22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 

This is a difficult passage as I imagine it might be for most believers.  I don't most of what I am directed to in the bible and for this I feel shame (even though I shouldn't).  At the same time, I know that God loves me no less and it is a reminder of how great He is....that I am SO imperfect and broken, yet He loves me just the same.

That does not get me off the hook though in that I DO need to do what the word says!!

My prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so full of love and grace for me it is amazing.  I know that I don't do most of what You ask of me so please forgive me Lord.  I know You have forgiven me for past sins and I am deeply thankful for this love and grace that You shower (like a flood!).  Please both purify and strengthen me Lord Jesus.  Please help me grown stronger in my faith so that in my heart and in my actions I am more like You.

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 

Anger is something that I struggle with, particularly with my family but also with my work.


My Prayer: Lord, You listen to me always and You are there always which is amazing because I often scorn You, deny You, and disobey You.  Please forgive me Lord Jesus.  Thank you for Your love and grace for me.  Please rid me of my sin, purify and transform me, and make me more like You.  Help me please be more quick to listen in all circumstances.

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. 

When everything around us here on earth disappoints, we can be sure to look to Christ for a God that does not disappoint and He never will!  As evidence of this, He gives us the word of truth which provides renewal of the mind:

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:2)

My Prayer: Lord, You are greatness and Your gifts to me personally and to us Your children are great.  I think of the beauty of spring and the creation of earth and all that it is and I marvel at Your greatness and Your love of us that You provide this for Your children.  I am not deserving of such love.  I am a broken and sinful person Lord.  Forgive me that I exasperate my children even though You tell me not to...and my sin is SO much more.  Please forgive me Lord and rid me of my sin.  Please purify my heart and my life and transform to be more like You.  Help me glorify You Lord Jesus.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 

While verse 2 is of course the key verse here, another key verse is verse 13:

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 

The key here is recognize that whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, the question we should be asking ourselves is not the extent to which we are being tempted or tested but refined....keeping in mind that God is using the circumstances for HIS glory and wants to better prepare you for HIS plan.

I am reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord, I am in awe of Your great works, whether it is Your natural creation on earth or in me as I have witnessed a true transformation of heart and in my life.  Yet I am not done and I know this.  I know that "perseverance [must] finish its work".  Forgive me for my fear of what trials I am to encounter and help me lean on You alone for strength and faith. 

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

  

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 

Of course I desire a strong faith in the face of evil, which I know exists.  Yet my prayer life is weak.  I have open time throughout the day which I fill with nonsense, and instead I should be filling with prayer.

I am reminded of Ephesians 5:15 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."  This is a warning to not fritter away our time here on earth - which I do.

My Prayer: Lord, Your love and grace for me I know are immense - because I am not deserving due to my sin.  You are deserving of and You command my love - which I don't always do due to my scattering of time.  Please I beg of you to forgive me Lord Jesus.  Rid me of this sin to waste such time...I desire to make the most use of my time here on earth so please help me with this - especially with prayer time Lord Jesus.  Transform my heart and my life and make me Yours in all ways.

7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Ephesians 6

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ⁶ Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.  

I am not a slave but this passage still speaks to me as it should speak to all employees with earthly masters.

I am constantly nagging about this or that about my workplace and bottom line this is not right - even more so, it is sinful.

My Prayer: Lord, I know You have forgiven me for my sins and you will continue to do so but I also know this does not provide me with freedom to continue in sin.  I am thankful for the grace and love You freely give and I am not worthy of it.  Please forgive me for my lack of service to my own employer.  Please rid me of this sinful behavior and help me serve wholeheartedly - that I am to remember that I am serving Christ, not people.  Transform my heart and my life Lord.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word...

Ephesians 5

²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” ³² This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 

I am filled with tension regarding the following verses:

 ²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ > for me this means I should serve the Lord in everything I do - be humble and glorify Him in all of my roles.  This is often difficult for me at work and I often fail here.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. >  for me this means I should prominently play the role of head of the household, particularly in spiritual matters.  In particular this verse:

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word...

My Prayer:   Lord, You are great, holy, and mighty - and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  I am not worthy of such love, grace, and blessing - yet You provide it all the same.  Forgive me please for my weakness in my role as spiritual head of household...help me as Paul says "make [my wife] holy, cleansing her by washing of the word".  Give me strength Lord in this area.  Purify me of my weakness and selfishness and help me glorify You by performing the roles and duties as head of the household as You intend for me and all men.

[M]ake the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul warns us to [M]ake the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  In other words, be on guard for the worldly distractions that capture our attention and separate us from God.

I fill my day with all kinds of things and then I have the AUDACITY to say I don't have time for God, either in prayer or in the Word.  How SINFUL am I!  

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome loving God and a God that is active in my life and for that I am thankful because I know it is a gift for which I am completely undeserving.  I am a broken, selfish, lazy and imperfect person and I badly need You Lord Jesus.  Please forgive me Lord and take over my heart and my life - transform me and do with me as You please for Your glory.

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Ephesians 5

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them. 

If there was a reason to not be immoral, impure, or greedy...this is it:

⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

It is reason alone to desire Christ in my view, to have eternal life in Heaven with Him.  Equally, freedom from sin provides powerful incentive to desire Christ.  As well, a powerful, loving, personal, and active God, in the form of the Holy Spirit with us provides even more incentive for desire.

At the same time, there is DIS-incentive to blow any chance of having all of this, right?   That said, I want to rid myself of immorality of all forms - including those referenced here of "obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking" - and impurity and greed.

