Evening Scripture

James 4
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
     but shows favor to the humble.”

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Evening Reflection

As we settle in for the evening and review our day, it is easy to recognize how busy our schedule was – but not so easy to identify where our focus was. In this crazy world of busyness, we often get wrapped up in our earthly desires rather than our heavenly calling. We work toward what we covet – a promotion, a raise, more pay, recognition. Our desires include additional possessions and pleasures - a bigger home, a newer car, or more. 

Then, we let our prayers reflect those desires – only to be disappointed when things don’t go the way we asked. We make plans for our future, asking God to bless them – and yet, we don’t know what our future will bring. Our lives can change in a heartbeat, changing what lies ahead. If that were to occur, wouldn’t you want to already be close to God so he can see you through those life-changing moments? We are taught that when we give our lives to Jesus, we become a new creation, and it is the absolute truth. The Holy Spirit comes and dwells within us – but sometimes we are so busy chasing our “dreams” we can’t feel his presence or even know he’s there. 

James tells us to submit ourselves to God and to humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will lift us up! A promise made – and God never breaks his promises. But, submitting ourselves and humbling ourselves before the Lord isn’t something that we can snap our fingers and make happen. It is a commitment that requires daily attention and sacrifice. We must open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit and give in to his leading – through daily prayer, God’s Word, and a community of believers. Let the Lord’s spirit work in us and through us – giving in to the change within us. We may not feel change immediately - it may take a bit of time - but one morning you will wake up and feel it. You are drawing near to God – feeling like a new creation in him.

Evening Prayer

Father,
With my whole heart, I desire to come to know you. I want to draw closer and closer. I desire all of you, and I surrender to your will in everything I desire or do. You are my God, and earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in this dry and weary land where there is no water.
Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Evening Scripture
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/james/4.html">James 4</a> What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don&rsquo;t they come from your desires that battle within you?&nbsp;You desire but do not have, so you kill.&nbsp;You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.&nbsp;When you ask, you do not receive,&nbsp;because you ask with wrong motives,&nbsp;that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
You adulterous&nbsp;people,&nbsp;don&rsquo;t you know that friendship with the world&nbsp;means enmity against God?&nbsp;Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.&nbsp;Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?&nbsp;But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
&ldquo;God opposes the proud &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;but shows favor to the humble.&rdquo;
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,&nbsp;and he will flee from you.&nbsp;Come near to God and he will come near to you.&nbsp;Wash your hands,&nbsp;you sinners, and purify your hearts,&nbsp;you double-minded.&nbsp;Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.&nbsp;Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.&nbsp;Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister&nbsp;or judges them&nbsp;speaks against the law&nbsp;and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,&nbsp;but sitting in judgment on it.&nbsp;There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,&nbsp;the one who is able to save and destroy.&nbsp;But you&mdash;who are you to judge your neighbor?
Now listen, you who say, &ldquo;Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.&rdquo;&nbsp;Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.&nbsp;Instead, you ought to say, &ldquo;If it is the Lord&rsquo;s will,&nbsp;we will live and do this or that.&rdquo;&nbsp;As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.&nbsp;If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn&rsquo;t do it, it is sin for them.
Evening Reflection
As we settle in for the evening and review our day, it is easy to recognize how busy our schedule was &ndash; but not so easy to identify where our focus was. In this crazy world of busyness, we often get wrapped up in our earthly desires rather than our heavenly calling. We work toward what we covet &ndash; a promotion, a raise, more pay, recognition. Our desires include additional possessions and pleasures - a bigger home, a newer car, or more.&nbsp;
Then, we let our prayers reflect those desires &ndash; only to be disappointed when things don&rsquo;t go the way we asked. We make plans for our future, asking God to bless them &ndash; and yet, we don&rsquo;t know what our future will bring. Our lives can change in a heartbeat, changing what lies ahead. If that were to occur, wouldn&rsquo;t you want to already be close to God so he can see you through those life-changing moments? We are taught that when we give our lives to Jesus, we become a new creation, and it is the absolute truth. The Holy Spirit comes and dwells within us &ndash; but sometimes we are so busy chasing our &ldquo;dreams&rdquo; we can&rsquo;t feel his presence or even know he&rsquo;s there.&nbsp;
James tells us to submit ourselves to God and to humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will lift us up! A promise made &ndash; and God never breaks his promises. But, submitting ourselves and humbling ourselves before the Lord isn&rsquo;t something that we can snap our fingers and make happen. It is a commitment that requires daily attention and sacrifice. We must open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit and give in to his leading &ndash; through daily prayer, God&rsquo;s Word, and a community of believers. Let the Lord&rsquo;s spirit work in us and through us &ndash; giving in to the change within us. We may not feel change immediately - it may take a bit of time - but one morning you will wake up and feel it. You are drawing near to God &ndash; feeling like a new creation in him.
Evening Prayer
Father, With my whole heart, I desire to come to know you. I want to draw closer and closer. I desire all of you, and I surrender to your will in everything I desire or do. You are my God, and earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in this dry and weary land where there is no water. Amen.
Want More?
If tonight&rsquo;s episode blessed you, be sure to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962">follow the show</a> so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Drawing Near to God and Being Changed (James 4)

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