May 19
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PRAY LIKE ELIJAH AND LEAD OTHERS BACK INTO TRUTH
A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. – James 5:16-20
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In these passages from the letter of James, he tackles two things: the importance of praying like Elijah. Elijah was one of the greatest prophets of God who had the right heart. Because of his righteous life, he is able to pray powerful prayers. Elijah predicts a drought in 1 Kings 17:1-7 and then when Elijah prayed for rain, God sends him rain in verses 14-46. James gives the example of Elijah because this man prays with faith. How many Christians really pray with faith? Oftentimes, we pray like asking God to grant us something and yet not have that expectancy to be granted whatever we prayed for. Many of us get consumed by the desire to long for something and forget that it is in God’s preference that it be done. We need to be able to pray like Elijah did, never faltering, never doubting, but truly believing that the Lord will grant it. Earlier in his letter in chapter 4, James talks about not having something we desire because we haven’t asked and when we ask, we ask for pleasure.
James admonishes the believers to make sure that not anyone of them strays from truth which led someone to stray as well. Many people who have fallen out of faith was a result of witnessing someone who turned away from their own faith. James warns the believers to make sure that they are seeking truth all the time so that the enemy will not have a chance to entice them back to sin. If we are accountable to someone to make sure that we are growing in the faith, we must also strive to be responsible to grow our faith through suffering and endurance. He talks about this in the beginning of his first chapters.
On a positive note, in verse 20, James gives Christ’s promise of the consequence of leading back someone again to God: he is guaranteed salvation and a coverage of a multitude of his own sins. What a great result for those who lead the stray back into God’s fold! Wouldn’t you want to receive that promise yourself?
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REFLECTION
• Why is expectancy important when you pray?
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
BE CLEAR WHERE YOU STAND AND CONFESS TO ONE ANOTHER ILMA’S VLOG
May 18
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BE CLEAR WHERE YOU STAND AND CONFESS TO ONE ANOTHER
12 But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you do not fall under judgment. 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
– James 5:12-16
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In this letter, James clearly warns us not to make vows or swear by heaven or by earth. He must be referring to an Old Testament verse in Deuteronomy 23:21-23 which goes like this: “If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth.” James backs it up in verse 12 that you must be clear where you stand. If it is a yes, let it be so and if it is a no, then do the same. Anything in between may be judged against you.
He brings another advice in verse 14 where they go to the elders when they are sick so that they can be anointed with oil and be prayed over. He stresses the importance of praying in faith in verse 15, which restores the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up. Isn’t this an act of faith that few churches today practice. We instead, go straight to medical professionals, instead of faith filled believers to pray over us. No wonder our world is plagued with many illnesses. We have become faithless and have not followed this act of faith.
In verse 16, James brings out another important issue that many believers fail to do so. He tells us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may get healing. Accountability to another believer by confessing our sins to them manifests our humility to admit that we have transgressed and we need to pray for each other.
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REFLECTION
• Why is being clear and confessing to one another important in a believer’s life?
A MESSAGE TO THE RICH ILMA’S VLOG
May 16
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A MESSAGE TO THE RICH
Come now, you rich people, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have corroded, and their corrosion will serve as a testimony against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of armies. 5 You have lived for pleasure on the earth and lived luxuriously; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous person; he offers you no resistance.
– James 5:1-6
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In this letter, James strongly warns the wealthy people. In verse 1, he tells them of the misery that they are about to face. In verse 2, James describes what happens to the things they cherish most, their wealth and garments. In verse 3, their gold and silver are of no more value because of the corrosion that will take place after a while that they have owned them. James likens their prized possessions to a fire that will consume their whole being. James must be referring to hell in this line.
In verse 4, James confronts the corruption that these rich people have committed against their laborers whom they have mistreated and not fairly treated by depriving them of their pay for their hard-earned labor. He cautions them that the cries of the people who were mistreated by these rich people is heard by the Lord. They should watch out how God is going to vindicate the poor.
In verses 5-6, James illustrates more the lifestyle of the rich. They live to pleasure themselves with all the amenities and luxuries of life. The phrase “you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” is disturbingly scary. It is almost giving them a glimpse of what they are about to receive from feeding their own cravings: slaughter. Just like a cow being fattened to be killed. In verse 6, another exercise of the rich is to discriminate and hamper the righteous to do the right thing. Because of their oppression towards these righteous people, they will suffer in the end. What ending does the greedy and lovers of wealth come down to! Why would one want to be rich after all these warning given by James?
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think James addresses the wealthy people in this letter?
LIFE IS LIKE A VAPOR ILMA’S VLOG
May 15
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LIFE IS LIKE A VAPOR
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.
– James 4:13-17
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In this letter, James reminds the believers how momentary our lives are. There is no reason to boast about today or tomorrow. Anything we are doing has no guarantees, so we should never boast. Our lives depend on God alone. We can be here now and tomorrow gone without a warning. James likens our lives to a vapor. It appears for a little while and then vanishes away the next moment.
