James 1 - Check the Mirror

DAY 1 DEVOTIONAL

God is excited to meet with you over the next few minutes.  He is with you, how exciting is that??  Before you get started think of ten things you are thankful for and let God know (no cheating….think of 10).  When you are done ask God to let you be open to what He wants to say to you

Personal reflection- Take some time to work through the following questions

Before you get started on the devo, head to your bathroom and take a look at yourself in the mirror.  What do you see?   (I know this seems weird...just go do it ok! Stop being so difficult). 

What are some of the positive things about yourself that you like? (inside and out)

What are some of the negative things about you don’t like? (inside and out)

Bible reflection- Use the following passage to help you with the next questions:

Read James 1:19-27

What are the things you hear God saying to you about who you are (vs. 21b)?  What is the message He has planted there?

Go look again in the mirror, but this time go with God.  Are there things that He is pointing out to you about your appearance?  

After the retreat and this reading, what does a changed life look like?  What are the things that you are asking God to help you change?

What does it mean to control your tongue?

How does living out God’s way of life set you free?

Thoughts from Andreas

They say that salad is good for you.  One of the problems though is that it can stick to your teeth.  Somehow that perfect ratio of salad dressing and spinach turns it into glue and it finds a little spot near the front of your mouth to stick.  The problem is you don't know that it is there.  A mirror is super helpful in these moments so that you don't look like an idiot all day with spinach tooth.  
In the same way that a mirror in your bathroom shows you what's stuck on your teeth, God wants to hold up a spiritual mirror for you to show you what's on the inside.  This may scare some of us but remember God has chosen you and you are His chosen possession (vs 18).  He is whispering truths about who you are but it is up to you to accept it.  Those words that He is saying to you are powerful, tell you of your true identity and can save you.  Living a changed life is important but it comes first from letting God's truth penetrate down into your heart.  

Prayer and response-

Ask God to help you wash away the things reflected in the mirror that need to be changed.

Ask that He will be with you today and help you to reflect a changed self to others.  
Spend a couple of minutes listening to God answer the following question:  God what words are you trying to speak to my heart right now?

God is good and He desires you to get to where He wants you to get to more then you do….allow Him to continue to do that work.  (Ephesian 2:10)

James 2 - Who do you love?

DAY 2 DEVOTIONAL

Think back over the last few weeks (since Christmas).  What are the times God has enjoyed spending with you?  The times He laughed with you?  The times He wept?  The moments He captured for His Instagram account.  Thank Him that He has been with you and is with you now.

Personal reflection- Take some time to work through the following questions

Who are five of your favorite people that are meaningful to you.  Why those people?  What makes them stand out?

Who are the people that would list you as meaningful to their life?  Why?

A German quote says “what you yell into the woods is what echoes back to you.”  What does that mean?

Bible reflection- Use the following passage to help you with the next questions:

James 2:1-12

Is there a difference between having favorite people and showing favoritism?

What does it mean to be rich in faith (vs. 5)?

What are the laws that Christians break most often?

What is the law of love?  How does a law set you free? 

What does it mean to extend mercy to others?  Who is God asking you to be merciful to? 

If God is good, what does it mean to you that he desires to extend mercy to you?

Andreas Thoughts

We all want to feel loved and like we matter.  A lot of our focus becomes making this a reality.  For some people thought, feeling loved is difficult just because of their life circumstances.  They were born an aboriginal, the country that they lived in was taken over by a corrupt political ruler and they had to flee the country with one suitcase leaving everything behind (including people that spoke the same language as them), they had a car accident and now are in a wheel chair, their family has a history of violence and it led them to move out onto the streets to escape….alcohol and drugs are taken to try to numb the pain, their brain doesn’t work like everyone else’s and they struggle with a mental illness.  Imagine being in those shoes, that daily that is your reality. 

These people want to feel like they matter.  God has created each of them in His image and has a purpose for their life.  That seems kind of crazy to say.  Imagine walking up to one those people on the marginalize people and saying “God has a plan for your life.”  They would likely laugh at you, curse at you or even try to fight you for being so stupid.  The reality though is, God does have a plan for their life and that plan for their life includes you….yup, you read that correctly.  He has placed you in the city you are in, in the school your are in to intentionally cross paths with people.  You are the hands of Jesus and if you neglect to be those hands their may not be another person to follow up.  Your faith allows you to love others and do good deeds.  What are you going to do today to live out your faith?

