Studying this morning's four readings from the St. James Daily Devotional Guide (click to subscribe), I examined myself with these questions. Where is your self-examination leading today?
Psalm 31:1-24. When have I been the target of slander and defamation (verse 13)? How did God get me through it (verse 20)? What was the lesson I can apply for myself or another today?
Judges 8:1-35. Gideon's self-restraint (verse 23), his ensnarement (verse 27), and Israel's ingratitude to him (verse 35): what do they teach present-day Christians and our leaders?
Philippians 2:12-18. Verse 15, what can I start doing differently or better, to exemplify this portrait of a Christ-follower who attractively shines to those around him?
Luke 4:22-30. Yet on the other hand, even as Jesus made enemies from the very beginning of his ministry, how willing am I to do the same? How wisely too? Is my church also willing?
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To go deeper, see interpretive notes by Bible scholar Patrick Reardon for many of this week's readings.