrifice. Friends, that took guts, so we may tend to believe that anyone who is so strong, they must be a born again Christian. But for those of us who look to the Bible for it’s full instruction, we will remember that in Genesis 15:6 the Word tells us that ‘Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith’. So I believe the Bible is clear in presenting you with a million dollar question today: ‘Have you believed in the Son of God?’. If you haven’t, then I believe James is teaching us to recognize that we are only spinning our wheels with our church attendance, giving generously to the work of the church, being kind to the widow down the street who always respects you, etc. Instead, dear friends, take the Word of God seriously and believe that Jesus died and rose again for all mankind, knowing that those who believe in Him will not perish, but will enjoy eternal life in glory with He and the Father! Believe, commit, enjoy and obey the Word of God dear friends, and your actions and intents will be known to God and those around you. He has prepared a place for you in heaven, but you must prepare for that gift of eternal life today, while here on earth. Be sure that you take the Bible seriously dear friends and be obedient to its teachings.

PRAYER
Thank you precious Lord for Your sacrifice and the gift that You offer to those who believe in You. Every time we listen in to the news we hear nothing but trouble and strife, and these are not from You. James reminded us today that Abraham believe in God and he was saved – gifted with eternal life in heaven. Please help us to be obedient children and believe on the name of Jesus to receive the gift of eternal life, as the Bible teaches in John 3:16. James helps us to reflect on the seriousness of our commitment to You by honestly reviewing our actions for the proof of who has lordship over us. God knows all things – even to our innermost thoughts, so He knows where we stand. Oh that He may invoke to us a strong sense of where we are spiritually, so that we can sing praises to You or strengthen our petitions before You today, God being our Helper and Guide. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!