Trusting God In James 5 (Dec 8)

God Answers Prayer of Faith

Just as a human body that fails
to breathe is labelled a dead body,
so too a faith that fails to breathe
is labelled a dead faith. And the
breath of faith in the Christian life
is good works: demonstrating
concern for the poor, controlling
the tongue & building up others.
True faith & good works cannot be
divorced, for your life is the lab in
which your faith is shown to be real.

Lord, we will Keep On Praying:
Be Patient as you Wait for the Lord…
Consider the farmers who patiently
wait for the rains…They eagerly look
for the valuable harvest to ripen.
You too must Be Patient (Jas 5:7-8).
Are there among you Suffering?
They should Keep On Praying
about it. And those who have
reason to be thankful should
continually sing praises to the Lord.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him
call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him (v13-14).
And the Prayer offered in Faith
will make the sick person well…
Therefore Confess your sins to
each other and Pray for each
other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous man
is powerful and effective (v15-16).

Lord, so many of us struggle with
being patient. And You teach us
patience by putting us in situations
where we really have to be patient.
You Lord want us to grow this trait;
and so You put us in circumstances
that push our patience to the limit.
So help us Lord to take courage
and patiently wait so that You
will reward us in Your time. Amen.

Lord, I want to be a faithful follower
who doesn’t stop praying because
of delay, setback or even weariness.
For You won’t delay any longer than
is needed to achieve Your purpose.
Empower me to Keep On Praying
until the answers come; & lead me
to be continually thankful to You
and bless Your holy name. Amen.

Lord, grateful our righteousness
comes from what You have done.
And we are righteous because of
Your great sacrifice on the cross.
Help us Lord to Confess our sins not
only to You, but also to each other
so that healing can come to us all.
Thank You for making our prayers
powerful and effective. Amen.

Trusting God In James 4

God Draws Near to Us (Dec 7)

Just as a human body that fails to
breathe is a dead body, so a faith
that fails to breathe is a dead faith.
The breath of faith in the Christian
life is good works: demonstrating
concern for the poor, controlling
the tongue & building up others.
If you think you have faith but there
is no demonstration of that faith in
your life, then your faith is worthless.
True faith & good works cannot be
divorced, for your life is the lab in
which your faith is shown to be real.

Lord, we’ll Come & Submit to You:
Do you not know that friendship
with the world is enmity with God?
The Spirit who dwells in us
yearns jealously. But He gives
more grace. Therefore He says:
God Resists the proud, but gives
grace to the humble (Jas 4:4-6).
Therefore Submit to God.
Resist the devil and
he will flee from you (v7).
Draw Near to God and
He will Draw near to You.
Cleanse your hands…
and purify your hearts…
Humble yourselves
in the sight of the Lord and
He will lift you up (Jas 4:8-10).

Lord, You Resist the proud but show
grace and favour to the humble.
Keep me from being full of myself
and thinking myself better than
or more important than others.
Help me Lord not to be seduced
to embrace a busy lifestyle
or to let pride reign over me.
For I purpose to be a friend of
God and not of the world. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for Your grace;
thank You for dying for my sins and
thank You for being my protector.
Although my enemy is strong and
sinister; but You God are stronger.
Give me discernment to recognise
the attacks of the enemy and the
strength to spurn his sinful offers.
Grant me the will to Submit to You
Lord and to Resist the devil. Amen.

Lord, I want to know You more and
know Your specific will for my life.
Your Word says You Make Your
heartbeat known to those whose
hearts Draw Near towards You and
to those whose hearts are tender.
And even as I purpose to yield
my heart towards You Lord, share
Your deepest heartbeat with me.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God In James 3 (Dec 6)

God Grants us Wisdom

Just as a human body that fails
 to breathe is labelled a dead body,
 so too a faith that fails to breathe
 is labelled a dead faith. And the
breath of faith in the Christian life
 is good works: demonstrating
 concern for the poor, controlling
 the tongue & building up others.
True faith & good works cannot be
 divorced, for your life is the lab in
 which your faith is shown to be real.

