7 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. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
Paraphrase: Be patience brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Just as how the farmer waits patiently for the fruits to receive the early and latter rain. You must also be patient and establish you heart. For the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain about each other lest you be condemned for the Judge is at the door. Brothers, take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience. Blessed are those who endured. Just as how Job endured and God was compassionate and merciful to him. Above all brothers, do not swear by anything, But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
Lessons Learnt: This text reminds us to be patient in response to suffering, as there will be much suffering as the Second Coming draws near. And how that we will be blessed if we endures. In this context, swearing in this case means swearing to prove your integrity, for example, "You don't believe me? I swear on my life......."
Prayer: Our Lord in Heaven, thank you for reminding us of how Job has suffered much and yet endured, it is truly a wake up call to us, what we are experiencing and will be experiencing is nothing compared to what Christ has suffered on the Cross. Lord I pray that Your mercy be upon me when it's time for me to suffer. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
James 5:1-6
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. James 5:1-6
Paraphrase: Rich people, weep for your miseries that will come. Your riches are corrupted and your garments moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded and it will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire as you heaped up treasures in the last days. The wages of your labourer which you kept by fraud cries out and it has reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. You have lived your life in pleasure and luxury, as a fattened cow in a day of slaughter. You condemned and murder the just; he does not resist you.
Lessons Learnt: There are 3 things being condemned here, luxurious living, oppression and murder. All of which were condemned in the Torah, by the OT prophets and by Jesus. We should not dwell on material things as they will all pass away soon, just as the verse says "your gold and silver are corroded". Oppression is in a way bearing false testimony, and doing such is sin.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for this reminder that all things of these earth will not last, and they will eventually pass away. I thank you that even though I am not rich, you have provided well, just as you did for your prophets. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Paraphrase: Rich people, weep for your miseries that will come. Your riches are corrupted and your garments moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded and it will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire as you heaped up treasures in the last days. The wages of your labourer which you kept by fraud cries out and it has reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. You have lived your life in pleasure and luxury, as a fattened cow in a day of slaughter. You condemned and murder the just; he does not resist you.
Lessons Learnt: There are 3 things being condemned here, luxurious living, oppression and murder. All of which were condemned in the Torah, by the OT prophets and by Jesus. We should not dwell on material things as they will all pass away soon, just as the verse says "your gold and silver are corroded". Oppression is in a way bearing false testimony, and doing such is sin.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for this reminder that all things of these earth will not last, and they will eventually pass away. I thank you that even though I am not rich, you have provided well, just as you did for your prophets. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Monday, June 20, 2011
James 4:13-17
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James 4:13-17
Paraphrase: Which of you would say, " Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit” when you do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is you life? A vapor that will vanish in time. Instead, we ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But we boast in arrogance, and all such boasting is evil.
Therefore, those who know good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Lessons Learnt: The 2 verses in bold applies to us as human beings a lot. Often times we like to do it our way, or we are not patient enough to wait for God's answer. And sometimes, even if we know that it is no. We still wanna do it, and hence, that is sin. All this is done because of our own selfish and proud nature. We as servants of Christ ought to humble ourselves. Just as Jesus said to take up our cross daily and deny ourselves.
Prayer: I thank you Lord that even though we sin, you said in 1 John 1:9 that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lord as I continue to be a servant to you, I pray that you strengthen me, Lord I know Satan is not happy, and will try all means to get me. But Lord, I know my choice is with you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James 4:13-17
Paraphrase: Which of you would say, " Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit” when you do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is you life? A vapor that will vanish in time. Instead, we ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But we boast in arrogance, and all such boasting is evil.
Therefore, those who know good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Lessons Learnt: The 2 verses in bold applies to us as human beings a lot. Often times we like to do it our way, or we are not patient enough to wait for God's answer. And sometimes, even if we know that it is no. We still wanna do it, and hence, that is sin. All this is done because of our own selfish and proud nature. We as servants of Christ ought to humble ourselves. Just as Jesus said to take up our cross daily and deny ourselves.
Prayer: I thank you Lord that even though we sin, you said in 1 John 1:9 that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lord as I continue to be a servant to you, I pray that you strengthen me, Lord I know Satan is not happy, and will try all means to get me. But Lord, I know my choice is with you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Monday, June 13, 2011
James 4:11-12
11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? -James 4:11-12
Paraphrase: Do not speak evil about others. He who speak evil about his brother judges him, and speaks evil of the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one judge, who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge others?
