The Daily Dose

Fervent prayer

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

I really appreciate how James uses Elijah (who was one of the greatest prophets of all time) in this passage as an example because he was a person like us and had a nature like every person does. However, he prayed fervently that it would not rain and then again that it would rain and God answered his prayers.

Today’s verse is talking about praying effectively and fervently and being righteous.  This is the prayer of faith spoken of in verse 15.  So, let’s unpack these characteristic so we can see how to have an effective prayer life.  First of all, the effective prayer starts with a righteous man.  We know that according to Romans 3:10 that there is none righteous, not even one.  Isaiah said our righteousness is like filthy rags.  So how do we become righteous?  The answer is in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that says: God the Father made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, so we could become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  Only in our salvation in the blood of Jesus can we be made righteous.  There is nothing outward we can do to cleanse our self, other than receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Now let’s talk about fervent.  What is that?  So fervent is actually passionate, intense, sincere, no kidding serious prayer.  This is not the begging and pleading kind of prayer although requests are certainly made during fervent prayer.  We can look at how Elijah prayed to see just what fervent prayer looks like.  Frist of all, Elijah prayed what God told him would happen.  1 Kings 18:1 says that God told Elijah to go tell the king that rain was coming.  However, at the end of the chapter in verse 42 we see Elijah bowing down on the ground and putting his face between his knees.  It doesn’t say in this verse what he prayed, but James says he prayed earnestly for rain and the heavens gave it.  Lastly, consider that Elijah spoke God’s words to king Ahab that it was going to rain.  Once that was spoken, you can be sure Elijah was praying that God would come through.  His effective fervent prayer was based on God’s word that it would rain.

Today I want to encourage you to consider fervent prayer as a position of humility, backed by God’s Word by one who has be made righteous by the blood of Jesus.  This is where to start.  Write down what God is speaking to your heart about your circumstances and what He is showing you in His written Word that He will do.  Seek out and be listening for where the Holy Spirit is leading.  Then begin to pray fervently for your answer to show up . . . the answer that God has already shown you in His Word.  When the subject comes up whether in conversation of just in thought, speak the word God gave you about the situation and continue to thank Him for the Word that He gave.  Then keep watch.  Just as Elijah sent his servant to check for clouds, you keep watching for evidence that God is moving, and your answer is on its way.  Remember that God is faithful and will always keep His promise to you.  It’s up to you to pray it out fervently.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 5:13-18

What does the farmer do?

Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  James 5:7

What does the farmer/planter do?  First, he prepares the ground to receive the seed he is going to put into it.  He does this by cultivating, watering and fertilizing it.  Next, he puts the seed in the ground.  After that, he doesn’t just walk away and come back in three months to get his harvest.  He nurtures, protects and invests his time and energy into that seed especially after it become a living plant.  He waters it if there is no rain, he makes sure no weeds choke it and he guards it so no animals or insects come to eat or destroy it.

Today’s passage say that we are to be patient while waiting and watching for the LORD’s return, just like the farmer waits for his precious fruit.  James goes on to tell us how to do this.  He say’s to be patient (at peace while you wait and watch) and establish your heart or attach it to God!  Don’t grumble and complain against each other because your actions are counting toward eternity. . . good or bad.  Then he finishes this by saying above everything, do not swear or make a vow by heaven or earth with an oath or promise but rather do and say what you actually have in your heart.  In other words, be a person of your word.  This is your reputation.  So that others know you can be trusted.

Today I want to encourage you to be a farmer.  Wait and watch patiently for the LORD’s return.  As you watch for Him, attend to the seeds you have planted in others and nurture them by walking through life and encouraging those that are patiently watching too.  We are not to just hold on and hold our breath until He gets here, we are to occupy more land/territory and bring more lives into the kingdom of heaven.  Not just because we love our Heavenly Father, but because we love those around us too. This is how we truly express God’s love, by genuinely loving others.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 5:7-12

Seek first

You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.  James 5:5

James chapter 5 starts out with a profoundly serious warning that I think I must have read over all the times I have read this book.  It’s an admonishing to the rich and corrupt in this world to first of all recognize that the things of this world are rotting away.  Secondly that these things will testify against them on the day of judgement.  It’s a reprimand against heaping up treasure in this life.  It ends up by saying those who live this way will be responsible for the lives they had influence over and didn’t lead them in the ways of righteousness (vs. 6).

