Week of August 30, 2009, James 1:17-27

One of the lessons for this Sunday is from the writings of James, chapter 1, verses 17 to 27:
17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, 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.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Dear God, thank You that You are a great God who does not change, for You laid down the foundations of the earth from the beginning of time. Your Word is truth.

Help me, Lord, to be quick to listen when my tendency is to respond without listening. Help me to be slow to speak when my tendency is to respond fast without thinking. Help me to be slow to anger when my tendency is to become angry with situations that unfold in ways different than I desire.

Help me, Jesus, to look in that mirror and see You working in me, changing me, transforming me more into Your likeness. May Your Word come alive in me. May I be a “doer” of the Word and not only a “hearer” of the Word. Give me a heart for service, Jesus, that shares God’s love with those who feel disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

Jesus, draw me close to You. Thanks for Your peace, Your love, Your presence with me always. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May God be with you now and always.

Week of August 23, 2009, Ephesians 6:10-20

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he uses the image of the armor of the Roman army, and applies it spiritually to us to stand strong against evil.

Ephesians 6:10-20:
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For 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. 13Therefore 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. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And 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 saints.


19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Dear Lord, help me to be strong in Your strength and mighty power. Your word teaches that we wrestle not against people that we see, but against spiritual forces of wickedness and evil. So Lord, I put on Your armor so that I can stand my ground, firmly and humbly relying on You, Lord. I put on the belt of truth. I put on the breastplate of righteousness. I put on shoes fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. I take up the shield of faith to ward off any flaming arrows of the evil one, always trusting in You, Lord. I put on the helmet of salvation to protect my mind and thoughts. I take up the sword of the Spirit, Your strong Word, O God. And I pray in all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests. And I keep myself alert and keep on praying for all the saints, for all people around me, and as You, Lord, lead and guide me. And as I share Your love with others, help me to give my testimony with simple authenticity, with the words that Your Spirit gives, and without fear, knowing that You are always with me.

Jesus, thanks for Your power and peace and presence with me always. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort to you, guide you in your decisions, and fill you
with a fervent desire to serve Him better.
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May you experience God's presence now and always.