Scripture: James 1:1
From James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes who are scattered outside the land of Israel. Greetings!
Thought for the Day: For the next few days, I am going to spend a little time in the book of James. Though a very popular book for some Christians, it was Martin Luther – the 16th century reformer – who suggested that James might be best left out of the Bible. According to Luther, the book contradicted the teaching of the Apostle Paul. Though I have great respect for Martin Luther, I am going to encourage that we continue to find a place for James in our Bibles. James opens the book by referring to himself as a slave of God and Jesus. The Greek word we translate as slave or servant is Doulos, and though James was not technically a slave (there were real slaves at this time), the use of the word describes a person who is so devoted to another that s/he is willing to relinquish his/her own self-interest. James is so devoted to the ways of God that his self-interest and personal agenda are set aside to make room for God’s interests and agenda to dwell.
Prayer: May your vision, O Gracious God, dwell within me. May my life relinquish what is not of you to make room for you. Amen.
Men’s Gathering
Tuesday
Dinner – 6:30pm, Study – 7:00pm
Cramer Reterat Center