So, how does this apply to us today?  Well, I’m taking it as a warning to not chase after material things.  Although I like nice things and have many of them, they are not what I am pursuing in life.  Maybe I should say, things should not be my purpose for living.  So, I ask myself each morning, “what am I pursuing today?  Am I looking for those around me that I can encourage and minister to?  Am I making it my goal to significantly impact at least one life each day for eternity?”  I am endeavoring to not become distracted by the “pretty” things in this world and focusing instead on the eternal.  It is not always easy, in fact, it is much easier to see and desire what is right here within reach.

Today I want to encourage you to seek the things that are above that will not fade and rot away.  Look for lives to touch each day for the kingdom of heaven.  Put away the desire for things and possession.  Although it is not bad to have nice things, endeavor to keep them in their proper place and low on the priority list.  Seek first God’s kingdom and then He will add the things to you that you need and desire.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 5:1-6

What is your life?

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:15

Lately I’ve been asking myself “What goals do I want to accomplish in my lifetime?”  I’m not talking about a bucket list of activities that I want to do before I die.  I’m talking about life achievements.  What purpose did I serve while on this earth?  I am a wife and a mother and certainly those are great accomplishments.  They also hold eternal value if done right.  However, I’m talking about a life goal that I am continuously working toward for the duration of my stay here.

I’m using today’s verse as a motivation to recognize the limited amount of time we are here in this world.  In fact, this life is the shortest thing we will ever do as an eternal child of God.  It says life is like a vapor or a fog that vanishes away with the morning sun.  I have come to the decision that I want my greatest accomplishment to be helping others.  Whether it’s introducing some to Jesus, walking through life’s struggles or simply standing in prayer for them, I want my life to focus on others not on myself, which is quite a challenge as you can imagine.  Mostly, what I want my life goal to be is to help people discover their significant purpose for being on planet earth!  We all have a purpose and it is up to each one of us to seek it out.

Today I want to encourage you to set a life goal.  Think about what it is that you want to accomplish before your earthly life is through.  Ask the Holy Spirit for some direction and ask for your heavenly father to put His desire in your heart for all He has planned for you here.  Make this life count for all eternity by living beyond yourself in this world.

Today’s scripture reading: James 4:13-17

Not my job

There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12

Have you ever been around people that you felt needed correction?  Maybe in their believes or their interpretation of scripture?  Maybe it was just in their everyday walk of life?  I recently had this experience.  I thought that the LORD had brought a certain individual into my life so I could “help” them.  It turned out that I was the one that needed help.  I could see so plainly areas that they needed to change in their own life that were obvious blind spots to them.  I actually tried many times to gently point these areas out.  (Even not so gently a time or two)  I was beginning to feel some stress over it, so I began to pray about it.  I wanted to know the best way to handle the situation and asked God for wisdom to help that individual.  I really thought it was the reason this person was in my life.  Finally, after praying diligently for some time, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I don’t need to fix everyone.  In fact, It’s not my job to fix people.  My job is to love people. (Romans 13:8) Of course! But how was I going to love this person and not be irritated by their words and attitude every time I was around them.  The answer was simple.  Pray for them.  Oh, why didn’t I think of that?  It worked almost immediately.  I began to pray for them.  I started by praying that I wouldn’t be irritated with them and that they would be in step with God’s plan for their life.  I prayed that I would love them as a Christian and encourage them in their walk with the LORD.  It was pretty much miraculous the change that happened in my heart.  On top of it all I actually felt free.  Even if they did say something that used to rub me the wrong way (unknowingly) It didn’t bother me anymore.  I didn’t feel like I needed to make them see where they were wrong, and I just felt like God would take care of it.