Prayer and response-

Ask God to show you people that need mercy, that you need to show kindness to.

As you walk through your school today, ask God to show you 1 person on the margins, the person that doesn’t fit in or is rejected by everyone else.  Why are they rejected, what put them on the margins?  What is God’s heart for that individual.

Ask God to grow your heart for them so that you can receive mercy from him.  God’s heart is for the margin…if you want to meet God head to the margins today.

“Love your neighbor as yourself”….as you learn to love ALL people and intentionally go where others aren’t willing to go, you will find your faith grows as does your love for God.  You will also find that love is what comes echoing back at you. 

God help me today to love others well.  May all the people you bring across my path be loved by me because you have asked me to show them love.  Give me the ability to love well!

James 3 - What's coming out of your mouth?

DAY 3 DEVOTIONAL

Think about your favorite foods to eat, what is your top five list of things you love to eat.  Spend some time thanking God for the taste of food, the ability to enjoy eating and the variety of foods.  Foods are unique and so are you…ask God to meet with you in a unique special way.

Personal reflection- Take some time to work through the following questions

What is your favorite type of taste (bitter, sweet, salty, spicy or other)?

What tastes do you not like?

Are there things that are hard for you to say no to (not just food)?  (Watching tv, popularity, sports, success, being funny, grades, etc).

How do you maintain control of your life without letting those things control you?

Bible reflection- Use the following passage to help you with the next questions:

James 3:1-12

Is it possible to control the tongue (short term and long term)?  How?

In what ways has your tongue gotten you in trouble?

Is it ok to swear?

We are able to worship God one minute then gossip or curse a few minutes later.  Does this matter? 

Which is easier for you (positive talk or negative talk)?

You can’t have fresh water bitter water together, olives on a fig tree, fresh water in a salty pool (vs. 11-12).  What is James trying to say here?

Andreas Thoughts

There was one summer where I did some restoration work on houses.  Basically we went into homes that had mild flooding (a pipe had burst) or fire damage.  Some people are good with tools…me on the other hand not so much.  My boss often had to come and correct what I was doing, I likely caused him more work in probably did more damage in some cases then good.

I’m not that good with my hands, but my mouth, that’s a whole other thing.  I have found there are times where I have built people up to pursue their dreams and encouraged them in their walk with God.  That same mouth though has also destroyed some people and hurt people dearly.  What I thought was a joke and a few funny words ended up causing people pain that cut them deep.

Wouldn’t it be cool that after every conversation you have with someone they left feeling better about themselves?  Imagine if people left feeling encouraged, loved, heard and as if they matter.  Well that’s my goal and that’s the daily choice I am faced with.  Will I choose to encourage people in who they are letting them know they are a masterpiece or will I just go through my day.  Yesterday we looked at the fact that people are brought into our life by God.  Good deeds to others may mean more then doing a kind deed for someone, sometimes the kind deed or action is to say something.  Who are the people in your life that need to hear God’s love spoken through you today?

Prayer and response-

What kind of taste do you leave others with after they have hung out with you?  Is it desirable or a taste they want to spit out?  Are there some that find the taste pleasant and others that would rather avoid you? 

Ask God to help you see what others hear from you (verbally and through your actions).  God wants your life to lead to a harvest of goodness (vs 18) but that all starts with gaining control of your tongue. 

Today, find 10 people to encourage.  Use different ways to do this…social media  (more then just liking their photo thought), write a note or card, tell them to their face.  Try to find some people that may not expect kind words from you and may be on the margins….your kind words may change their life, and change the direction of your life as well.

James 4 - What's the plan?

DAY 4 DEVOTIONAL

Think back to some of your favorite memories, places you have been, things you have done.  God was there and enjoyed those moments just as much as you (they are likely on His Instagram feed).  Thank Him for being with you in the past and for His presence with you now.

