“Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well” (James 3:3).

Who holds the power in nations?  Is it the strong men, or those who control with their tongues?  How powerful the tongue is, for evil, but also for good.  Let your tongue be guided by the Holy Spirit in order that You may know and live out the goodness of the Lord.  Working out what you say of your faith is doing what you say in private as well as public.  They are in the same thread of wisdom.  Look to the One who will lead you.

You know where I do not do these things, Lord.  You know where I need to be guided by You to grow in the likeness of Christ.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may now and always be led by  You and You alone.  Help me to repent when my tongue wags, curses, or utters things that are not pleasing to You.  Lead me away from ungodliness and into Your presence to become more like Your Son.

Lord Jesus, You are the example of the godly life.  Help me to follow You  today and then, bridle my tongue.  Lead me, Lord, and help me to understand that only in You is there hope and a future.  You are doing in me what needs to be done.  Help me trust as You lead me in the way I need to go.  Aid me to willingly co-operate with the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (James 3:2).

The great equalizer: imperfection.  In one sense, we are not equal, for we each have our part in the body of Christ.  On the other hand, we are all absolutely equal, for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.  Knowing that you have stumbled, why do you treat another badly when they stumble?  Should you not give them the grace you receive?  You are not perfect.  Not yet.

Lord, You told us to be perfect even as the Heavenly Father is perfect.  But I am not.  Far from it.  You are the One who must perfect me.  Guide me in the upward way and fill me with grace for others.  We all have fallen short.  Take me off every “high horse” and teach me to care about others as You care about me.  Teach me all that I need to know and then help me put these things in action.

Lord Jesus, You were intentional with every word You spoke.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of speaking that I too would be intentional with my words.  Help me to know that You are here with us and that Your grace lifts me up.  Lead me so that the words of my mouth lift up others the way You have lifted me up.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy all the days of my life, now and always.  Amen.

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).

One of the problems in a world where truth is relative, is that anyone and everyone thinks their opinion is equal to everyone else’s.  That may be the way of the world, but we are warned that one needs to know what they are talking about before they talk.  The Lord wants the truth spoken – not your version of what you think the truth is. We are accountable to the Lord.  Do as the Lord calls you to do: speak the truth that is absolute.

Lord, there are parts of Your word which I easily listen to and then other parts which I ignore.  All of Your word is profitable.  Guide me in the call You have given me so that I would not go where I have not been called, nor teach where I have not been empowered by You to teach.  In You, Lord, is all wisdom and I ask You to grant me that wisdom through Your mercy and grace.

I hear You, Lord.  Help me take all the tasks You give me seriously.  Nothing is more important than You.  You have given me the words of eternal life and all the words in this age are temporary.  Lead me in wisdom, Holy Spirit, in order that I would not shirk what is right and good, but live into the goodness and mercy You have given me.  Let me be responsible and respect those who are responsible and called by You.  Amen.

“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

An animated being, that is what many people are.  Have you ever wondered why the fascination with zombies?  Here you have it: the walking dead.  Many live as though they weren’t living.  The just exist.  The Lord awakens our spirit and makes us truly alive.  Come then and see the difference in one who is living their faith versus one who is just going through the motions of this life.

You know where I too fall into the trap of just going through the motions, Lord.  Help me to be alive in You by living out this faith that You have given me.  Guide me according to Your purposes to see and better understand that You do not ask me to do the impossible but simply live into the faith that You have given me.  Lead me, Lord, according to Your purposes to know and do these things.

Lord Jesus, as You walked, You taught the disciples.  You healed people when You came into their town.  You fed thousands after teaching them.  You did things along the way.  Help me to understand that You are calling me to be a person of action and not just hear or read about these things and only think about them.  Help me to have a living faith that is expressed in all I think, say, and do.  Amen.

“In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” (James 2:25)

We do the best we can.  Well, those who act in the Lord are doing the best they can.  There are those who do nothing.  It is to these who James is talking about.  Those who are doing what they are called to do may find these things are not helpful.  But the warning goes out to those who are doing nothing because, well, they are doing nothing.  How often do you listen to those who do lots of talking, but actually do nothing?

Lord, grant that I would learn discernment so that when I see someone who talks, but does nothing, I would see and understand.  Jesus, You have taught me that I can see people’s faith through their works.  It is not their works that saves them, but You.  However, as saved people, they are living in the salvation You have given them.  Help me to see these things more clearly.

Thank You, Jesus, for making the walk on the road of faith possible.  Help me, dear Lord, to walk this day knowing that in You is all hope and the only future worth living.  Guide me according to Your purposes to see these things more clearly.  Help me put into action my own faith in order that I would be someone who does what You say and not just someone who loves to talk about it.  Amen.

“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).