Today’s verse talks about judging one another.  It is not what God wants us to do.  He didn’t make us to be the judge of each other, He made us to be family with other believers.  Our only job now is to love each other, encourage one another and pray for each other.  God is working on them and showing them the areas where they need to grow the same way He is working on me.  To think that I have arrived or no longer need to grow would be asinine!  We all need to grow because none are perfect and if we are not growing, we should take time to look at where we are missing it.

Today I want to encourage you not to be a judge of others.  Recognize that we all have room to grow and we are here to help one another not correct each other.  We walk through this life with other believers to encourage and pray for each other not to fall into the traps of the world.  God will point out where we need to grow.  It is up to us as individuals to listen to what He is saying.  So, the next time you find yourself criticizing some one else for the way they are doing something, recognize that you are the only one that you can change and pray for them instead!

Today’s scripture reading: James 4:11-12

Get close

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  James 4:8

God’s not unreasonable.  He doesn’t require some outlandish things from us to get close to Him. Do you even want to be close to God?  Did you know it is up to you how close you are to Him?  I’m sure we would all say “yes!  I would love to be close to God.”  The fact is that we can be as close to God as we choose to be.  Just as our relationships here in the world require us to invest time and energy into them, that is the same way we get close to God.  We invest special time that we specifically set aside to spend getting to know Him.  It’s not about just reading the bible and going through a list of needs with Him. It is about worship and love.  Spending time giving honor and glory to Him and being thankful for all He has done to make Himself available to us. Yet, how many of us are willing to set aside time to really press into Him?  How many of us really want to know Him?  Not just know about Him or have ideas about Him, but who would take the time to study and spend time learning from Him and His Word and being thankful for all His blessing.

It’s easy to get stuck in the habit of reading a portion of scripture, thanking God for the day and for our food, but never going any deeper with Him.  Today’s verse promises that when we drew near to God, He will get closer to us.  It’s like when we take a step toward God, He takes a step toward us.  The closer we get, the closer He gets.  He doesn’t force Himself and He doesn’t ignore us.  God knows everything about us and yet He still wants to walk with us through each day.  He also wants to make Himself known to us.  He has given us an entire book about who He is and His character of goodness and love.  He is not trying to hide Himself or His plans from us, He wants us to walk out the path He has planned for us so He can get His greatest blessings to us.

 Here’s the thing:  God already made the first move, now He is waiting for us to respond.  1 John 4:19 says that we love Him because He loved us first.  The way to be close to God is to recognize the depth of His love for you and know that He desires a personal relationship with you.  He set this life up so that we could carry His Holy Spirit with us wherever we go, to be our personal guide each day.  He desires for us to talk to, trust and follow all that He is leading us to so that we can be successful and enjoy this life to it’s greatest potential.

Today I want to encourage you to spend time with your Heavenly Father. I know we all have our time when we read God’s Word each day and conveniently check if off the list as done  However, this time take it a step further and talk to Him about what you have read and how you can apply it in your life today?  Take time to personally connect with Him through praise, worship, thanksgiving and then listen for anything He may be speaking to your heart.  He has a good plan for you today, but it is up to you to get the plan.

Today’s scripture reading: James 4:7-10

Internal struggles

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? James 4:1

I believe this passage is talking about warring and fighting in the world today, but I also believe it is about internal and spiritual conflict on a personal level.  It seems that all external conflict stem from an internal discontentment.  Whether its world wars, neighborhood disputes, family conflict or personal dissatisfaction, they all go back to the heart and attitude of individuals.  Think about it this way, in any conflict, there is a warring party and a defensive party.  In an internal conflict there is self-seeking vs. righteousness or what is right.  Usually it is all about one side getting what they want at the expense of the other side.

So how does this apply personally?  The passage says you lust, murder and covet but you cannot obtain what you are after.  This results in a continual discontentment.   Then the writer goes on to say you don’t have because you don’t ask God.  If you do ask God, you don’t have because you are asking for your own selfish gain. This is interesting because it implies that James is talking to Christians and yet he is talking about things like lust and murder.  So even though there are many out there that profess to be children of God, they are involved in conflicts and wars both externally and internally.

