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?
Psalms 112:1-10. Verses 5 and 9, why does God expect my generosity to include both lending and giving? How can I know when each is called for? Present application??
Ecclesiastes 12:1-14. The Preacher wraps up: All is vanity (v8). Avoid excessive books and study (v12). God is near, God is knowable, God is just (v13, 14). So what’s the bottom line? Does this book even belong in the Bible?
Romans 6:1-14. Verse 6, is this crucifixion of my “old man” an unconscious process or a conscious experience? If the latter, when and how did mine occur? Does it show, would others notice?
Matthew 12:38-42. If the signs Jesus can give me, greater than Jonah or Solomon, aren’t a reason to follow him, what is the reason? How does the sign-seeking impulse retard my discipleship?
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To go deeper, see interpretive notes by Bible scholar Patrick Reardon for many of this week's readings.