Lessons Learnt: We should not judge others whether by looks or by personality, because when we judge others, we put ourselves above them. But we are supposed to humble ourselves as we approach people.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that I have judged people in the past, and the present, and possibly the future, but Lord, help me to overcome and humble myself. That I will not judge the person as soon as I see him. Cause You are the only one who can deal out judgement. In Jesus name, Amen.
Paraphrase: Do not speak evil about others. He who speak evil about his brother judges him, and speaks evil of the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one judge, who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge others?
Lessons Learnt: We should not judge others whether by looks or by personality, because when we judge others, we put ourselves above them. But we are supposed to humble ourselves as we approach people.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that I have judged people in the past, and the present, and possibly the future, but Lord, help me to overcome and humble myself. That I will not judge the person as soon as I see him. Cause You are the only one who can deal out judgement. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
James 4: 7-10
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, youdouble-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. -James 4:7-10
Paraphrase: Submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands and purify your heart. Lament, mourn and weep. Let your laughter become mourning and joy become gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Lessons Learnt: This is a beautiful verse as it says that if we submit to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from us. We as servants of the Lord ought to be pure as we draw ourselves near to Him. We should humble ourselves as we approach him just as we are approaching the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the wonderful people in church who shared their personal life testimony to me. Lord, as I continue to do my devotion Lord, as I try to draw myself near you, I pray that you also will draw me close to you. And cleanse me Lord that I my be presentable in your sight. In Jesus name, Amen.
Paraphrase: Submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands and purify your heart. Lament, mourn and weep. Let your laughter become mourning and joy become gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Lessons Learnt: This is a beautiful verse as it says that if we submit to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from us. We as servants of the Lord ought to be pure as we draw ourselves near to Him. We should humble ourselves as we approach him just as we are approaching the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the wonderful people in church who shared their personal life testimony to me. Lord, as I continue to do my devotion Lord, as I try to draw myself near you, I pray that you also will draw me close to you. And cleanse me Lord that I my be presentable in your sight. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
James 4:1
1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires forpleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“ God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
Paraphrase: Where do wars and fights come from? Doesn't it come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have, you murder and covet but cannot obtain, You fight and war, and yet do not have cause you do not ask. And when you ask you do not receive for you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever is a friend of the world is therefore an enemy of God. Do you think the Scripture says in vain, "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.”
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“ God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
Paraphrase: Where do wars and fights come from? Doesn't it come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have, you murder and covet but cannot obtain, You fight and war, and yet do not have cause you do not ask. And when you ask you do not receive for you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever is a friend of the world is therefore an enemy of God. Do you think the Scripture says in vain, "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.”
Lessons Learnt: The roots of all disagreements is the evil in our heart, the desires for pleasure that we have. Sometimes we are willing to do whatever it takes to get what we want. And focusing on getting what we wants for our own pleasure, makes us lose sight of God. All these pleasures of the world are only temporary and we should not go after it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that as I live my life daily, there may be some things that I would really want, but LORD, help me control my lusts lest I fall into sin, LORD I know that if it's your will, it will be given, so LORD, continue to guide me and show me your will, and I will follow. Amen.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” -1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Paraphrase: Brothers and sisters, think of what you have when you were called. Not many have performance, popularity and power. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things to nullify the things that are, so that no one can boast before him. It is because of him that we are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one boasts boast in the Lord."
Lessons Learnt: Often times we might think that we are nobody, worthless, and powerless in human standards, but in the eyes of God, we are somebody more, we are his Children which he bought at a price, God often chose the poor, the sick, the weak and the despised, as they are often humble in spirit. How we ought to be like them and forsake the things of this earth.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have called me out of my perishment and into salvation. I thank you that even though I am not exactly the lowly thing in the world but you have taught me how to be humble. LORD, I pray that I continue to be humble and seek you daily. Amen.
Paraphrase: Brothers and sisters, think of what you have when you were called. Not many have performance, popularity and power. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things to nullify the things that are, so that no one can boast before him. It is because of him that we are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one boasts boast in the Lord."
Lessons Learnt: Often times we might think that we are nobody, worthless, and powerless in human standards, but in the eyes of God, we are somebody more, we are his Children which he bought at a price, God often chose the poor, the sick, the weak and the despised, as they are often humble in spirit. How we ought to be like them and forsake the things of this earth.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have called me out of my perishment and into salvation. I thank you that even though I am not exactly the lowly thing in the world but you have taught me how to be humble. LORD, I pray that I continue to be humble and seek you daily. Amen.
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