Devotional Vol. 1
“Joy In The Midst of Trials” James 1:2-18
If you’re anything like me, considering trials and tribulation as a good thing feels a bit like denial. If there are going to be surprises in my life I tend to want them to be only good things, and I want my efforts and hard work to be rewarded in neat and succinct ways much like a scientific equation of cause and effect. But that’s not what happens most of the time, and I’m learning that it’s probably a good thing in the long run. In James chapter one it says, “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Paul goes one further discussing the problem of pain in Romans saying, “…we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. That kind of hope is only possible through the Holy Spirit, and it’s what we are so desperately longing for in this culture. The problem with our mindset is that we are “instant results” people and this kind of hard earned hope is not something most of us run to, but I’m learning, there truly are no shortcuts.

Devotional Vol. 2
“A Life Of Faith” James 2:14-26
How are we supposed to reconcile the apparent contradiction between the apostle Paul’s ‘salvation by faith alone’ teaching in Romans and James’ statement ‘…a person is justified by what he does and not faith alone’? Faith without works is not true faith at all. It starts with faith and then our lives begin to change as faith inspires good works as a natural outpouring of the Spirit. James simply takes Paul’s teaching on faith one step further arguing that without works to demonstrate faith there is no true faith. As fallen people we constantly try to put works first and faith second because it’s easier to judge and control things when it’s based on outward deeds. But a life of faith is a life lived in the Spirit and that is not something we can control or dictate, but must surrender to...tough stuff!

Devotional Vol. 3
“Words To Live By” James 3:1-12
It’s so easy to justify what we say, the things that come out of our mouths. We draw comparisons to other people who slander more and gossip more than we do to justify our actions. We use casual excuses, feigning concern to justify slandering remarks used to wound. I am sure that we are all guilty of this at one time or another-I know I am. There is a twisted pleasure we get from delving into this kind of backstabbing…it somehow promises to elevate how we feel about ourselves though it never truly does in a lasting sense. But the damage it does when this kind of talk inevitably comes to light can ravage and destroy. An unkind word spoken off the cuff may mean very little to the perpetrator but the victim tends to go over and over those words and suffer discouragement and anger, breaking apart relationships.

It seems like such a small thing, being careful what you say, but it’s truly imperative to recognize the power of our words to either bless or curse. This chapter in James is a major wake up call.

Devotional Vol. 4
“Careful What You Wish For” book of Hosea / James 4
Wisdom is a scary thing to ask God for. What wisdom reveals is not always what we may want to discover. I heard a sermon recently that really opened up my eyes to how our culture turns almost everything into a distraction and anything that takes the place of God in our lives becomes an idol. Idolatry is a very serious offense to God because He wants our attention and devotion. In the Bible, our relationship with God is often compared to a marriage. It’s a lifelong love commitment to each other and it’s is meant to be exclusive and intimate. When someone breaks that trust by adultery the marriage is devastated. God wants us to be faithful to Him and yet we are seduced and sedated by a world that steals our joy and passion and seeks to destroy us in the process. The best example of this issue in my mind is the book of Hosea. The prophet Hosea marries a woman who is an adulteress by God’s command. Even though Hosea honors her by being a faithful husband, she cheats on him time and time again. Hosea never gives up on her and even buys her back from the pimps who are whoring her out to the highest bidder. This is how God feels when we take his love and grace for granted and live for fleeting pleasures, satisfying only our lusts and desires. There is no easy way to break our addiction to selfishness, greed, and self-gratification, but God gives us the power once we surrender to His love.

Devotional Vol. 5
“Deeper Faith” James 5
"For me it's been all about faith lately. I've been on a year-long journey of learning very specifically to trust in God to provide for my needs. It started a year ago in Guatemala where a missionary challenged me to put myself in a position where I would have to live a life of faith. So I quit my church job and moved out West and began to play my music full-time wherever I could, coffee shops, pubs, youth groups…I lived at friends' houses, slept outside, in a garage for awhile, etc. In the process I re-discovered my love of music and my passion for God…this happened because I woke up in a profound way by having to rely on God very seriously to provide for my needs in a way that was obvious to me. Check out Hebrews chapter 11, it's been the encouragement I've needed because this past year has not been easy and it's been full of risks, financially, professionally, and personally, but God has never failed, and in trusting Him to provide I've learned to love Him more."