New Testament in a Year

James 5:1-20
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we wrap up the book of James.  This has been such a powerful book for me to read these past few days!  I am convicted and challenged by this book, which is wonderful.  Today in chapter 5, verse 5 stands out: “This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.”  This reminds me of the scene at the end of the movie “Schindler’s List” where Oscar Schindler breaks down crying when the war is over – and after he has saved so many lives – and yet he cries out – “This gold pin – this pin could have saved a life! This car…. could have saved 10 lives!”   This scene – and this verse – makes me ask myself if I am using my finances wisely?  Am I investing in others?  Are my luxuries taking away from other’s very lives?  Am I accumulating treasure when I could have been serving others?  I cannot encourage you enough to watch this scene in Schindler’s List again if you haven’t seen it in a while.  Every time I watch this scene something happens to my heart that only God can explain…  it changes me…

Verse 9 stands out: “Don’t grumble about each other, my brothers and sisters, or God will judge you.”  This is such a great reminder of Jesus’ call to not judge others!  Don’t grumble about others.  How often do we grumble about others?  Are we grumbling about someone currently?  Is this a healthy practice?  By the way, I have been bad about grumbling about others recently – in fact, I almost got sideswiped on a freeway recently by a guy who was not paying attention to where he was going.  In all honestly, I have no idea how we avoided not hitting each other, but for the grace of God.  I was so shook up by the near miss I was “grumbling” big time about this guy’s carelessness.  Interestingly and thankfully I was not cussing at him nor giving him bad gestures, but I was grumbling in my heart about how not smart I thought he was – and I immediately caught myself and asked God to forgive me for this sin.  And I believe He did.  Let us not grumble in our hearts about others.  It is a sin.  Let us stay away from grumble corner in our lives!  🙂

The first half of verse 16 is so true – “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”  Is there someone in your life you can confess your sins to?  Someone you can ask to pray for you?  Do you believe this practice will heal you of that sin?

And the last half of verse 16 also is amazing to remember – “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”   Are you praying for others?  Earnestly?  Do you believe prayer has great power and that God listens and can bring about wonderful results?

YouTube:  As I reflect on the ending of Schindler’s List in the comments today, here’s the beautiful ending of the movie that I refer to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhA5GIx51Kg

Do you need our Saving God?  Click here and get to know him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for righteousness in your life. Pray for others, powerfully and effectively.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!