Just continue with last week’s questions — it is such a good teaching, they left it up so you can listen again or tell friends about it. And Lord willing, we will continue on to lesson 4 next week. Here is the link:
Last week’s teaching will remain available until next Tuesday Feb 7.
- Jan 25 link: Here
8 comments
I, for one, am glad to have a second week to absorb all of this.
I know — if she had to cancel, this was a great week to do so!
I am very thankful for this extension! Last week’s lesson was so much to process. I can use a replay every month to dwell on the magnificent gift of faith. I have periodically used the “Thirty-one Days of Praise by Ruth and Warren Myers. Today’s was so encouraging to be reminded again of dependence on Jesus to live out a life of faith.
” Thank you that Jesus demonstrated how I am to live and serve, completely depending on Him as my indwelling Lord, focusing on His life as He walked on earth, and beholding His glory, ‘the glory of the one and only’ who came from You, full of grace and truth. What a delight to know that as I focus on Him, you can transform me into His image by your Spirit within me. You work in me that which is pleasing in Your eyes, You strengthen my heart in every good work and every good word, so that more and more I honor Christ by the way I live.”
I decided this morning to reread the first chapter of James and meditate on it in light of the great teaching we received from Paige last week. As a result I ended up writing a prayer based on James 1. I decided to share it with you as my
take-a-way. I am personally challenged to by this passage of scripture to grow in breaking a cycle of sin that comes from the temptation to react wrongly toward others who cause problems in our church. A big part of this instruction for me is to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. I recognize my need to listen in a way that I see the other person for who they are and where they are in their own situation. Then I need to be very cautious in my responses. That is particularly hard for me. And my anger rises when I am hurt or someone I love is being hurt (like my son, the Pastor). The other thing I am seeking from God is to have wisdom and know more clearly where he would have me serve the needy. I’m not sure what that should look for me at this time in my life. I trust God is working to encourage many of you as well by this teaching. 💕
God my Father and Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You this morning as I consider the teaching and truth found in your Word in the book of James. Together you are worthy of all praise and adoration for Who you are and for the works you do. Your are a generous and giving God. Every good and perfect gift comes from you the Father of lights, the God of all creation.
I thank you for the word of truth that by your own will you implanted into my heart and life.
You have done a great work on my behalf and I have the promise of you doing a good work in my life that will produce joy even as trials come to test my faith in You. As I grip on to You my God in faith then steadfastness becomes mine and it results in my maturity being fulfilled so that I lack nothing.
Father, I know I lack wisdom so I ask you for the wisdom I need in navigating through the trials and tests of life. My enemy would seek to destabilize my life and undermine my faith in you causing me to doubt. But I look to You my generous God who never accuses or belittles me in any way but your giving never stops from providing the wisdom I ask for.
It doesn’t matter if I am poor because I have You. And if I am rich that means nothing because in the end the riches will all go away and the only thing that will matter is that I have You. Also it really matters that I remain steadfast under my trials. Not a stoic I am going to get through it kind of thinking but steadfast in my faith in You to bring me to receive that crown of life that has been promised me because I love you.
Lord I look to you and ask you to forgive any doubts and fears that crowd my life and to protect me from that cycle of sin that would destroy any good work it would please you to do in me and through me. I look to you to deliver me from the temptations that come to draw me away from your perfect ways. God I confess I am slow to hear, quick to speak and prone to get angry and be a hinderance to your righteous ways. Lord forgive me. I desire and ask for the resolve needed to receive and implement your word and its wonderful truths and save my soul from its sinning ways. Let me be a doer of your words as I hear them taught. Keep me from deceiving myself in any way to think I have achieved a religious standing of any kind that is worthless but is just full of talk. My “religion” better said my faith in You shows itself by seeing and meeting needs of those who are most needy in your eyes. Father please keep me from being marked and influenced by the ways of this world. Lead me into practicing a pure religion so that I may be blessed in the doing of it. To go hand in hand with you God is a tremendous blessing.
I thank you for the book of James. It was and is a tremendous gift to the church, the Body of Christ. Let me continue to look into your Word and persevere until you come. Even so Come quickly Lord Jesus.
Thank you for that prayer, Bev.
This is how we should all pray, using Scripture as our guide. Thanks, Bev.
I love this, Bev! I love using Scripture as a springboard to prayers and am thankful for your excellent example here.
Wonderful prayer Bev! Thank you for writing it.