The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – James 5:1-6 (day five) “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.”  God’s economy is so different than the human economy we find here on earth. Those materials we store and hoard on earth as valuable treasures, God uses to adorn gates and pave roads in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21).
Like a “dangerous curve ahead sign” James warns all who travel the road of life on earth (believers and non-believers) that danger may be lurking for those who are so self-focused (attaining and maintaining wealth) that they pay no attention to their surroundings (a gracious and generous God, people created in His image, and an eternal existence where being in relationship and in the presence of God is all that will matter). James warns that wealth and riches can place on a path where grave danger lies ahead. Do you see the sign??  Check your surroundings- your heart, your relationships, your priorities.

Re:Verse passage – James 5:1-6 (day four)

James’ treatise on the misuse of wealth and riches was not an isolated passage in Scripture.  Several of the Old Testament prophets called out the wicked rich.  Isaiah, Amos, Jeremiah, Micah, Ezekiel, and Malachi all condemned those who misused their wealth.  In the gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus likewise addressed those who did not walk in obedience to God’s commands concerning money.  James notes four sins that lead to the severe judgment that come with the misuse of riches.  He points out that not only were their riches uselessly hoarded, but also unjustly gained, self-indulgently spent, and ruthlessly acquired.

What does your handling of the material wealth that God has allowed you to possess say of your relationship to God?  We can misuse small portions of money as well as large sums.  What do people recognize when they see the role that riches, big or small, play in your life.  Is the witness of money in your life a positive witness to others of your faith, dependence, generosity, and goodness?

Re:Verse passage – James 5:1-6 (day three)

James just doesn’t let up, does he? He circles back to the topic of money here, with an admonishment echoing that of chapter 2. When Scripture repeats itself, it should cause us to perk up our ears.

Wealth dazzles. It pulls at the fleshly part of us that covets. It causes us to look at what is sparkling and turn our heads away from the injustice often lurking underneath. But the Lord’s eyes are focused. His ears are tuned to the cries of the exploited. He will not be fooled. We serve a God who is just, and He is willing to show us the way to act more justly.

Let’s face it, friends – many of us live with some amount of wealth, and James is calling us to go against the grain, using our wealth to pursue justice and godliness, not the flashy things of the world. Our awareness of this should cause us to lay it all humbly at the Lord’s feet. With his help, we can act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Re:Verse passage – James 5:1-6 (day two) 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 Sabaoth. vs. 4

Everyone has a desire to be successful. There are many different models on how to get ahead in business, relationships, and personally, but as believers there should always be a caveat. How does getting ahead impact your witness? Whatever you employ as a means of success; what does it say about your faith? No matter the words we use, how we treat others will speak volumes. Perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate gain. If you can continue to be a success and a faithful witness, may your tribe increase. If, on the other hand, you struggle with how you treat others on your ascent: stop. Our treasure is in Heaven, and that is what we must be measured by. The Lord will help.

Re:Verse passage – James 4:13-17 (day seven) 

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” vs 15

In 2012, an acronym caught fire across social media and became one of the most popular words of a generation.”YOLO” (You Only Live Once) became the war cry of college and high school students as they sought adrenaline thrills and social media recognition through acts that most adults would define as sheer stupidity.

What young people saw in “YOLO” was an opportunity to live out their vanity using the excuse that this life is short. What was missed in “YOLO” was an understanding that this life, albeit short, is bigger than oneself. The truth is, we do only live once, and we should live each day like it is the last… not just for ourselves but for everyone! How would your life change if you knew that you were promised tomorrow, but your neighbor was not? Do not miss an opportunity to be the Christ that your neighbor needs today, because you are waiting on your tomorrow.

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17

We are planners. We love to forecast what life will be like tomorrow or ten years from now. I don’t think Pastor James is against considering tomorrow, or even planning the launch of a business venture. What he seems to be discouraging is the kind of planning that is foolishly done at the expense of the present. In fact, James teaches us, neglecting what needs to be done in the present, or the things we know we ought to be doing right now is sinful.

All the vision, goal setting, and strategic planning for tomorrow is pointless if we are not faithful to do what ought to be done today.

Jesus would have us live and love in the present, and entrust all our plans for tomorrow to the Lord.

Re:Verse passage – James 4:13-17 (day five) 

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?”

Which 2 books give accurate descriptions of our lives?  May I suggest planners (calendars) and diaries. One book (planner) is the accurate picture of how our time is spent, and used- activities, priorities, busyness, sabbath, business, family. Looking through its pages will shed light on how we have planned and managed our time.

The other book (our diaries) gives insight to the people, personalities, and relationships that matter most- questions, concerns, experiences, struggles, feelings, insights, lessons learned, prayers, and convictions. Pastor James is teaching these believers that both time and life is more about the Lord than anything else. That there is a healthy balance that recognizes God’s sovereignty, our finiteness, and the actions and attitudes we must possess.

The Lord who holds time in is hand is also writing the narrative of our story. He is in control!!

Re:Verse passage – James 4:13-17 (day four)

Pride assumes that we are in control of the directions and events of our lives, much like the temptation in the Garden…’you can be like God.’  We would never state out loud that this was our intent, but we often act it out in reality.  For us to make our own plans and then move forward with the expectation that God will bless our tactics is the height of pride.  James says that when we know what is right and then don’t do it, we are sinning.

We have expectations in our lives.  We expect to live as long as our parents…assuming they lived to an advanced age.  We expect to work until we retire and then have enough money to live comfortably for the remaining years.  We expect to make our own decisions about our own lives.  But…there is nothing like a near fatal accident, or disease, or event to make us recognize we have no control over our lives.  Realization of our own mortality can bring home the truth of our full and complete dependence upon God.

Re:Verse passage – James 4:13-17 (day three)

If we can be sure of anything from James, it’s that his words will humble us. We all have big dreams for ourselves, we make elaborate plans, we imagine how much bigger and better our life will be in the next 5, 10, 15 years. Often, these dreams aren’t bad, they might even be about serving the Lord. But James reminds us here that this is not where we should dwell. We should dream, yes, we should make hopeful plans – but with each thought, with each plan, we should mimic the words of Jesus in Matthew 26, “Yet not as I will, but as You will, Lord.”

James reminds us that our life is but a mist. We live and breathe in this life only by the Spirit. How humbling! Even our most well-laid plans hang on the mercy of God in this quick mist of a life. But this shouldn’t cause us to hang our heads or become stagnant, by no means! We know that this God we rely on is good. The Spirit by which we live and breathe is trustworthy. This humble way of living allows us to be free, it allows us to celebrate! A life relying on our God is full of joy. Humbly go to God with all you’ve got, friends, you’ll come out dancing.

Megan Langan
Associate Minister for Single Adults