Lord, we’ll Seek Your Wisdom:
Who is wise and understanding
among you? Let him show
by good conduct that
his works are done in
meekness of wisdom (Jas 3:13).                       The wisdom that comes from 
heaven is first of all pure. It is
 also peace loving, gentle at all
times and willing to yield to others.
 It is full of mercy and good deeds…
And those who are peacemakers
 will plant seeds of peace and reap
 a harvest of goodness (Jas 3:17-18)

Lord, thank you for making your 
divine wisdom available to us
 through your indwelling Holy Spirit.
 Thank you for your wisdom that
 is peace-loving, gentle, merciful
and willing to yield to others.
 Thank U for the provision of your
 wisdom each day as I abide in U.
 Show me what to do in difficult
situations that I am facing; for 
I need your view of things. Amen.

Lord, help us realise that we are
 never meant to tackle life with
 our own human wisdom. For
 real wisdom, the kind we really
 need belongs to only You God. 
We acknowledge our need for
 Your wisdom and ask You for it
to tackle the challenging situation
 that we are encountering now.
 Help us to see things from Your
 perspective and to function in
unity with You. In His name, Amen

Dear Lord, we realise You want
 believers not only to hear the truth
 but also to do it. Grant us grace
 to Love You, Draw Close to You
 and to Live Out our faith in You.
 Help us Seek Wisdom from You;
 help us to Depend on You and 
help us Humbly Submit to You.
 In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God In James 2 (Dec 5)

God Urges Living Out Faith

Just as a human body that fails
to breathe is labelled a dead body,
so too a faith that fails to breathe
is labelled a dead faith. And the
breath of faith in the Christian life
is good works: demonstrating
concern for the poor, controlling
the tongue, exhibiting a spirit of
humility and building up others.

Lord, we will Live Out our Faith:
What good is it… if someone
claims to have faith but has no
deeds?.. Faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied By Action, is dead.
But someone will say: You have
faith; I have deeds. Show me your
faith without deeds & I’ll show you
my faith by my Deeds (Jas 2:14-18)
Was not Abraham… justified
by works when he offered Isaac…
on the altar? Do you see that
faith was working together
with his works, and by works
faith was made perfect (v21-22).
Abraham believed God, and
God counted him as righteous
because of his faith. He was
even called the Friend of God (v23).

Lord, we realise we are to show
our faith by the good Deeds we do.
Help us Be Obedient in trusting You.
Help us take time to be with You,
studying Your Word and praying.
Help us do acts of kindness for
someone. Whilst we may mess up
from time to time, help us learn
from mistakes and move on. Amen.

Lord, You want believers not only
to hear the truth but also to do it.
Grant us grace to love & to serve;
and help us to seek ways of
Living Out Our Faith In You, for
they are evidence of true faith.
Help us to be more obedient;
help us to trust You more; and
draw us closer to You. Amen.

Lord, we want to be Your Friend.
Grant us faith that works
its way outward in our lives.
Grant us faith Lord that will
cause us to do what we believe in.
Help us to be more like You, know
Your purpose & be united with You.
Let our faith and actions draw us
closer to You as a Friend. Amen.

Trusting God In James 1 (Dec 4)

God Urges Persevering Faith

Apostle James shows how true
faith produces doers of the Word
and bear fruit in actions & deeds.
James offers many tests for genuine
faith: It endures trials, obeys
the Word, harbours no prejudice,
controls the tongue, is separated
from the world & resists the devil.
Above all, faith waits patiently
for the coming of the Lord.

Lord, we’ll Believe & Persevere:
Consider it pure joy whenever You
face trials because the testing of
Your faith produces Perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.
If any of you Lacks Wisdom,
he should Ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding
fault, and it will be given to him.
But when he asks, he must
Believe and Not Doubt (Jas 1:2-6).

Lord, grant me the hallmark of my
faith be the ability to face troubles
with Your perspective in mind.
Grant me Lord the ability to
face troubles with Your grace.
Help me to hold on to Your promise
so that when my faith is tested,
Endurance has a chance to grow,
and I will be Complete In You. Amen

Lord, thank You that Your Word
promises that You will give
wisdom to us when we ask for it.
So I Ask For Wisdom, for I know
true wisdom comes only from You.
Help me to be wise in daily decision
especially when I must act quickly.
Help me to know what to do & what
not to do in any situation. Amen.

Lord, we note in Your Word that
when we ask, we must Believe
and Not Doubt. So help me Lord
not to be double-minded, but
to set my mind fully on You Lord.
And even as I choose to believe,
I trust that You will keep me from
error, guide me into truth and
I will be Complete In You. Amen.

