How much mind should I pay to "Verse a Day" verses?

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Trayalc

Trayalc

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So I have an app that notifies me with a Bible verse a day. Lately I've been going through a difficult situation, and I've been praying that God guide me through it, give me the wisdom and strength to make the right decision, and ultimately have His will be done.

Today's verse of the day scared me, however, as it seemed to criticize me about my prayers. The verse is James 3:4 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

I did not think there was anything wrong with my prayers lately, but this verse popping up today on my phone that seems to suggest I'm doing things incorrectly.

So my question is, how seriously should I take "Verse a Day" verses like this? I'm starting to wonder if such apps are a good thing or not -- I know we're not supposed to treat the Bible as a fortune book. Rather, we should study it like a textbook. However, I also know that God can speak to us through whatever means He pleases.

What's everyone's opinions? Advice? Thanks!
 
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redleghunter

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I got that too. You must be signed up for You Version.

It is good to examine ourselves each day as we walk in the Lord. So the verse you mentioned led me to examine if my prayer life is pure. Meaning focused on Christ. Did I have any selfish or self centered prayers I spoke not knowing. It was a good and peaceful reflection which led me to ask Christ for His will in all. Knowing He promised to provide our every need. And if we pray the Lord’s Prayer in all meekness each day or several times a day, we are confirming we know He hears our every need.

Try the Lord’s Prayer in meditation. Stop at each statement and reflect on the Glory, Power and Love of our Great God.

Hope this helps.
 
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musicalpilgrim

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Trayalc said:
So I have an app that notifies me with a Bible verse a day. Lately I've been going through a difficult situation, and I've been praying that God guide me through it, give me the wisdom and strength to make the right decision, and ultimately have His will be done.

Today's verse of the day scared me, however, as it seemed to criticize me about my prayers. The verse is James 3:4 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

I did not think there was anything wrong with my prayers lately, but this verse popping up today on my phone that seems to suggest I'm doing things incorrectly.

So my question is, how seriously should I take "Verse a Day" verses like this? I'm starting to wonder if such apps are a good thing or not -- I know we're not supposed to treat the Bible as a fortune book. Rather, we should study it like a textbook. However, I also know that God can speak to us through whatever means He pleases.

What's everyone's opinions? Advice? Thanks!
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That is so interesting...
I would look at it and if it applies, work on it, but if not move on.

Also the translation from 'The Message' Bible is very helpful

James 3:4-5 The Message (MSG)
3-5 A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
 
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Trayalc said:
So I have an app that notifies me with a Bible verse a day. Lately I've been going through a difficult situation, and I've been praying that God guide me through it, give me the wisdom and strength to make the right decision, and ultimately have His will be done.

Today's verse of the day scared me, however, as it seemed to criticize me about my prayers. The verse is James 3:4 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

I did not think there was anything wrong with my prayers lately, but this verse popping up today on my phone that seems to suggest I'm doing things incorrectly.

So my question is, how seriously should I take "Verse a Day" verses like this? I'm starting to wonder if such apps are a good thing or not -- I know we're not supposed to treat the Bible as a fortune book. Rather, we should study it like a textbook. However, I also know that God can speak to us through whatever means He pleases.

What's everyone's opinions? Advice? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm not a huge fan of verse a day apps because isolating a single verse almost always eliminates the context that the verse was written in. I have no idea what version of James 3:4 you're reading but it appears absolutely atrocious. The Authorized Version says this "Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."

Basically James is warning us mind our tongue. Verses 1-12 of James 3 are focused on Christians guarding their words. I wouldn't read anything more into it and if I were you I would strongly consider using a different translation of scripture.
 
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SkyWriting

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Trayalc said:
So I have an app that notifies me with a Bible verse a day. Lately I've been going through a difficult situation, and I've been praying that God guide me through it, give me the wisdom and strength to make the right decision, and ultimately have His will be done.

Today's verse of the day scared me, however, as it seemed to criticize me about my prayers. The verse is James 3:4 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

I did not think there was anything wrong with my prayers lately, but this verse popping up today on my phone that seems to suggest I'm doing things incorrectly.

So my question is, how seriously should I take "Verse a Day" verses like this? I'm starting to wonder if such apps are a good thing or not -- I know we're not supposed to treat the Bible as a fortune book. Rather, we should study it like a textbook. However, I also know that God can speak to us through whatever means He pleases.

What's everyone's opinions? Advice? Thanks!
Click to expand...


God is not guiding the App.
 
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Willie T

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Trayalc said:
My sincerest apologies! I put the wrong verse. The verse I am referring to is James 4:3; it is NOT James 3:4. The translation I am using is the NIV version. Sorry about that!

Thank you for the responses and advice so far. I appreciate you!
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Just this one post, alone, should give any thinking person the answer. Stop the Hocus Pocus games.
 
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eleos1954

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Trayalc said:
So I have an app that notifies me with a Bible verse a day. Lately I've been going through a difficult situation, and I've been praying that God guide me through it, give me the wisdom and strength to make the right decision, and ultimately have His will be done.

Today's verse of the day scared me, however, as it seemed to criticize me about my prayers. The verse is James 3:4 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

I did not think there was anything wrong with my prayers lately, but this verse popping up today on my phone that seems to suggest I'm doing things incorrectly.

So my question is, how seriously should I take "Verse a Day" verses like this? I'm starting to wonder if such apps are a good thing or not -- I know we're not supposed to treat the Bible as a fortune book. Rather, we should study it like a textbook. However, I also know that God can speak to us through whatever means He pleases.

What's everyone's opinions? Advice? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I really think people are better off doing their own study, by topic is a good way to go ... also perhaps using a bible study guide.

I've found this to be a good resource, easy to pull up verses according to topic(s)

What Does the Bible Say About Faith?
(this particular one is on faith)

at the top you can enter in whatever topic is on your mind.

God Bless.
 
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