praying effectively: Seek Out Right Motives (James 4:1-17)

(James 4:1-17)  What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we resist the devil (4:7)

- that we do not judge or speak against others (4:11-12)

- that we are remorseful and sad when we do sin (4:9)

- that we turn away from sin (4:8)

- that we humble ourselves before God (4:10)

- that we submit to God (4:7)

- that we draw near to God (4:8)

- that we should ask God for things with the right motives (4:1-3)

- that as we make plans, do not boast, but know that it is all in God's hands whether it will happen or not (4:13-15)

- that we should do what we know is right (4:17)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sovereignty.  You are the just Lawgiver and Judge, and nothing happens without You allowing it to happen.  Why would we not want to be on Your side???  

Forgive our prideful attitudes of trying to be in control or trying to get our own way.  Help us to put into practice the things that we know are right.  May everything we say and do be focused on You, and be focused on building up Your kingdom, not tearing it down.  

Guide us to grow closer to You, knowing that when we depend on You for everything, the more blessings and joy we receive.   Help us to fully submit to You, trusting that when we are obedient to Your will, things do work out for the best, in ways we cannot imagine.  Amen.

praying effectively: Seek Accountability (James 3:1-18,5:19-20)

(James 3:1-18)  Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

(James 5:19-20)  My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we are careful whom we allow to be teachers, as there should be a higher standard (3:1)

- that we are not arrogant with selfish ambitions or with bitter jealousy (3:14)

- that we are wise and understanding (3:13)

- that we do not teach anything but the truth, which is wisdom from above (3:14-15)

- that we make peace with others to demonstrate God's righteousness (3:18)

- that we teach what is peaceable, while being peaceable (3:17)

- that we teach others to not be hypocritical, while trying to not to be hypocritical (3:17)

- that we teach others to produce fruit of the Spirit, while producing fruit of the Spirit (3:17)

- that we teach steadfastness, while being steadfast (3:17)

- that we teach what is reasonable, while being reasonable (3:17)

- that we teach purity, while striving to be pure (3:17)

- that we teach gentleness, while being gentle (3:17)

- that we teach mercy, while being full of mercy (3:17)

- that we do good deeds with good behavior, wisdom and gentleness (3:13)

- that we share the good news with others, knowing that this is to save them from eternal death (5:19-20)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for eternal life that we have, through faith in You.  As children of God, help us to be just like our heavenly Father.  Give us Your wisdom and understanding into Your will and Your word, so that we may not only share the gospel message, but teach others Your truth, with accuracy.  

Help us not to be afraid to keep each other accountable, so that we will honorably live out what we believe and what we teach.  All to Your glory, amen.

praying effectively: Serve (James 2:14-26)

(James 2:14-26)  What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we show our faith through works, putting our belief into action (2:14-18)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for salvation through faith.  Thank You for working on our hearts to change us from the inside out.  Guide us and inspire us to serve, not because we have to, but because we want to... because we love You, and we should be showing Your love to others.  

Convict the hearts of those around us see the fruit of the Spirit, and the proof of You in our lives.  Open doors for us to share the gospel message, in Your strength and in Your love.  All to Your glory, amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Show Partiality (James 2:1-13)

(James 2:1-13)  My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor [of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we do not favor the rich over the poor, or favor someone who will be a benefit us, making distinctions among ourselves with evil motives (2:1-4)

- that we love our neighbors as ourselves (2:8)

- that we speak and act with pure motives, in God's will (2:12)

- that we show mercy (2:13)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for loving all people without distinction.  You paid the price for everyone's sins, whether they accepted You as a personal Savior or not.  Help us to see everyone with Your eyes.  Guide us to show Your grace and mercy to those around us.  May we allow You to work in and through our hearts, so that our desire is to say and do everything with pure motives.  All to Your glory, amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Be Deceived (James 1:16-27)

(James 1:16-27)  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that God takes care of His children, and the blessings which we receive from Him is all part of His will (1:17-18)

- that the only way to become children of God is to put aside all sin and humble ourselves to ask Jesus into our hearts (1:21)

- that we pursue holiness, and don't let the world influence us toward evil (1:27)

- that we are not deceived (1:16)

- that we bridle our tongue (1:26)

- that we are quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (1:19-20)

- that we put into practice what we see in God's word (1:22-25)

- that we visit orphans and widows in their distress (1:27)

Today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank You so much for the blessings that You give us.  Help us realize and appreciate that all good things are from You.  Thank You for Your word, which not only saves us but directs our paths in the way we should go.  Give us wisdom and strength to understand how to effectively apply Your will in our lives.

Protect us from evil, and from being deceived.  Protect us from ourselves.  When facing a dilemma, remind us to ask You for wisdom.  Help us to pray and think through things before we react.  When we see a need, in ourselves or someone else, prompt us and guide us in taking the appropriate steps.  All to Your glory, amen.

praying effectively: Persevere (James1:2-15)

(James 1:2-16)  Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that the believer who is poor should be content and joyful, and see it as a blessing (1:9)

- that the believer who is rich should be humble and realize that this earthly wealth is very temporary (1:10-11)

- that we do not accuse God of tempting us, because temptation comes out of our own lusts, and becomes a sin if we act on it (1:13-15)

- that we stay in God's will as we endure tests and trials, so that we experience the best outcomes possible (1:4)

- that we have joy and see it as a blessing when we go through tests and trials, because it will bring about a stronger faith that is more enduring (1:2-4)

- that we persevere through tests and trials knowing that we will be rewarded in heaven (1:12) 

- that we confidently ask God for wisdom and it will be given to us, but do not doubt when asking (1:5-6)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your provision of wisdom.  Help us to ask for more wisdom with confidence.  We know it is Your will for us to understand, and we know that when we ask for things in Your will, You will answer our prayers.  Guide us in Your truth and strength, through whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.

Help us to experience joy and confidence, no matter what we are going through.  And help us to be content with what we have, so that we will not lust for things we do not have.  Keep us strong and focused on You as we go through good times, as well as tests and trials.  Help our faith to grow stronger in You when faced with challenges, as we rely on You more and more.

Through unwavering faith, may others see Your hand in our lives, and see how much You bless us in so many unexpected ways.  May doors of opportunity be opened because of this.  All to Your glory, amen.

praying effectively: Remain Steadfast (Heb.13:9-15, 22)

(Hebrews 13:9-15)  Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

(Hebrews 13:22)  But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we do not get carried away by contradictory and strange teachings (13:9)

- that we listen to and act on God's words to us (13:22)

- that we seek out Jesus and His sanctification through His death and resurrection (13:12-13)

- that we are strengthened by grace, and not by religious acts (13:9)

- that we continually lift up sacrificial praises to God, and give thanks to His name  (13:15)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your words of life to us.  Give us wisdom so that we can fully understand the words that You have given to us.  Make Your will clearly known to us.

Thank You that You did it all - for us - on the cross - - - so that we do not have to do anything in order to earn salvation - or keep our salvation.  Help us to find strength and confidence in Your amazing grace.  

Guide us to keep seeking after You.  And motivate us and give us a desire to consistently go to a place of worship - to publicly, sacrificially worship You.  We thank You for all things, in Your holy and precious name, amen.