 Well, this answers some questions.  Why don’t we always get what we ask from God?  It says, friendship with the world is enmity with God (actively opposing God)  It’s why verse 6 says that God resists the proud. This is so important to grasp.  I cannot expect God to answer my prayers as long as I am actively pursuing the things of the world. It indicates that the root is pride and God has no part of it.

So now we come to the question, what is friendship with the world?  Does it mean having friends that are not Christians?  Does it mean going to events that are hosted by unsaved people?  Does it mean supporting non-Christian business?  No!  Friendship with the world simply means that you are more focused on being successful in the worlds eyes than you are in God’s.  This is where true internal conflict comes from, but there is an answer to this plague of discontent.  The solution is to humble yourself and make Jesus the Lord of your life, not just your Savior.  When He becomes your LORD, you willingly turn all things over to Him and commit to live your life by His ways and plans.  The only thing you will be concerned about is if you are living life His way and loving others.

Today I want to encourage you to turn your life over to your Heavenly Father and make Jesus your LORD and Savior.  Even if you have already accepted Him into your heart and life, decide today that you are laying down all your desires to pick up His.  Success is not bad, it is only what you do with it that becomes a problem.  If you are out for only your glory, you will struggle continuously to keep it.  Let Jesus take over and you will receive the contentment and joy that your heart has been longing for.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 4:1-6

Look for His peace

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  James 3:17&18

Are you wise?  Do you have understanding?  This passage in James 3 say if you are, it is seen in your conduct and that your works are done in humility with wisdom and discernment.  In contrast if your behavior displays bitterness, envy/jealousy and self-seeking, these actions are demonic and bring confusion and every evil thing.  (not so good)  Here’s the good news . . . it’s up to you, you are in control. Do you want confusion and turmoil in your life?  Do you want chaos and stress?  Certainly not, I don’t think any of us desire to go through life in chaos and confusion.  The blessed life includes peace and clear direction.  Today, you can choose.  In fact, you have been choosing all along in your life, you just may not have realized it.  Your actions are speaking for you.  Humility and looking out for others is wisdom.  Bitterness and self-seeking brings confusion and every evil work. Which is your attitude?

Peace is one of God’s fruit, so it is obvious that where there is peace, God is at the center.  The secret is that peace starts in your heart.  It is not something you can control in your external circumstances.  Oh, it may look like you are keeping your “world” under control through manipulation and maneuvering.  However, true peace is on the inside of a person and remains there no matter what the external circumstances are.  Isaiah 26:3 says God will keep you in perfect peace when you keep your mind stayed on Him, because you trusts in Him.  You can attain and hold on to peace by keeping your focus on God and His plan for your life and the world.  It’s not a secret what God is doing, it’s good and it is all in His Word.  God has always let His people in on what He is doing and He always will.  It is up to us to look for it and know.  Know it so deeply that we cannot be shaken by an external crisis’.

Lastly, Psalms 34:14 says to depart from evil and do good;  Seek peace and pursue it. Peace should be our pursuit in life.  Not pleasure, not things and not power.  The peace of God’s plan and ways are what we go after each day.  By spending time alone with God and His Word each day, His peace will fill you up and propel you through the day.  Worship and love Him and go the direction of peace.

Today I want to encourage you to choose peace and display it in your actions. Put on humility and wisdom to navigate the day.  No matter what is going on around you, decide that you are going to bring peace into every situation you enter.  Through wisdom and understanding, with meekness and humility, let the wisdom of God guide you into all peace and take others with you.  Be proactive and pursue peace, then you will depart from evil and do what is right!