Thought for the Week: Hebrews 13

God Helps & Makes You Complete

Hebrews closes with an appeal for
a persevering Faith that relies on
the promises of God regardless
of the circumstances. Writing to
an audience whose actions were
being shaped by pressure from
the world rather than promises
from God, the author urges the
kind of Faith-inspired walk that
characterised so many OT saints.
Being so convinced of God’s
Faithfulness, they ordered their
lives according to His Word.
Follow their commendable example
and walk by Faith; and not by sight.

Lord, we’ll Hold On to Your Word:
Be content for He Himself has said:
I’ll Never Leave You nor forsake you.
So we may boldly say: The Lord
is my helper; I will not fear. What
can man do to me? (Heb 13:5-6)
(For) Jesus Christ is The Same
yesterday, today and forever (v8).
May the God of peace,
who through the blood of the
eternal covenant brought back
from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that Great Shepherd of the Sheep,
equip you with everything good
for doing His will, and may He
work in us what is pleasing to Him
through Jesus Christ (v20-21).

Lord, thank You for the promise
that You will be Always With
me in times of great trouble.
Thank You that You are my God
and my Saviour; and that You
love me and I’m precious to You.
Grateful Lord for Your presence,
protection and shalom peace.
You are the one true God and
the only One who saves. Amen.

Lord Jesus, thanks that You never
change, which give me confidence.
Your immutability means so much
for I can trust that Your words
and character are as trustworthy
now as when You were on earth.
So, I can trust Your promises;
and I can rely firmly on the fact
that You are always compassionate;
that You will never give up on me &
that You’ll always be with me. Amen

Lord Jesus and Great Shepherd
of the Sheep, prepare me for
what You are preparing for me.
Strengthen and equip me with every
good thing so that I can do Your will.
Open my heart to the working of Yr
Spirit so that my life will Honour You.
Produce in me, through the power
of Christ all that is pleasing to You
so that I’ll be Complete in You. Amen

Reflection on Hebrews (Dec 3)

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of the epistle to
the Hebrews is to present the
sufficiency & superiority of Christ.
God spoke in times past through
the prophets, but He has reserved
declaration of His glory for His Son.
By His death & resurrection, Jesus
lifts mankind into the family of God.
Because of His perfect humanity,
Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve
as High Priest for sinful mankind.
And Christ will bring His people into
the eternal resting place of heaven.

On Monday, we learn from Heb 8
that God Gives Assuring Covenant.
On Tuesday, we learn fr Heb 9 that
God Grants Access & Inheritance.
On Wed, we learn from Heb 10
that God Renews Your Mind to Faith.
On Thursday, we learn from Heb 11
that God Rewards Robust Faith.
On Friday, we learn from Heb 12
that Christ Finishes Our Faith.
On Saturday, we learn from Heb 13
that God Helps & Completes. Amen.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You:
For You truly keep Your promises
and You give assuring covenant;
For You grant access & inheritance
and You help and complete us;
For You renew our mind to faith,
reward robust faith & finish our faith.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God In Heb 13 (Dec 2)

God Helps & Makes You Complete

Hebrews closes with an appeal for
a persevering Faith that relies on
the promises of God regardless
of the circumstances. Writing to
an audience whose actions were
being shaped by pressure from
the world rather than promises
from God, the author urges the
kind of Faith-inspired walk that
characterised so many OT saints.
Being so convinced of God’s
Faithfulness, they ordered their
lives according to His Word.
Follow their commendable example
and walk by Faith; and not by sight.

Lord, we’ll Hold On to Your Word:
Be content for He Himself has said:
I’ll Never Leave You nor forsake you.
So we may boldly say: The Lord
is my helper; I will not fear. What
can man do to me? (Heb 13:5-6)
(For) Jesus Christ is The Same
yesterday, today and forever (v8).
May the God of peace,
who through the blood of the
eternal covenant brought back
from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that Great Shepherd of the Sheep,
equip you with everything good
for doing His will, and may He
work in us what is pleasing to Him
through Jesus Christ (v20-21).

Lord, thank You for the promise
that You will be Always With
me in times of great trouble.
Thank You that You are my God
and my Saviour; and that You
love me and I’m precious to You.
Grateful Lord for Your presence,
protection and shalom peace.
You are the one true God and
the only One who saves. Amen.

