Living Faith Works (Days 15-21): Read through Psalms, Isaiah, and James

Jesus’ brother James wrote one of most beloved books of the Bible—James. It’s beloved because it’s so practical. He preached about doing. He preached that a real, saving faith will produce righteous works. A belief that doesn’t move you to action is a false faith in the same vein as a demon’s faith. James wrote that we must not merely be hearers but doers. This is the main idea of the big little book of James. True faith will result in action. It’s not merely an alleged faith but an applied faith. If you look throughout the book, you’ll see how James basically says that if you claim to have faith, you should be living it out here and here and here.

You say that you have faith, but…

• Are you looking after the needy (James 1)?
• Are you treating people equally (James 2)?
• Are you treating some people better because it benefits you more (James 2)?
• Do you pass by truly needy brothers or sisters in Christ without lending a hand when you have the means (James 2)?
• Does your faith affect what and how you speak to others (James 3)?
• Whose wisdom do you seek and use—God’s or the world’s (James 3)?
• Are you just trying to get your own way by fighting with others (James 4)?
• Are you making your own plans or seeking God’s will (James 4)?
• Are you treating your employees harshly or with a heavy hand (James 5)?
• Are you patiently enduring suffering (James 5)?
• Are you being truthful? Are you keeping your word (James 5)?
• Are you confessing your sin (James 5)?
• Are you praying (James 5)?
• Are you helping other believers turn back to Christ (James 5)?

Remember that you are not saved by your works. However, a truly living faith works.

This week you’ll read…

Psalms 135-137: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever” (Psalms 136 in The Christian Standard Bible).

Isaiah 34-48: “Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40 in The Christian Standard Bible).

James 1-4: “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1 in The Christian Standard Bible).

• Day 15 (Sun):
  • Psalm 135 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
  • Isaiah 34-35 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
• Day 16 (Mon):
  • Psalm 136 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
  • Isaiah 36-37 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
• Day 17 (Tues):
  • Psalm 137 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
  • Isaiah 38-40 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
• Day 18 (Wed):
  • Isaiah 41-42 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
  • James 1 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
• Day 19 (Thurs):
  • Isaiah 43-44 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
  • James 2 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
• Day 20 (Fri):
  • Isaiah 45-46 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
  • James 3 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
• Day 21 (Sat):
  • Isaiah 47-48 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)
  • James 4 (CSB) (MSG) (NLT)

CSB are daily readings linked to The Christian Standard Bible on BibleGateway.com.

MSG are daily readings linked to The Message Bible on BibleGateway.com.

NLT are daily readings linked to The New Living Translation on BibleGateway.com.