What do you ask for?
What do you lack?
Which comes first, talk or hearing?
Do you ever wonder how to hear what God has to say? Certain Bible apps, studies/services at church, Christian radio streaming, podcasts, videos and websites are available. Peace comes in faith, by prioritizing and establishing regularity to hear what Jesus has done for us and all the reasons why it’s important. If we tune out God’s Word, we lack the Source of Life. Utilizing the Word’s guidance in relating to each other leads us to strive to—not react poorly—in patience, respond kindly. Everyone in our world, potentially, may be weak, vulnerable, proud or pushy. Truth in Christ flows compassionately, no matter what we’re going through or have previously experienced. God wants us to ask Him for the wisdom we need at all times.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. … Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:5-6,17
James 1:19-20
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| Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 |
Doing what’s right is to meekly see we’ve failed to do what’s right.
What opportunities are lost when we’re quick to speak before listening, thinking and praying? Having closed ears to another’s story or ideas cuts off meaningful communication. Harsh, unhelpful negativity would turn people away from Truth.
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! … no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. … Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:5,8-9,13-18
The spirit of repentance is received by the faith the Holy Spirit
supplies. Christ blesses with forgiveness, comfort and courage. The faith of a person who gets into the Word
of God is living and active. Faith’s seed produces all types of fruits that help and care for
people. Good actions don’t make people right with God, Jesus does.
Although true faith in Christ is invisible, it shows up in the healthy
activities of life.
James 4:6
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| But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 |
True or false?
Although we don’t always see it, God knows the full extent of what’s at war with the faith. The present darkness of the world and our sinful passions stir up the kind of deceptive trouble that destroys souls. Human nature is so off that it could even go as far as to claim to use the faith as an excuse for bad behaviors such as tyrannizing or manipulating others out of arrogance and blame-shifting to avoid repentance. Sin shows up, big time, as mismanaged priorities. Rude talk as well as pick-and-choose Scripture out-of-context to serve selfish desires abuses God’s good commands. Engaging in quarrels is a waste of time that creates distressing chaos and distracts from the joy of life.
Truth encourages us to take an honest look inside ourselves, resist the devil by acknowledging what is sin—not to revel in it, but mourn it—then, humbly receive God’s mercy and grace with gratitude. Jesus provides the calm peace to those who ask Him for wisdom.
Let God lift you up.
Do you set daily reminders? Why not establish a routine Bible and prayer time to thank God for what He has done in Christ. In the faith, we’re free to personally and along with others in congregation, confess sin and ask the Lord for forgiveness. The Lord hears prayer requests for motivation to stay turned toward Him as well as inspiration to effectively help and offer grace to others. All the spiritual gifts are ours by showing up to participate at places, with other sinners who are praying and growing, where Jesus offers Himself, perfectly, in order to perfect worshipers by forgiving and strengthening us to move forward with a grateful heart. During good times and each difficulty—even in the toughest of situations that we don’t understand—blessings of Jesus are working on our virtues, also, on the character of others.
When our ungrateful wayward mind/voice/action wanders where we know it shouldn’t go, utilizing the power given to us in prayer, our goal is to intentionally stop heading down that path. When we turn toward God in mindful prayer, we know He walks us where we need to be. We trust He spiritually carries and protects us. Habitual prayers request things like discernment, forgiveness, strength, unity and opportunities. It’s good to know our compassionate Lord desires to hear concerns and desires. The Holy Spirit moves us to pray for excellent things such as humility of faith, that He would
remove our wanting what’s wrong, faulty thinking, greedy ambition, grudges and
resentment. Apologetic and prayers for direction can continuously be flowing. Faith keeps us wanting to remember others in prayer: family, friends, congregation, church, education and community. We may ask for courage to let the joy of the faith in Jesus, bubble up and overflow onto those around us. We can pray for insight on how to comfort (and be comforted), encourage (and be encouraged), uplift (and be uplifted). All of us are sinners whom the Holy Spirit has power to move to take positive action. Especially regarding those who’ve wandered away from the truth, we ask for inspiration to participate in ways which would call them back so that sharing the Gospel leaves all grumbling, complaining and concerns at the foot of the cross and the empty grave of Jesus who is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason in light of grace and mercy.
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:7-11
Farmers are patient in certain aspects they manage as it relates to
the business of crop production while weather,
machinery glitches and market conditions aren’t theirs to control. Even though we aren’t responsible to control everything, we may pray for ourselves
and one another. Our unreliable, irresponsible, cold, unkind,
self-righteous, partial, sour attitudes may be turned toward the Light for forgiveness and patience. Energy of the Gospel produces good fruit that doesn’t push people around or away, but serves their souls hope and nourishment for growth.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:13-15
James 5:16
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| Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 |
In Christ we’re firm in purpose, striving to be honest, affectionate, merciful and patient.
In this world, though we expect trouble, there’s wonderful opportunity to abide in the One who is perfect. We can pray over all the strains of suffering. Calling the pastor and friends in the Church for prayers isn’t putting attention on ourselves as much as putting ourselves in God’s hands and trusting Him and His people. Whatever the Good Lord decides, is what is best for those who love Him—ourselves and those in our circles whom suffering affects. Asking others to pray for us points them toward Christ and reminds them of the privilege to talk to God. Sharing needs and prayers allows the Light to shine in dark corners.
Focus on what we have been given.
Contentment and joy are rewards of the faith’s certainty. Jesus is the one and only judge. He lovingly hears prayers spoken in the faith. He mercifully cares for all people. His perfection through suffering completely erases he debt of sin we owe. He’s redeemed me and others who believe. Receiving His gracious gifts empower us to trust Him completely. Absolutely nothing we do adds to His work for us which absolves us from the responsibility of sin and it’s consequences. Our Creator Jesus is always working within us to perfect our faith, making us mindful of the excellent big picture He’s preparing for us. Abiding in Truth—acknowledging that when He returns, His power will destroy all that He declares is evil—believers are provided ability, through His Word, to be heard in prayer and trust His beautiful plan. Delighted to hear the Gospel spoken, we strive to live in the Light’s peace which surpasses understanding. The Father designed us to be Christ’s own subjects, by the Holy Spirit’s faith, held safely forgiven in the Masterpiece. He colorfully draws us into Himself as a perfected mix in Christ’s glorious humility. We’re a creative work-in-progress yet to be revealed. Compassionately, God will fully unite those throughout the ages who fear, love and trust Him. We’ll be together with Jesus—having tears wiped away for eternity. As He promised, because we are in Christ, we, too, shall never see death.
More on the Letter of James
