James 2:1-13
Key Verse: 2:1
In today's passage in James we learn again that believers should exercise self-control. This time showing favoritism is not appropriate for believers. This passage tells us that we should look at people from God's point of view, not from a worldly point of view. God is looking at peoples' faith, not only their external things. God's people must treat people in a fair way, not showing favoritism. May God give us wisdom to keep his royal law in Scripture.

James 1:19-27
Key Verse: 1:22
    Today James tells us what our attitude should be when we hear the word of God. He contrasts the worldly way of living with Christian living. Real Christian living means controlling anger, getting rid of moral filth. Also we must combine listening to the word of God with doing what it says. Finally, we must control our tongues. May God give us wisdom as we think about this passage.

Jonah 2:1-10
Key Verse: 2:9

    In the last chapter Jonah ran away from the LORD when God called him to go to the great city of Nineveh. He was a prophet of God, but he needed more training so he could be used by God for God's world mission purpose. We learn how the Old Testament is silently pointing us to the Messiah Jesus. May God refine us through spiritual training into useful servants of God who are his instruments for world mission.

Jonah 1:1-17
Key Verse: 1:2
We will study the book of Jonah and learn the heart of God. We may have heard funny stories about Jonah and good CBF material. Maybe God give us spiritual insight into the deep meaning of the "reluctant prophet" that Jesus referred to several times, comparing his own death and resurrection to Jonah's experience. Today we want to learn from God's call and Jonah's response.

Psalm 40-41
Key Verse: 40:8
    Thank God who allowed us to finish studying Book I of Psalms (chapter 1-41). In today’s passage we think about how David lived as a godly man. We live as mature people of God when we wait patiently on God. We can be blessed when we make the LORD our trust. When we live by faith, we don’t live just by rules and legalism. The Holy Spirit changes us, so we don’t just live by human external regulations, but through changing us on a desire level. In the second chapter it tells us that we can be blessed when we have regard for the weak. David’s life was an image of the Messiah Jesus.

Psalm 36-37
Key Verse: 37:34

    In these Psalms we see how the Psalmist struggled with the problem of wickedness in the world along believers. Sometimes he struggled when worldly people didn't seem to suffer like he did. It's a reassurance that we only need to wait for God's will to be accomplished in his own way. We can feel overwhelmed when we see how evil seems to thrive. In these passages we see how we must teach the word of God and live a generous life in accordance with the righteous life God has called us to.

Psalm 36-37
Key Verse: 37:34

I. Your Love, O LORD, Reaches To The Heavens (Ps 36)
1. What was David's oracle about? Think about each supporting point and how he was under self-deception.

Psalm 34-35
Key Verse: Psalm 34:17

    These Psalms tell us how to live as God's people in a world infected with sin. It is not easy to live as God's holy people in a difficult world with people who hate the light and the truth of God. We must find the solution to these real everyday problems by coming to God as we are, putting aside falsehood. God hears his people. God can only be our real hope.

Psalm 32-33
Key Verse: 32:1

    Today’s first Psalm is all about the blessedness of sins forgiven. People waste away in sin and guilt. We can be blessed when we experience sins forgiven through God’s unfailing love. In today’s second Psalm we learn that we should sing joyfully to the LORD, because he is the Creator God who created the world by his power.

Psalm 30-31
Key Verse: 31:13,14

    Thank God that through the Psalms we can see the image of Jesus through David’s spiritual struggles. In today’s passage we learn how to grow spiritually and depend on God’s mercy. We learn that we must trust in the Creator God every moment.