Favoritism – making distinctions and showing partiality – is back in fashion (as if it ever went out). Cultural commentators call it “tribalism.” We divide ourselves by status, age, politics, gender, ethnicity, education, etc. It shows up and brings divisions within God’s church. But God desires his children to be a loving family: the salt of the earth, a light shining in the darkness of our culture. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I invite you to get a Bible and work through the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.

— Praise God with Me: (1)
O God of all creation, you alone are God and you alone can satisfy our longing
for a support that earth cannot give and that heaven will not take away.
Help us, in recognition of our common dependence on you,
to acknowledge our need of one another.
Let this recognition and acknowledgement make us one
You love us. Let this truth humble us and shape us to one another. Amen.

— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
A little background: Today we shift to the book of James – which was written by the brother of Jesus, who was a key leader in the early church. Privilege associated with cultural rank played an important role in the Roman Empire, and this cultural value was quite contrary to the church, where all were to be valued, seen as neighbors, loved, and “one in Christ Jesus”. James is writing o address divisions showing up in their fellowship based on rank.

Come Holy Spirit, help us to remember who we are and who you are!
James 2:1-13 Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
We pray, O Lord, for the Church, which is one in the greatness of your love,
but divided by the littleness of our love.
May we be less occupied with the things that divide us,
and more with those we hold in common and the love that enfolds us all. Amen.

— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
God’s exceeding desire to be loved comes from loving exceedingly. This is why Jesus said, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me.” He even calls us to esteem that which is most precious t us – our soul – as second to the love of God, for our Father wishes to be loved by us entirely.
When we do not love a person we do not wish to be with them, no matter how great or noble that person may be. But when we love someone, we want to be with them, and we view their love for us with great honor even if they are not a person of great rank. For this reason – and not because of our great rank – God values our love. So much, in fact, that he suffered greatly on our behalf.

— Let us receive this blessing from God today: (4)
May the God who makes everything holy and whole,
make you holy and whole, put you together—
spirit, soul, and body—
and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.
The One who called you is completely dependable.
If he said it, he will do it! Amen.
—
Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources, edited.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources, edited.
(3) From “Dying to Sin”, John Chrysostom (late 4th Century)
(4) From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, The Message as found in The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.