Isn’t it like the Hebrew he is to argue the point?  But what is the point?  Is it to negate what Christ has done?  No!  It is to say that if you sit by and do nothing, then nothing will happen.  If you walk in the faith you have been given, then in that walking comes justification.  Look, when it happens is God’s business.  That it happens is Christ’s business.  What then?  Join in and make it your business.

Lord, the final place for pride is in thinking that I have something to do with what You are creating.  And yet, I can resist what You are doing.  Help me, Lord, to live into the life You give by grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that You have given me the gift of life through faith.  Help me now and always to co-operate with You in what You are doing so that I may be one who lives by faith.

Thank You, Jesus, for opening the way to the new life You give by faith.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of truth that You have revealed.  Lead me, Holy Spirit, in order that I would now and forever be led by You.  Father, may I continue willingly to be shaped according to Your will.  In all things, Lord Jesus, You must be the author and finisher of my faith.  Guide me by faith toward the completion You will accomplish.  Amen.

“You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God” (James 2:22-23).

Who knows what goes on in the heart.  One may have a poor upbringing and a cruel disposition; another may show more courage in holding back on his inclinations; one may give up his life for another.  In the act, the trying, the willingness to accede to the Lord, based on faith that this act does make a difference, this is the faith which is grown in measure by measue by the Holy Spirit according to the Lord’s purpose.

Lord, none of us know the fulness of the truth which You have planned and set before us.  Guide me, Lord, in all truth so that I would hold fast to You and what You have revealed.  In faith, help me to go into and through this day.  By faith, help me trust what You are asking me to do.  Through faith, guide me into the fulness of life which is mine by grace knowing that You are at work in me.

Lord Jesus, You died so that I might be set free.  I am freed from the curse of sin and death.  Help me, O Lord, to face life.  Guide me in the way of life to step out in faith.  Yes, this is work, but it is Your work in, by, and through me.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life  that I may now and forever by guided by You.  Help me, dear Savior, to do these things in a way that is pleasing to You.  Amen.

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” (James 2:21)

Look carefully at the sequence of events with Abraham and you will see that faith was first.  He was willing to do what God asked him to do even though it seemed that in doing so, he would lose what was promised.  He believed God.  That is, He trusted God and when God told him to do something, he did it.  Yes, it really is that simple.  Do you listen to the Lord and then step out in trust to do what He says?

Lord, I know that You speak to me through Your Word.  Sometimes You speak to me when I pray.  There are many ways that You speak, but often I do not listen.  My hearing needs to be healed.  Guide me to become one who acts upon the instructions You give.  Teach me to not just take in the words You give, but act upon them and live them out faithfully.  You have given me the words of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, before You ascended, You told the disciples that You have all authority.  You told us to make disciples, baptize, and teach everyone to obey all that You command.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I would live into the promises You give (live into, that is, do what You ask me to do).  That last part is about obeying.  Lord, teach me to obey all that You command.  Amen.

“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?” (James 2:19)

The demons work as they do to thwart God.  They act on what they know.  In other words, they believe.  How is it then that we have this idea that somehow or other we need do nothing, which is the same as saying that we do not believe?  You will act upon that in which you have faith, or in the case of the wicked ones, act against.  Both are because of the same source.  One is evil and the other good.

Lord, I work so that I can earn money to pay bills and so on.  I know – know – there are things I need to do.  Yet, in my faith I am often without action because, well, I don’t think about it.  Lead me to have faith followed by action, that is, belief.  Keep the temptation of inaction far from me so that I would be one who does what is pleasing in Your sight and not just someone who talks of, but doesn’t walk in, faith.

Lord Jesus, You came into the world and were constantly doing things.  You did not just teach, but You also healed along the way.  You were doing things, all that the Father gave You to do.  In that example, lead me to be someone who does things that are right and fitting as one who has faith.  Guide me so that I never put what I do first; but let the faith You have given me lead the way.  Amen.

“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 2:18)

There are way too many who pontificate about all kinds of things.  It means nothing.  It does nothing.  Yes, there are topics such as global warming, racial tensions, etc..  It is all the hot air of pontificating folk who do nothing.  But you, you have been called into the presence of the Almighty and eternal God.  Do you come to Him empty handed?  Come with all you are and serve Him.  Serve Him in all you do, for faith must produce fruits.

Lord, St. Paul said it to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, do as serving the Lord.”  Why do those who spew hot air make it so much more difficult than it needs to be.  If I am hungry, I eat.  If I am thirsty, I drink.  If I have faith, it is evident by more than just the words I say.  Lead me, Lord, to have the kind of faith that is evident.  You did not just give us words, but in Christ, You showed us how to serve You in our neighbors.

Lord Jesus, You have done for me that which I could not do myself.  But there are things I can do, and You give me grace to step up and do them.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of life so that I would be guided by You now and always.  You have come into the world to set free the captives to do the work You give us to do while it is day.  Grant me the desire and  fortitude to bear fruit befitting the kingdom.  Amen.