In verse 15, James brings about a valid point in connection with our lives just like being a mist. He wants to emphasize the importance of looking up to God and depending on him for all things. He wants them to focus on God’s will because that is what’s important. He says it is pointless to be dependent on plans, your work, your family or your possessions. We do not know when we are going to be taken away, so what’s the point?
James is actually quoting an Old Testament verse from Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 that says Life is fleeting, like a passing mist. It is like trying to catch hold of a breath; All vanishes like a vapor; everything is a great vanity. 3 What good does it do anyone to work so hard again and again, sun up to sundown? All his labor to gain but a little? 4 One generation comes, another goes; but the earth continues to remain.
In verse 16, James warns us about boasting. He says it comes from the evil one. It is arrogance to boast, so he admonishes them not to do so. In verse 17, James gives a great caution about the right thing to do. He says that if someone knows the right thing to do and they don’t do it, for that person, it is sin. Isn’t this a very wise advice? When we fail to do what is right and we know it, we are wrong. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us to do right and when we don’t do it, we are going to eventually sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us not to fail to do the right thing when we know it?
BE HUMBLE & SUBMIT TO THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
May 13
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BE HUMBLE & SUBMIT TO THE LORD
5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, “He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 7 Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
– James 4:5-10
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In this letter of James, he talks about the importance of humility. Strong’s Concordance defines humility as gentleness and meekness. Oxford Dictionary defines it as a modest or low view of one’s own importance. Notice, it didn’t say a low view of our identity or self. It focuses on importance. Paul warns us in Philippians 2:3 not to think highly of ourselves but to count others as more important than you. Why are we reminded constantly to be humble? If we think highly of ourselves, we open the door to the devil to work on deceiving us that we are more than what we think we really are. We can be deceived
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God himself did an act of humility when he stooped down at fallen humanity and gave His Son Jesus so that we can be spared of His wrath and be reconciled with Him. Jesus chose to come from a poor origin so that He can show the value of humility in order for us to give all the glory to His Father.
In this letter, James gives us a gem of truth In verse 6, he reminds us how God is against the proud but gives grace to the humble. Isn’t that enough reason to choose humility against thinking highly of oneself? He emphasizes the importance of submitting to God and then resisting the devil. Submission is pre-requisite before you can resist the devil. In order to submit to God, we need humility to acknowledge that He is our Lord and Master and that we will succumb to His sovereignty and authority. James added another nugget of wisdom in verse 8, when God invites us to come close to Him so he can come close to us through repentance and purification of our hearts. He gives the result of humbling ourselves before the Lod. God Himself will raise us up and exalt us. What a promise to all those who will humble themselves and submit to God. So, why don’t we all choose to do so?
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REFLECTION
• Why is faith not going to work if we are not humble?
HUMAN VERSUS GODLY WISDOM
May 11
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HUMAN VERSUS GODLY WISDOM
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:13-18
________________________________________The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about wisdom. It is an instruction manual for wisdom. Why is Proverbs so important? Proverbs compiles many different instructions for living life effectively so that those who want to serve God can stay in the path of wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 clearly states the theme of the whole book: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Is it any wonder why James would want us all to know the essence of wisdom in our lives?
In verses 13-16, James gives an illustration of what human wisdom is. He says that if one thinks he is wise, let him manifest it in his actions. Someone who claims they are wise and have bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, arrogant and are liars are devoid of true wisdom. He says that human wisdom doesn’t come from above, but is earthly and demonic. He further gives a picture what this human wisdom usually brings about: chaos, disorder and all kinds of evil things. This kind of wisdom does not acknowledge God as the beginning of knowledge. They do not know him who is the source of all wisdom.
In verses 17-18, he presents what godly wisdom is. He describes it as pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and manifests good fruits, impartial or fair, free of hypocrisy. In other words, there is no falsehood or pretense. It results in righteousness and those who uses godly wisdom brings about peace.
How come the world cannot discern godly wisdom? Because they do not know God and therefore do not fear him. Without the knowledge of God, there is no fear of God. How can godly wisdom exist without the knowledge of God?
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REFLECTION
• Why do some people think that their knowledge is true and righteous wisdom?
IRREPRESSIBLE TONGUE ILMA’S VLOG
May 10
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IRREPRESSIBLE TONGUE
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. – James 3:5-12
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In this letter, James continues to warn the believers about a part of our body that is pervasively evil and irrepressible: the tongue. In verse 5, he likens it to a forest set ablaze by such a small fire. Just like how one small gossip can ruin someone’s character or a relationship or even an entire community.
In verse 6, James elaborately explains the damage a tongue can do and where it comes from. He says that the tongue is the one that defiles a person. It brings about trouble which is the fire that is actually brought about by hell itself. What a scary thought it is to think that this part of our body can lead us straight to hell.