Personal reflection- Take some time to work through the following questions

What is something you are looking forward to this weekend, this month, this year?

What are five bucket list items you would like do in your lifetime?

If you could do anything knowing you wouldn’t fail, what would you do?

What do you think God’s hope for your life is?

Bible reflection- Use the following passage to help you with the next questions:

James 4:13-17

Is it wrong to make plans? 

Is God against us planning ahead or having desires for the future?

What does it mean to boast about your own plans?

Knowing what you should do and not doing it is a sin.  Does God have a plan for you that is ok think about over your own plans?

Do you think that God cares about your bucket list and the things you would like to accomplish? 

Andreas Thoughts

Ok…I don’t think the issue in this passage is about not making plans.  Throughout the Old Testament there is stories of how the people were to prepare for the next upcoming festivals.  Even their weekly rhythm involved planning ahead for the next Sabbath day.  I believe the passage is more about when our plans become the priority.  That we feel like we dictate what happens in our life. Remember the people of Israel when they were wandering in the desert.  They were without food and needed something to eat.  They were told to grab enough manna for the day and not gather more beyond that.  If they took more then their daily need it would rot before the next day.  When we start to plan ahead and know what we "need" for the next day rather then trusting God for our daily need then it becomes an issue.  So what's your plan?  Are you making plans for the future or are you trusting God to be in control. 

Prayer and response-

Ok…I don’t think the issue in this passage is about not making plans…it is more about when our plans become the priority.  That we feel like we dictate what happens in our life. 

This coming day….what does it look like for you to be fully present in the moment?  Not thinking about what is coming ahead, dreaming of where you would rather be.   Be fully where you are because God has placed you there in that moment for a reason.  Maybe its for the sake of others or for your sake.  Maybe it is so you can see Him and His goodness. 

Ask God to help you to know what to do (and who to be) in each moment and then to do that well.  May His kingdom come and His will be done in your life today.

James 5 - Bringing Out the Best

DAY 5 DEVOTIONAL

God is excited to meet with you over the next few minutes.  He is with you, how exciting is that??  Before you get started think of ten things you are thankful for and let God know (no cheating….think of 10).  When you are done ask God to let you be open to what He wants to say to you

Personal reflection- Take some time to work through the following questions

Before you get started on the devo, head to your bathroom and take a look at yourself in the mirror.  What do you see?   (I know this seems weird...just go do it ok! Stop being so difficult). 

What are some of the positive things about yourself that you like? (inside and out)

What are some of the negative things about you don’t like? (inside and out)

Bible reflection- Use the following passage to help you with the next questions:

Read James 1:19-27

What are the things you hear God saying to you about who you are (vs. 21b)?  What is the message He has planted there?

Go look again in the mirror, but this time go with God.  Are there things that He is pointing out to you about your appearance?  

After the retreat and this reading, what does a changed life look like?  What are the things that you are asking God to help you change?

What does it mean to control your tongue?

How does living out God’s way of life set you free?

Thoughts from Andreas

They say that salad is good for you.  One of the problems though is that it can stick to your teeth.  Somehow that perfect ratio of salad dressing and spinach turns it into glue and it finds a little spot near the front of your mouth to stick.  The problem is you don't know that it is there.  A mirror is super helpful in these moments so that you don't look like an idiot all day with spinach tooth.  
In the same way that a mirror in your bathroom shows you what's stuck on your teeth, God wants to hold up a spiritual mirror for you to show you what's on the inside.  This may scare some of us but remember God has chosen you and you are His chosen possession (vs 18).  He is whispering truths about who you are but it is up to you to accept it.  Those words that He is saying to you are powerful, tell you of your true identity and can save you.  Living a changed life is important but it comes first from letting God's truth penetrate down into your heart.  

Prayer and response-

Ask God to help you wash away the things reflected in the mirror that need to be changed.

Ask that He will be with you today and help you to reflect a changed self to others.  
Spend a couple of minutes listening to God answer the following question:  God what words are you trying to speak to my heart right now?

God is good and He desires you to get to where He wants you to get to more then you do….allow Him to continue to do that work.  (Ephesian 2:10)