S – Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 CSB

O – Commentary:

Like a magnet, the call for commitment has both positive and negative poles: submit … to God and resist the devil. “Submit” is a military term “to be subordinated” or “to render obedience.” “Resist” (antistēte) means “take a stand against.” Take a stand against the devil, and he will flee

“James,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we obey God’s word, it is not debasing.  It is empowering.  That fuels us to be courageous and take the stand we need.  The enemy cannot defeat a believer who is in unity with God and aligned with his will and purpose.

R – Heavenly Father, we exalt you.  We surrender our will to yours.  We accept the fresh infilling of your Holy Spirit to be all that you created us to be today.  Give us the courage to stand and resist the devil.   We will walk victorious through you.

S – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.

James 3:17 CSB

O – Commentary:

The virtues James lists are predominantly nonselfish and nonaggressive; those who practice these virtues show greater concern for others than for themselves. They are the opposite of the vices described in vv. 14–16

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – It is interesting that wisdom from God shows a greater value and interest in others than in ourselves.  That is the heartbeat of Christ as he gave himself on the cross.  In seeking wisdom, it goes beyond the ability to answer questions or solve problems.  It speaks to loving the people who are part of the equation as well.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor today.  We ask for divine wisdom from you that is Holy Spirit-led.  We know we will face challenges.  We want to have insight and application from our lifetime of experiences and conversations.  We choose to value others as you would in all we encounter today.

S – My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

James 1:19 CSB

O – The scripture instructs us how to interact with others – Listen well, allow others to have their time to express themselves and don’t get angry quickly.

A – How many disagreements would not happen if everyone followed this formula?  This is a great template for us to follow.  The key is listening.  The more someone else talks, the better understanding you have of what they think and where they stand on a topic.

R—Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you. Thank you for the practical wisdom that allows us to interact with others. We want to value them and grow. We also want to share what you have given us so they can grow as well.

S – Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

 James 1:2–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

It is the true part or approved portion of faith that produces perseverance. The testing refers more to “approval” than to “proving.” The word (dokimion) appears only here and in 1 Peter 1:7. Faith is like gold; it stands in the test of fire. Without this approved standard of faith, trials would not yield perseverance. There would only be ashes. True faith, like pure gold, endures, no matter how hot the fire. True faith therefore develops, or more literally “works” (katergazetai), perseverance or staying power. The noun “perseverance” (hypomonēn; cf. the verbal form in James 1:12) means steadfastness or endurance in the face of difficulties. 

“James,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 

A – The walk of a believer is one of faith…true faith.  It must endure all tests and trials.  Either God is who he says he is – the one, true God who has a plan and a purpose for us and will work all things for our good.  Or, he is just a mirage of history and folk lore.  I believe and my faith says he is the one and only God…period.  I will align with his will and purpose for my life no matter the cost.

R – Heavenly Father, I surrender to your will and plan for my life.  No matter the trial or challenge, I set my faith in you.  I will endure whatever comes my way so that I can finish. the race you set before me.  

S – The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.

Proverbs 27:21 CSB

O –  Commentary:
Heat both tests and refines silver (cf. 25:4) and gold, showing what the metals are really like. (This first line of 27:21 is identical with 17:3.) Praise tests a person in a similar way in that his reaction to it shows what he is really like. If he gloats over it, he shows himself to be arrogant; he “knows” he is good. But if he accepts the praise modestly, he shows his humility.

 The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – In this area, there are two tests we must pass – the praise we receive and the ability to celebrate others.  Anything that moves us to pride is not healthy.  In my life, the best way to receive praise is to look that person in the eye and say, “Thank you.”  I know my challenges and things I am working on – it keeps me humble.

One tougher question is whether we genuinely celebrate others in their wins.  When you evaluate yourself, it will check to see if envy and insecurity are part of the equation.  I struggled with this when I was younger.  There is freedom when you can celebrate others without either of these.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor.  Help us to walk in genuine humility – not false condescension.  We are grateful for the times we are praised, knowing you are the source of our gifts and talents.  Help us to authentically honor and value others.  It keeps us free from envy and insecurity.

S – As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person. 

Proverbs 27:19 CSB

O – The heart is our true identity.  The inner things eventually come out openly.  

A – Our hearts are the foundation for our relationship with God.  The OT focused on obedience to God’s laws.  The NT focuses on the heart and relationship with God.  We must continue to nurture a heart that is full of faith, hope and love.  

R – Heavenly Father, we reverence you.  Life is challenging and our hearts are barraged with good and bad.  Help us protect our hearts and guard them from any evil that wants to bring damage.  Strengthen our hearts to walk in faith, hope and love.

S – Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, ² keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1–2 CSB

O – With the history of believers who exercised faith when it was challenging, we should exercise ours uninhibited by things that stop us.  We should persevere focused on Christ.  He modeled this for us when he went to the cross and was resurrected to heaven.

A – The journey of a believer in Christ is a lifetime.  From the moment we choose Christ as our Lord, we begin “the race” to heaven.  It is a marathon and not a sprint.  Our faith is what sustains us in the good and the bad.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Thank you for being the role model of Jesus’ perseverance while on earth.  Let us also demonstrate that strength and courage in our walk with you.  Empower us today to live aligned with your will and the resolve to do what you ask of us.

S – For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward. 

Hebrews 11:26 CSB

O – Commentary:

endured for the sake of Christ By identifying with the people of God and sharing in their hardship, Moses ultimately served the cause of Christ

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – It is unusual to read that Moses’ faith was influenced by Christ.  Yet, it makes sense.  We impact God’s plan for ourselves and others.  What seems unique to Moses is actually part of a greater “tapestry” where all the strings weave into an amazing pattern and plan.  His obedience in faith is just as vital as ours is today.

R – Heavenly Father, we love and worship you.  You have a greater plan than we know.  Give us the courage to have faith that honors you and weaves together with others to bring your plans to fruition.  

S – Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Jewish people defined ultimate “hope” in terms of the future day of the Lord. This hope is, however, an unshakable conviction in the present: “assurance” (nasb, nrsv; “confidence”—niv) appears in Greek business documents with the meaning “title deed.” To the Greek reader, what was “not seen” was what was eternal, in the heavens; here it also means what was yet to happen, as in Jewish *apocalyptic expectation

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Life has enough difficulties to challenge our “unshakeable conviction in the present.”  That is where we grow our faith – in the challenge and wonder if it will come to reality.  When we don’t see it or can make it happen and still choose to believe in God, that is where it grows.  Looking at chapter 11 of Hebrews, some things were achieved and others did not.  Yet, God attributed faith to them because it was in God and not the outcomes.  That is the faith we want.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship you as the one, true God.  We put our faith in you for what you put in our hearts.  We seek you first and trust you with the results.  We know you love us and do what is best for us.

S – Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful

 Hebrews 10:23 CSB

O – Commentary:

This exhortation to “hold fast” is important given the opposition the readers face. Their critics insist that they return to the ritual observances practiced by other Jews in their city and compromise the absolute sufficiency of Christ.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – The commentary gives a good insight.  The book of Hebrews is written to the Jewish people.  Their opposition wasn’t just those against God but also those who didn’t believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  With hundreds of years of culture, it would be easy to revert to the traditional way of approaching God.

This is our challenge as well.  We have people who don’t believe in God and those who do but in different practices.  We must hold onto our beliefs and disciplines as God reveals them.  It is our relationship with God that will move us toward growth.

R—Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you. Thank you for the uniqueness of our relationship with you. We don’t take it for granted. Instead, we step toward you to know you more and follow your plans for us.