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Whose Kingdom Are We Serving? Transformative Truths from the Book of James

In this episode of Sermon Notes, host Amy-Jo Girardier and Brentwood Baptist senior pastor Jay Strother dive into James chapter four, unpacking its practical wisdom on the tension between godliness and worldliness, and the daily struggle of who sits on the throne of our hearts. They explore themes of pride, humility, spiritual “cardiac drift,” and the importance of continually submitting to God’s authority.

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Daily Devotional
May 20, 2025

Numbers 29, Psalm 73, Isaiah 21, 2 Peter 2

Numbers 29: God commands detailed offerings for the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Shelters, emphasizing precise sacrifices day by day. Psalm 73: Asaph wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked until he enters God's sanctuary and realizes their end, concluding that God's presence is his true treasure. Isaiah 21: Isaiah prophesies the fall of Babylon, the silence of Dumah, and the decline of Arabia, revealing God’s sovereignty over nations and their destinies. 2 Peter 2: Peter warns of false teachers who secretly introduce destructive heresies, assuring that God's judgment will come upon them just as it did in the past.

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Daily Devotional
May 19, 2025

Numbers 28, Psalm 72, Isaiah 19-20, 2 Peter 1

Numbers 28: God commands Israel to offer daily, Sabbath, monthly, and festival sacrifices as ongoing acts of worship and atonement. Psalm 72: Solomon prays for a righteous king whose rule brings justice, abundance, and blessing to all nations. Isaiah 19–20: Egypt will be judged and humbled, then healed and drawn to worship God alongside Israel and Assyria, while Cush and Egypt fail to save themselves from Assyria. 2 Peter 1: Peter urges believers to grow in godliness, remember the truth, and trust Scripture as the inspired and confirmed word of God.

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Daily Devotional
May 18, 2025

Numbers 27, Psalm 70-71, Isaiah 17-18, 1 Peter 5

Numbers 27: The daughters of Zelophehad secure their inheritance rights, and God appoints Joshua as Moses’ successor to lead the people. Psalm 70-71: David urgently pleads for God’s help and proclaims steadfast trust in God's righteousness and rescue throughout his life, even into old age. Isaiah 17-18: God announces judgment on Damascus and Israel for forgetting Him, and Cush is warned and told a tribute will one day be brought to Zion. 1 Peter 5: Peter urges elders to lead humbly and all believers to resist the devil, cast their cares on God, and stand firm in His grace.

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Daily Devotional
May 17, 2025

Numbers 26, Psalm 69, Isaiah 16, 1 Peter 4

Numbers 26: God commands a new census after the plague, recounting the tribes and reaffirming the promise of land for a new generation, with only Joshua and Caleb remaining from the original. Psalm 69: David cries out to God for rescue from overwhelming distress, pleading for justice on his enemies and praising God’s faithfulness. Isaiah 16: Isaiah calls for Moab to seek refuge in Zion, yet prophesies its downfall due to pride, with only a weak remnant left in three years. 1 Peter 4: Peter urges believers to live for God’s will, love deeply, and rejoice in suffering for Christ, trusting the faithful Creator in all things.

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Daily Devotional
May 16, 2025

Numbers 25, Psalm 68, Isaiah 15, 1 Peter 3

Numbers 25: Israel falls into idolatry with Moab, but Phinehas zealously intervenes, stopping the plague and receiving God’s covenant of peace. Psalm 68: David praises God’s mighty power, protection, and provision as the victorious King who reigns from Zion and leads His people. Isaiah 15: Isaiah laments the coming devastation and grief that will sweep over Moab, leaving its cities desolate and its people in despair. 1 Peter 3: Peter instructs husbands and wives on godly living, calls all believers to return blessing for evil, and reminds them of Christ’s example in suffering for righteousness.

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Daily Devotional
May 15, 2025

Numbers 24, Psalm 66-67, Isaiah 14, 1 Peter 2

Numbers 24: Balaam, filled with the Spirit, blesses Israel again with a vision of their strength and a future ruler, angering Balak and predicting judgment for Israel’s enemies. Psalms 66–67: All creation is called to praise God for His mighty acts and blessings, as His justice, provision, and salvation are proclaimed among the nations. Isaiah 14: Isaiah prophesies the downfall of Babylon and its king, God's judgment on Assyria and Philistia, and the restoration of Israel to their land. 1 Peter 2: Peter urges believers to live as a holy priesthood, submit to authority, and follow Christ’s example of enduring unjust suffering with righteousness.

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Daily Devotional
May 14, 2025

Numbers 23, Psalm 64-65, Isaiah 13, 1 Peter 1

Numbers 23: Balaam delivers two oracles from God, declaring blessing over Israel and affirming that he can only speak what the Lord puts in his mouth. Psalms 64–65: David prays for protection from evil and praises God for His justice, salvation, and provision for the earth. Isaiah 13: Isaiah proclaims the coming judgment against Babylon, describing the Day of the Lord as a time of devastating wrath and cosmic upheaval. 1 Peter 1: Peter encourages believers with hope in their salvation, calling them to holiness and sincere love because they have been born again through God’s enduring word.

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Daily Devotional
May 13, 2025

Numbers 22, Psalm 62-63, Isaiah 11-12, James 5

Numbers 22: Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel, but God warns Balaam only to speak His words. On the journey, Balaam’s donkey sees an angel and speaks; Balaam’s eyes are opened, and he agrees to obey God fully. Psalms 62–63: David proclaims that true rest and strength come from God alone, who is a rock and refuge. In the wilderness, he longs for God’s presence and rejoices in His faithful love. Isaiah 11–12: A Spirit-filled descendant of Jesse will reign in righteousness, bringing peace and regathering God’s people. A song of praise follows, celebrating God’s salvation, strength, and presence. James 5: James warns the rich who oppress others and urges believers to patiently wait for the Lord, to pray in suffering, and to restore one another in truth and love.

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Daily Devotional
May 12, 2025

Numbers 21, Psalm 60-61, Isaiah 10, James 4

Numbers 21: Israel defeats the Canaanites, complains and is punished with snakes, then saved by looking at the bronze serpent; they journey through Moab and conquer Sihon and Og. Psalms 60–61: David pleads for God’s help in battle and proclaims trust in God as his refuge, strength, and eternal hope. Isaiah 10: God uses Assyria to judge Israel but will later punish Assyria’s pride and preserve a faithful remnant through justice and power. James 4: James warns against pride, worldly desires, and judgment of others, calling believers to humility, submission to God, and trust in His will.

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Daily Devotional
May 11, 2025

Numbers 20, Psalm 58-59, Isaiah 9, James 3

Numbers 20: Moses disobeys God by striking the rock instead of speaking to it, resulting in God's judgment; Edom denies Israel passage, and Aaron dies on Mount Hor. Psalms 58–59: David cries out against injustice and violence, trusting God to defend him and bring judgment on the wicked. Isaiah 9: God promises a coming Prince of Peace to reign in justice, even as His judgment continues against Israel’s pride and wickedness. James 3: James warns about the power of the tongue and contrasts earthly, selfish wisdom with the peaceable, righteous wisdom that comes from above.

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