1) Pray for understanding in your mind, trust in your heart, and powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.
James 1:9–11
[9] Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, [10] and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Head - What reason is there that a lowly person would rejoice? Why would a rich person possibly face humiliation?
Heart - What are you striving after in this world? What will make you feel accomplished or attractive?
Hand - What steps can you take to focus on the things that matter for eternity? (Having faith in Jesus and helping others to know Jesus)
The Bible tells us that having faith in Jesus is the most important thing in life, because that's what restores our broken relationship with God and leads us in a lasting relationship with Him. If we don't have this, then even a person who has everything and is loved by everyone eventually will lose it all and has to face the penalty of living against God. But on the flipside, if a person who may not have much finds faith in Jesus, then his/her entire life changes.
You see, it's not about what you have, but rather it's all about what God gives you and does for you. That's how we were created to live. We were created to thrive in what God provides and honoring Him through them (like Adam and Eve). When we try to find fulfillment in worldly accomplishments or material things, then we are looking in the wrong place for this. God is meant to be our fulfillment, and our accomplishments and possessions are supposed to give glory to Him.
Let's examine our hearts and dreams daily. Especially as students who are pursuing education and jobs, let's put those things in their proper place. Let God may be your all in all, and He will provide the opportunities, possessions and relationships you need.
"Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you." (Matt. 6:33)