In verse 7, he talks about the untameable tongue that we have by comparing it to every animal species on earth. He says that the beasts, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea can be tamed but the tongue cannot. He continues on in verse 8 to say that it can never be tamed because it is evil itself and full of deadly poison. In verses 9-10, he proves his point by illustrating that we praise the Lord by it and also curse other creation created by God in his own image. He warns the believers that this must not be the case in Christians.
In verses 11-12, he challenges the believers to examine their hearts when he asked the question “Can a fig tree bear olives or vine bear figs?” This question means that if you are in Christ, your mind is going to be renewed and you won’t allow evil to come out of your mouth. It makes us examine if our hearts and minds are in sync with our mouths.
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REFLECTION
• If James claims that the tongue is irrepressible, who can tame it then?
THE SMALL PART THAT BOASTS
May 9
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THE SMALL PART THAT BOASTS
Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. 4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. – James 3:1-5
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According to healthline.com, the average tongue length is about 3 inches. The tongue is critical for speech, swallowing, and breathing. Onhealth.com says that the tongue is all muscle, but not just one muscle – it’s made up of 8 different muscles that intertwine with each other creating a flexible matrix, much like an elephant’s trunk. It’s called a muscular hydrostat, and the tongue muscles are the only muscles in the human body that work independently of the skeleton. Your tongue muscles do have amazing stamina and are used constantly for eating, talking, and swallowing. The tongue just never seems to get tired! Interesting that it works independently of the skeleton. No wonder, we can’t easily control it. The fact that it never seems to get tired maybe the reason why it never stops talking, swallowing or breathing.
Maybe this is why James tackles this very small part of our body that can do so much good or harm to ourselves and to others. In the same letter succeeding these verses, he explains how powerful this little part is that can set a tiny spark and get a forest on fire. He also mentions that it is very wicked and corrupts the entire body in James 3:6 and can set your whole life on fire. It is described as untamable because it is full of evil and deadly poison.
He warns all believers about this small part of the body that boasts of great things. He especially admonishes teachers because they have a stricter judgment on them since they have a bigger responsibility to ensure that they do not cause the stumbling of their students.
Isn’t James wise to caution us about something that we think we have control over?
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REFLECTION
• Why so we think that we can control our tongue when the bible says we cant?
SAVING FAITH ILMA’S VLOG
May 7
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SAVING FAITH
14 What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – James 2:14-18
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In this letter, James explains what saving faith is. True believers know what faith means. We are all familiar with the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 which says that is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please him God. Paul says in Romans 10:17 that faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
James takes faith further in verses 15-16 by illustrating a clear example of what it means. How can one say they have faith, when they are not able to respond to someone in need when they have the opportunity to do it? We are all responsible for ourselves, but Jesus also said that we need to love one another. How can we say we love someone and not show it to others especially when they are in need? How can we not make sacrifices by letting go of our conveniences and comforts to help those who are in need? All the gifts given to us are supposed to be shared, not hoarded for our own purposes alone. How would you feel if someone claims they love you, and yet don’t have faith in you or show you that you are there to provide for their needs?
In verses 17-18, he proves the importance of saving faith. Faith has to be manifest in good works. True and saving faith is always manifest in the way we live. It has to bear fruits of kindness, love, generosity, hospitality and care to others. Dead faith is when a believer doesn’t show in his/her life the fruits of the Holy Spirit. James says that your faith is not just inside your heart. It is clearly demonstrated in your life and your relationships.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think it is important to wear your faith, especially towards unbelievers?
• What happens when someone who don’t know God witnesses your saving faith?
THE ROYAL LAW ILMA’S VLOG
May 6
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THE ROYAL LAW
8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. 10 For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law. 12 So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. – James 2:8-13
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In this letter, James gives us the prescription for doing well in life: to fulfill the royal law according to Scripture which says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There are two other books in the bible that reiterates this royal law after James wrote about this. The book of James was written in AD 44-49 while the book of Mark followed in AD 50-60 Just as Matthew wrote his in the same year as Mark did. It was James the brother of Jesus who first referred to this royal law which was also in the Old Testament book in Leviticus 19:18. Luke also mentions it during AD 60-61 and Paul repeats this royal law in his letter to the Romans and the Galatians. Why did Jesus consider this as second to the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God. He summed up all the Mosaic law in these two laws of love. God created us in His image according to Genesis and God is love according to John, so, if we are made like him, we are also love. He wants us all to love him and to love one another because it is the fulfillment of his promise.
James further elaborates on the other laws that explains this royal law. If you love your neighbor as yourself, you will not show partiality, you will not commit adultery and not murder. In fact, if you all follow this royal law, all of the ten commandments given through Moses will be followed. No wonder, James, who wrote the first book in the New Testament according to historical records, emphasized this royal law focused on the nature of God which is love. It is only fitting that all his children do the same to each other as well.
In verse 12, he commands them to walk their talk so that they won’t be judged by the law of freedom because the result of hypocrisy which is not walking their talk would be merciless to those who have not shown mercy. Once again, he focuses on God’s mercy.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it difficult to love your neighbor as yourself?