The Book of James: A book generally accepted as the work of James the brother of Jesus Christ in the flesh and in Spirit.

It is interesting coming back to this study, I thought to write these meditations down as teachings/lessons. But the Holy Spirit had something else in mind: to pray through them as I break down the verses slowly while in meditation; applying them in my life.

James 1 (AMP Bible)

19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
20 For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in all things. In a previous prayer-study, I asked that You would teach me patience: to be patient with myself, with others, and more importantly to be patient as I wait on You. Lord, I press on to ask for patience. Moreover, I pray for self-control in all matters; not only during times of provocation to anger, but in all areas of my life.

When I consider the person I desire to become in terms of godliness, Lord, I am overwhelmed by the vast mountain I see ahead of me which I have to climb. How shall I ever attain? How shall I ever get to the peak?

Lord, on my knees I implore You, help me to get to my destination; to cease the wanderings in the wilderness of paran. For sure, I am exhausted. I am in desperate need of Your control in every aspect of my life. I pray for a self-disciplined life, a sober mind in Christ Jesus; a mind and heart of quiet, stillness and meditation of Your word. I ask for Your favour in all the affairs of my life; those that shall steer me towards accomplishing this goal. Lord Jesus, Hinei!

21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

Father, I know that if we are able to achieve the above prayer; Your Holy Spirit is able to help me root out all uncleanness and impurity in my life. Lord, as the King Asa, I am willing to do Your will O God: to take away the altars of the strange gods, all the high places, break down the images, and cut down the groves in my life; to seek Your face and to do Your law and commandments. Lord, establish me in this.

22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

Root out all mediocrity in my life that causes me to be lesser than what Your word requires of me. This is a battle for my soul and Lord, I will watch for intrusions even as a watchman doth watch over a house to rid of thieves who dare encroach valuable property. O God, indeed how desperate I am that You deliver me from this cursed nature of self. I look upon it with disgust and desire to purge it completely because often, it finds a crack and slips through it somehow and infects me with pride and all its many other poisons. Then I despair and am discouraged.

But You O Lord are the true and living God. There is nothing too hard for You. I pray earnestly O Father, that You help me to put all self-sins to death. Baptize me a new with the Holy Ghost. Inscribe the whole of Your Word in my heart.

23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

This is the predicament; this is the disease; this, O Jesus, is my plight: that I forget the precious word that is able to rid me of the wretchedness that is within. Holy King, how can I remember Your law and do it diligently? How can I keep myself clean and from getting defiled by the world? Lord, help me to hide Your word in my heart; to abide in You at all times and not to be a heedless listener. That is all I ask about this matter.

I need You Lord, I have none else beside You to help. Lord, make a way; I know that You can split the sea. Send me therefore, the materials I need. Open the flood gates of both heaven and earth and bless me. I am waiting on You over this matter and I shan’t turnabout.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

Another dreadful matter: the tongue. O God of all might, strength and power, oft-times it almost seems convenient to cut off the tongue entirely and be silent for ever. Yet, I recognize sin does not come from the tongue, but from the heart, as well as the inability to control what proceeds from the heart. On this O Lord, I pray for Your holy wisdom, Your self-control, good and sound judgement, and a pure heart. I pray for a hagios nature.

27 External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

What I would do, help me do to the glory of Your name; not for show, nor for notoriety; but all to the glory of Your name. Lord, You are worthy of all worship and adoration. I see this now, they are not just words. You are worthy of ALL worship, glory and adoration. How clearly I see it now.

Help me to do Your will and to do it with excellence, diligence and faithfulness.

Doubtlessly, it is not hard for You to accomplish this on Your end; it is also not difficult for me to pray about it from my end. The crux of the matter lies with marrying the two: doing and believing. O Lord, how I need You desperately, how I need You every second. I see it now Lord; I see it clearly. On my knees I implore You, do this for thy servant, thy daughter.

Amen and Amen!

Study Reminder: As you study this book in prayer, remember: For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome — Jeremiah 29:11

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