My Prayer: The promises of eternal life, freedom from sin and a powerful, loving, and personal God in the form of the Holy Spirit are awesome gifts Lord and I am not deserving because I know I exhibit immorality, impurity, and greed.  Please forgive me of these sins Lord Jesus and rid me of these sins...please refine and purify me.  Invade my heart and transform my life to be more like You Jesus.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4

I know I am a critical person and others like my wife Lisa and son Zach know that I am a critical person...I am quicker to point out what is wrong vs what is right.  So once again my heart is pierced by God's word on this:

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

  

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

In particular, verse 29...I need to focus on this.

My Prayer: Lord, I KNOW that You love me and You have and will continue to forgive me sins!  Yet I continue to sin and I badly need You to once again forgive me and I desperately need you Lord Jesus.  I need You not only to forgive my sin of critical talk but also to RID me of this sin.  Purify me Lord of this sin and do what You need to do to help me with this.  Invade my heart and my life on this Lord as I desperately want you to purify me of this sin.

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4

Just as I have been reading about Christ's love for me and the power He gives me through the spirit, we are to love one another:

² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Key here is that love is further defined as being gentle, even when we may otherwise not feel like loving someone else. For example, we might otherwise be inclined to feel vengeful or annoyed but this is not how Christ would feel towards us so we are not to feel this way towards others.  Instead we must "bear with one another in love."

My Prayer: Lord, Your love for me I know is high, wide, deep, and stretches to the heavens and beyond - even then it is something I cannot fathom nor describe.  I am amazed at Your love for me, for Your grace for me and the power You give to me through the Holy Spirit.  For sure I am not deserving as I am a sinful man, certainly not bearing with others in love as You instruct and for this reason and many others I seek Your  forgiveness.  Invade my heart and my life Lord, and do what You need to do to transform me to be more like You  Help me be completely humble and gentle and help me bear with others in love.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Ephesians 3

Two verses strike me today:

⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.

and

¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Verse 8 of because of Paul's humility.  Paul is arguably one of the most Godly men after to be a follower of Christ, and yet his greatness is rooted in humility.  (See 2 Cor 12:8-9).

Verse 17-18 because I gain additional perspective on the power available through Christ our Lord.  On Tuesday, I read about how I have available to me the same power that raised Christ from the dead.  For me!! It is just as astounding reading now as it was on Tuesday.  First and foremost, I am to use this power to grasp as Paul states "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ".

This latter point it seems is really important.  Recognize this power so that I can recognize God's love for me.

My Prayer:  Lord, I don't want to seem arrogant so please strike me down if I am.  I feel as if I am beginning to see as Paul references the extent of the love You have for me.  How incredible and how amazing.  I am truly not deserving of this yet you provide it anyway...again because You love me.  I know for sure that because I am not deserving of this...I need You.  And I need You badly.  I am sinful person and I need Your forgiveness.  Please help me Lord.  Purify and transform both my heart and my life.  Take me as Your humble and devoted servant.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2

Once again my reading includes words of great encouragement from Paul who speaks of what is available to me as a child of God.

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

 ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

 ¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

There are two ideas here that strike me:
> setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. > as I read yesterday work in and of itself will not gain me anything in the eyes of the Lord; I am to serve but out of humility and to glorify Him alone; even with my efforts I still don't deserve anything
> His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. > this in particular reminds me of the humanity I share with others as we are all children of God
> And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. > the Holy Spirit lives in me and it is active and available

When combined with verse 13 regarding the how I am always never far from Christ, I am greatly encouraged that I have a great and glorious God that lives in me and gives me immense power upon which I can draw for His great and glorious purpose!  Totally awesome!

My Prayer: What an amazing gift You are Christ Jesus.  I am surely not deserving of such a gift yet you provide it anyway.  I need You Lord as I am far from perfect, and I sin all the time.  Please forgive me Lord for my laziness, pride and other sin.  Purify me and refine me Lord - take me.  Transform my life and my heart Lord Jesus.  I desire to serve You fully.

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2

Wow...what a great summary of God's love and grace for us!

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  

In particular, I am struck by how Paul reminds us of God's great gift of grace:

³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Also, I am reminded that it is by God's grace and faith alone, not by works, that we are saved.  Yet even with such a gift we are called to ACT.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

We were created by and for His will and for His purpose.

My Prayer: Lord, how awesome that You are so full of love and grace for me that You have taken all of my sins away and nailed them to the cross...so that I am not enslaved by the shame of sin and as I have read yesterday and today You have created me for Your great and perfect will for Your service AND You have given me the SAME power that raised You from the dead!  How incredible is all of this!  Yet Lord, I don't often enough appreciate this so PLEASE once more forgive me for my neglect, dumb-headedness and sin.  Please refine me, purify me Lord, and transform both my heart and my life to be more like You.  Lord, also help me exercise the great power You have given me through Your Spirit and MOVE me to do the good works which You command me to do.

That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms

Ephesians 1

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  

²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Paul is praying that we truly understand the power available to those of us who believe.

[T]hat the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

I don't often enough appreciate the power made available to me.  This manifests itself in at least two ways:

• I don't pray often enough
• I don't pray for things big and small knowing that we should pray for big things because God can accomplish all AND we should pray for small things because God cares about everything, even the little things and we don't have to worry about his to-do list getting too long because this is NOT possible!

I need to recognize this power and pray more often and for things big and small.

My Prayer: Lord, I know You love me and I know You answer prayer as you have countless times both protected me and blessed me with answered prayer - as You always answer prayer.  You are a great and loving God and I desperately need You.  I am broken and sinful and I am disobedient.  Please forgive me for my neglectfulness and help me draw near to You.  Purify me and refine me Lord Jesus.  Help me pray all the time, every day and for things big and small.  Help me recognize and use the mighty power You make available to me.