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 119:97-120. Verses 113 & 114, KJV, what are the vain thoughts I am supposed to hate; three specific ones I'm susceptible to? With what truth from God's word can I counter each one?
Leviticus 16:1-34. Verse 2, Aaron is warned that taking a holy God seriously is a matter of life and death (compare Leviticus 10 & Acts 5). It evokes true awe. How can I and my church live into that?
Acts 5:12-21. Defying the gag order of 4:18, the apostles are jailed again but gain angelic "bail." How does this differ from Christians politically and judicially seeking religious freedom today?
Mark 1:29-39. Verse 35, why did Jesus, God incarnate, need to pray? How does the priority he gave this, waking early to get alone with the Father, challenge my own prayer life? Action point?
To go deeper, see interpretive notes by Bible scholar Patrick Reardon for many of this week's readings.