Tag Archive | James

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 326

Nov22

    Day 326—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 326 – James 1 – 5 (Faith, wisdom, the Word, works, the tongue, worldliness, prayer)

James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church, writes to believing Jews living outside of Israel. His letter is rich in practical ways to live a life of faith.

James 1.

Be joyful when you experience trials, for they strengthen your faith. Ask God for the wisdom you need, and He will give it. Temptation is not from God but from your own sinful desires. Don’t just hear the teaching of the word, but work it out as well. Watch your tongue! True “religion” is shown by visiting orphans and widows and keeping yourself unstained by worldly things.

James 2.

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ show no partiality to the rich. Even if you are “righteous” in all other ways, this is lawbreaking.  Mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith without actions is dead faith. Yes, it is great that you believe, but even demons do that. Show your inner faith by how you live.  Check out the actions and faith of Abraham and Rahab in the Old Testament.

James 3.

Teachers, beware, for you will be judged with greater strictness.  “Be careful little tongue, what you say!”  Bits in horses’ mouths and rudders on ships control them.  YOU must control your speech.  What you say can be a scorching fire from hell, a world of unrighteousness, a restless evil full of deadly poison. Watch your tongue!  Remember, true wisdom is from God. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  Your good conduct will show you have this wisdom.

James 4.

Control your passions!  They will cause fights, quarrels, dissatisfactions, and even murders.  They make your prayers foolish, desiring things to lavish on yourself.   God gives grace to the humble, so submit yourselves to God.  Resist the devil and his ways…and he will flee from you. Draw near instead to God, who will respond.  Again, humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.  Don’t boast about tomorrow. Who knows anything about tomorrow?  Commit it all to the Lord.  And it’s a sin if you know the right thing to do, and you don’t do it.

James 5.

Don’t boast or have confidence in riches. They won’t help you on judgment day.  Be patient in your work for the Lord.  You know He is coming; work patiently till then and don’t grumble.  Let all your praying be done by faith. Whether praying for the sick or a sinning brother, your prayer of faith accomplishes much. Remember how Elijah prayed, and there was NO rain. Then he prayed again, and there was an abundance of rain.  If any one of you strays from the truth, bring him back. His soul will be saved and his sins covered.

A month’s worth of daily prayers from James

Nov2

A way to use scripture to direct my heart to Him each day in prayer. (Copy and print them out in two columns, fold over and put in your Bible for your quiet times.)

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  1. Help me to joyfully thank You for trials and testing today, knowing that they produce patience and spiritual maturity in me. (1:2-4)
  1. Remind me to confidently ask for wisdom and help in trials, knowing that you will give it. (1:5)
  1. Strengthen my faith, keep me from doubting Your promises. (1:6-7)
  1. Help me recognize and resist the temptations that come from my own flesh and from the world. (1:13-14, 27 b)
  1. Thank You for all the good and perfect gifts You give me. (1:17)
  1. Thank You for being unchangeable, steadfast and faithful. (1:17)
  1. Help me to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. (1:19)
  1. Thank You for saving me! (1:21 b)
  1. Help me to truly hear and obey Your word, and not just study it intellectually. (1:22-25)
  1. Keep me from sinning with my words today. (1:26)
  1. Show me how to demonstrate Your love and compassion to the sick and needy today.  (1:27)
  1. Keep me from showing partiality to others for what it will profit me. (2:1-7)
  1. Help me to demonstrate love for others by my actions. Show me how to be merciful and kind. (2:12-13)
  1. Teach me to give generously to the needy. (2:15-16)
  1. Keep me from being proud of my salvation. Remind me that faith is a gift and not something that I have worked for. (2:19-23)
  1. In my desire to teach others, protect me from error, and keep me from arrogant pride. (3:1-2a)
  1. Teach me how to bridal my tongue, knowing that I am otherwise useless to You. (3:3-4)
  1. Remind me how much evil and hurt my words can do to others. May my words today contain only blessings and affirmation. (3:5-10)
  1. Give me a wise and understanding heart. Let Your perfect wisdom guide every decision. (3:13)
  1. Cleanse me of bitterness, jealousy, and selfish ambition. (3:14-16)
  1. Help me be open to reason, peaceful, gentle, sincere, and full of good fruit and works. (3:1 7-18)
  1. Keep me from a quarrelsome attitude. (4:1-2)
  1. Teach me how to pray unselfishly.(4:3)
  1. Show me how to humble myself before You today. Thank You for your promise of grace. (4:6-10)
  1. Keep me from speaking evil of fellow believers, from criticizing or belittling them. (4:11-12)
  1. Help me always to seek Your will before making plans for the day and to wait patiently for Your direction. (4:13-16)
  1. Help me to do the right thing, even if it is hard or costly or humbling. (4:17)
  1. Keep me from loving money. Instead, focus my eyes on Your faithfulness and care for me. (5:1-3)
  1. Help me to be content in every hard situation and trial, and to rest in Your promises and presence. (5:7-11)
  1. Help my words to always be trustworthy. Keep me from any lies or deceit. (5:12)
  1. Teach me to pray with faith in all ways and circumstances: joyfully praise You, fervently intercede for others and myself, honestly confess my sins, knowing You hear and answer. (5:13-16)