Lord Jesus, thanks that You never
change, which give me confidence.
Your immutability means so much
for I can trust that Your words
and character are as trustworthy
now as when You were on earth.
So, I can trust Your promises;
and I can rely firmly on the fact
that You are always compassionate;
that You will never give up on me &
that You’ll always be with me. Amen

Lord Jesus and Great Shepherd
of the Sheep, prepare me for
what You are preparing for me.
Strengthen and equip me with every
good thing so that I can do Your will.
Open my heart to the working of Yr
Spirit so that my life will Honour You.
Produce in me, through the power
of Christ all that is pleasing to You
so that I’ll be Complete in You. Amen

Trusting God In Hebrews 12

Christ Finishes Our Faith (Dec 1)

Hebrews closes with an appeal for
a persevering Faith that relies on
the promises of God regardless
of the circumstances. Writing to
an audience whose actions were
being shaped by pressure from
the world rather than promises
from God, the author urges the
kind of Faith-inspired walk that
characterised so many OT saints.
Being so convinced of God’s
Faithfulness, they ordered their
lives according to His Word. Follow
their commendable example and
walk by Faith; and not by sight!

Lord, help us Endure the Race:
Since we are surrounded by
so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight and
the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross… and has sat
down at the right hand of the
throne of God. For consider Him
who endured such hostility…
lest you become weary and
discouraged (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Lord, I purpose to run the race
by keeping my eyes on You
Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith.
Jesus, it is so easy to forget
that my life is all about You.
My desire to follow You,
my longing to hear Your voice.
It is really all about You. As You
live Your life within me, let
my spiritual ears open up and
my heart softens towards God.
And may You live fully, deeply,
boldly in my total being. Amen.

Father, I want to keep my eyes
on Jesus, my Saviour & Master.
Grant me grace to consciously
turn my eyes away from problems
and the things of this world.
Help me focus on the one whom
my faith depends fr start to finish.
Open my ears to Your voice and
Soften my heart towards You and
to live closely with You. Amen.

Lord, thank you for the promise
in Isa 26:3-4: You will keep in
perfect peace those whose minds
are steadfast, because they trust
in You. Trust in the Lord… for the
Lord himself is the Rock eternal.
Lord, You promise peace to those
who trust in You and set their
minds on You – the solid and
dependable one. You are worthy
of my full trust for You are my rock.
As long as I look to You, I cannot
be shaken for You’re with me. Amen

Trusting God In Heb 11 (Nov 30)

God Rewards Robust Faith

Hebrews closes with an appeal
for a persevering Faith that
relies on the promises of God.
Writing to an audience whose
actions were being shaped by
pressure from the world, the author
urges the kind of Faith-inspired walk
that characterised many OT saints.
Being so convinced of God’s
Faithfulness, they ordered their
lives according to His Word.
Follow their commendable example
and Walk By Faith; and not by sight!

Lord, we trust You Will Reward:
Faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). But
without faith it is impossible to
please Him, for he who comes to
God must Believe that He is, and
that He is a Rewarder of those
who diligently Seek Him (v6).
By faith Moses… chose rather to
suffer afflictions… than to enjoy
the passing pleasures… for he
looked to the Reward (v24-26).

Lord, we need confidence in what
we hope for and assurance about
what we do not see. For Satan will
cast doubt & fear. So I claim Eph6:16
that You give me the shield of faith.
Teach me to obey even when I can’t
sense the desire to do what’s right.
Give me new desire as well as
new power to live as I should.
Wean me from excuse that I am
too weak; for Your strength is
sufficient for whatever I face. Amen

Lord, give me faith to trust You even
when the way is dark & uncertain.
Empower and strengthen me
to believe that You are who You
say You are in the Scriptures.
And that You will respond and
Reward those who Seek You.
For I purpose to Live By Faith in
Christ Jesus who truly loved me
and gave His life for me. Amen.

Lord, You promise future glory
to those who suffer in the present
for their faithfulness. Give me Lord
the courage to stand for Your cause.
Protect me from wrong and shallow
ways of thinking. I don’t want to
suffer; but I also don’t want to miss
Your blessing or the chance to
bring You honour. Amen & amen.