Tag: The Book of James

Thursday Morning: 04 Jul 2019 – James 5:1-20 ~ Faith waits patiently and prays earnestly.

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – James 5:1-20 (NLT)

Warning to the Rich

Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.

Patience and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

The Power of Prayer

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

Restore Wandering Believers

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Faith waits patiently and prays earnestly.

James has already warned us about friendship with the world. In today’s reading he zeroes in on those who live in luxury and rely on their wealth for security. More specifically, his warning is directed at those who have gotten rich by mistreating and cheating their employees. His warning: Your ill-gotten gains will testify against you on the coming Day of Judgement.

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return.
Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring.
They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
– James 5:7-8 –

Faith waits patiently: In the meantime, believers (especially those whom the rich have oppressed) are encouraged to wait patiently for the return of Jesus Christ. What does waiting patiently entail?

+ Self-restraint which doesn’t retaliate against wrongs suffered.
+ Confidence that justice will be served on the Day of Judgement.
+ Endurance during times of trouble and suffering.
+ Encouragement knowing that our reward lies ahead, as God has promised.
+ Trust in the kindness, tenderness, and mercy of God.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
– James 5:16 –

Faith prays earnestly: In light of the temptations and trials that believers face, James reminds us that prayer is the instrumental means for managing our troubles. How does that work?

+ Prayer is the means to express our feelings of fear, dismay, and distress in times of hardship.
+ Prayer, with the anointing of oil, is the means of healing our sicknesses – spiritual, emotional, and physical.
+ Prayer, with confession and repentance, is the means by which our sins are forgiven.
+ Prayer with other believers works wonders.

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you believe that on the Day of Judgement that justice will be served? Can you think of a particular wrong that you want to be made right? Please explain.
  • Where do you need patience and endurance to cope with the troubles that you face? Please explain.
  • If you were/are sick, upon whom would you call to pray for healing and anoint you with oil? Please explain.
  • Have you / do you pray with other believers? How has God responded to your prayers? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer: – For the Acceptance of Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

“King Of My Heart” – Kutless

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 29 Jun 2019 – James 2:1-13 ~ Faith and Favoritism

Saturday Morning

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Reading from the Book of James 2:1-13 (NLT)

A Warning against Prejudice

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Faith and Favoritism

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ
if you favor some people over others?
–  James 2:1 –

In today’s reading, James comes right to the point: Showing personal favoritism is inconsistent for Christians who worship the glorious Lord Jesus Christ. The example offered is preferential seating of the rich and powerful at Christian gatherings.

In regard to the poor:

+ God has chosen the believing poor to be rich in faith.
+ The believing poor will inherit the Kingdom of God.

In regard to the rich:

+ The unbelieving rich oppress the poor.
+ The unbelieving rich slander Jesus Christ.

The problem of showing favoritism in Christian assemblies is that it treats people exactly opposite to the way God treats them.

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you think of examples where the rich and powerful have been given preferential treatment at Christian gatherings? Please explain.
  • Can you think of examples of people who expect preferential treatment at Christian assemblies? Please explain.
  • Does focusing a church’s ministry on one segment of the population, e.g. youth, or community leaders, amount to showing them preferential treatment? Please explain.
  • Can you think of people in your Christian assembly who are marginalized, e.g. poor, sick, or elderly? How can you show them courtesy and compassion? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:

Prayer for the Poor and Powerless:

Heavenly Father: We pray especially today for the poor and powerless whom you hold close to your heart. Open our hearts to receive them as you do – rich in faith, though poor in worldly status. Fill us with compassion for the very young, the old, the disabled, the stranger – that we might honor them with our friendship and express our concern for them with acts of kindness and love. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

__________

“All the Poor and Powerless” – All Sons & Daughters

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 28 Jun 2019 – James 1:12-27 ~ Faith and Obedience

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – James 1:12-27 (NLT)

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Listening and Doing

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Faith and Obedience

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.
– James 1:12 –

In today’s reading, James builds on his premise that God uses our troubles to perfect us in faith and obedience that we might receive his promised reward – “the crown of life” – life to its fullest potential in the present and in the future.

But that premise requires clarification: God is not the source of our temptations, he simply uses them for our good. Rather than blaming God we need to recognize that we are responsible when we yield to temptation, not God. So how does temptation work?

+ Temptation comes from our own sinful desires.
+ These desires give birth to sinful actions.
+ When unchecked, these sinful actions lead to death.

Nevertheless, God is good; his desire is to bless us –

He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word.
And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
– James 1:18 –

So, how then can we respond positively to the God who chose us and loves us? By accepting God’s Word, by acting on it, and by abiding by it. Here are some practical examples to follow –

+ Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry
+ Control what you say and do, shun filth and evil
+ Humbly accept the word God
+ Care for orphans and widows in their distress
+ Refuse to let the world corrupt you

Questions for consideration:

  • As you consider these practical examples of faith and obedience, which one(s) are most difficult for you? Please explain.
  • What would would you need to do (or not do) in order to act positively on God’s word to you? Please explain.
  • Obedience is not simply a one-off, it is ongoing; and for believers it means taking on a lifestyle that distinguishes us from that of the world. Can you think of one way you are influenced by the corruption of the world? And what would it take to resist that influence? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer: For Holy Thought

O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

__________

“Christ Be All Around Me” – All Sons & Daughters

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 27 Jun 2019 – James 1:1-11 ~ Faith and Endurance

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – James 1:1-11 (NLT)

Greetings from James

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.

Greetings!

Faith and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Faith and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy.
– James 1:2 –

Today we begin reading the Letter of James, written by the Apostle James (a leader of the Church in Jerusalem) to Jewish converts living outside of Israel.

The primary purpose of the letter is to strengthen the faith and loyalty of Jewish converts to Christianity in the face of antagonism and persecution from religious Jews. In this regard, the letter of James offers practical advice to all Christian converts on how to live godly lives in the face of hostility from their unbelieving families and former associates.

He begins by urging a change of attitude toward our troubles – “consider it an opportunity for great joy.” Why? Because God uses trials to shape believers into people that will glorify Himself. How does that work?

+ Troubles produce endurance
+ Endurance produces maturity
+ Maturity produces contentment

Are you confused by James’ admonition? Then ask God for wisdom – and trust in God alone, by faith, to give it to you.

Questions for consideration:

  • How do you view your current the troubles? As an opportunity for great joy? Or something else? Please explain.
  • What do you think is the difference between asking God for wisdom, and asking God for help? Please explain.
  • What temptations do you face to divide your loyalty between faith is in God alone, and faith in something else? Please explain.
  • Do you consider yourself a stable, or unstable, believer? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer:

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Is He Worthy?” – Chris Tomlin

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen