[Practical Application Review – Week 45]
Greetings,
We continue our journey of exploring all 260 chapters of the New Testament, five (5) chapters each week. Let us finish the book of James and start 1 Peter.
Schedule – Week 45:
Please read and/or listen to James 4, 5 and 1 Peter 1, 2, 3
Even though reading and listening to the Bible being read is valuable, our primary goal is learning to live the Bible (to the best of our ability).
Consider our Practical Application Review process…
For “every” chapter:
Step 1: Select a passage of interest
Step 2: Identify area of teaching
Step 3: Consider a practical application
Now let us explore an example (of our three-step process) for each of these five chapters…
Text #1: James 4
Passage: (vv. 7-10)
Teaching: Submit yourself to God. Resist Satan and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, purify your mind and humble yourself before the Lord.
Application: Submitting to and drawing near to God can be so rewarding. Resisting Satan seems more difficult due to many distractions. Cleansing, purifying and humbling bring a great level of satisfaction.
Text #2: James 5
Passage: (vv. 14-15)
Teaching: The elders of the Church are to pray over the sick while anointing with oil. The prayer of faith shall heal the sick. Our Lord will raise the person up and sins will be forgiven.
Application: I enjoy having other believers pray for me, especially those who have been faithful for years and decades. Also, I am available to assist others with praying for their healing.
Text #3: 1 Peter 1
Passage: (vv. 22-23)
Teaching: Let your souls be sanctified by obedience to the truth and be filled with sincere love for one another. Being born again incorruptible by the eternal Word of God.
Application: I believe that obedience to the truth is critical. And my love for others must be genuine. God’s Word makes all the difference within me.
Text #4: 1 Peter 2
Passage: (vv. 11-12)
Teaching: As strangers and pilgrims on Earth, abstain from carnal desires. Let your conduct be good before everyone. May those who speak evil against you see your good works.
Application: I must always push away from the distractions and allurements of the flesh. Only focusing on the good which God has placed within me, so that others may also be drawn toward Him.
Text #5: 1 Peter 3
Passage: (vv. 10-11)
Teaching: If you desire eternal life and want to see good days, refrain your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile. Refrain from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.
Application: I desire to spend eternity with my Lord. For this reason, I must be careful what I say and do. Living a life of peace is so much needed in our world.
“Under the Shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1),
Shawn Episcopo