Today’s scripture reading:  James 3:13-18

What are you speaking

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. James 3:4

We all go through various “storms” in this life, yet we all navigate through them in completely different ways.  Some use logic, some move by fear and others panic.  Today’s scripture talks about how to stay on course when facing the storms and struggles of life.  The good news is, it is possible to navigate through life’s turmoil without being knocked off course?  The solution is very simple, but not so easy to do. However, it is completely within your control.  This may surprise you, but the decision is up to you.  Maybe you are feeling, even now, like you have no control.  With new fear gripping the world each day it feels like we have less control than ever.  Still, you do have a choice.  You can choose your words.  Who will you give them to?  Your words are a gift that you and only you can decide how to use them.

Today’s scripture talks about our tongue/words and how even though the tongue is such a small part of our body, it dictates the direction we are heading.  Yikes!  James compares it to putting a bit in a horse’s mouth or the small rudder that completely controls the steering of a large ship.  Your words are what is controlling the direction of your life, not the government and not the current crisis.  

The words you speak are turning your life either in the direction of wisdom or the direction of your enemy.  You can look at it this way.  When you speak, you are choosing to step in agreement with good or with evil.  I would even go so far as to say that your words speak whose side you are on, the world’s side or God’s side.  Are you agreeing with the latest headlines and statistics?  Or do you watch over your words to only speak the truth of God’s Word and what He says not only in your days of crisis, but everyday.

What it comes down to is faith or fear.  If I continue to speak the things that I am afraid of, I am turning the “ship” of my life to head in that direction.  I am keeping my focus on the storm and heading straight into it.  If I choose to speak the overriding truth of God’s Word in the situation, I am heading towards a smoother ride and the goodness of God is getting closer.  I fix my focus onto the solution in God’s Word and turn my life in faith to stand in agreement with it, instead of the trouble. 

 Today I want to encourage you to navigate through life’s storms by carefully choosing the words you are speaking.  Don’t get caught up in the criticizing, complaining and venting that is happening all around you.  Mostly, don’t add to the fear of a situation by repeating the latest bad reports and derision.  These details are all subject to change and are changing every day.   Become part of the solution not part of the problem.  Speak your words of faith in God’s love and protection to those around you!  What is God saying in the storm?  He never changes and His Word is true!  God your Father loves you!  He will protect and keep you from evil.  Speak it boldly!  Know that He has the power and the desire to keep you safe under the shelter of His love.  He will do it through your faith filled words!

Today’s scripture reading:  James 3:1-12

Action is evidence

Now someone may argue, Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds. James 2:18

This is not a salvation issue although if you think about it, when you received your salvation, you believed by faith and then added the action of asking Jesus into your heart to be your LORD and Savior.  When you heard the messaged that Jesus came to save you, you didn’t get salvation until you acted/asked.  So salvation is actually an example of putting action behind your faith in God to produces results.

Today’s scripture is talking about ministering to the needs of others.  The word love might be a better word to use for works.  When you see someone is hurting or struggling, your faith goes into action in the form of compassion or love.  If you see them and do nothing, no faith was applied to the situation and no love was demonstrated.  The passage says that if you acknowledge the need of a person but do nothing, there was no faith involved.  Notice, prayer isn’t mentioned in this passage.  So if you see a need, by faith you are to meet that need. Not pray about it, not wonders if you should do something about it and certainly not ignore it.  This kind of faith is where you must trust God that if you help someone through a problem, He will provide for you.  As you give of your substance, God replenishes your resources so you can give some more. 

Action is the very evidence of faith.  Hebrews 11:1 says Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  According to this scripture, faith is substance that is seen in the physical world in your action of helping someone.  You give substance of some kind to meet the need.  Whether its food, shelter/clothing or money, the giving of it is the substance or evidence of your faith.  The act may not be seen by anyone, but still substance was ministered and faith exhibited.  I hope this is helpful to you to see that your faith is worth as much as you give into the needs of others or help them in some way to get through their struggles.

Today I want to encourage you to show your faith by your actions.  To pull back or turn away is to show your fear/apathy, but to reach out, displays your faith.  It doesn’t take faith to run away, but it does to give.  Give of yourself and everything you have today to help, encourage and propel others through obstacles they may be facing and give substance/action to your faith.

Today’s scripture reading: James 2:14-26