“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4).

Do you notice that it does not say get the law right and don’t sin?  It says endure and through endurance you will set aside sin.  And what is perfect and complete?  It literally means finished and whole.  There is a hole in you and who will fill it?  Will it be you?  No, despite all you can do the hole will still be there.  Will it be the Lord?  Yes. By His grace you will be finished and whole.  With the Lord, you have all you need.

Lord, You know where I am anxious and missing necessary things.  You know those parts of me that need to be worked upon.  You know me better than I know myself.  I have always been known, but You alone have fully known me.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I may be made whole as You finish me in this age, preparing me for the age to come.  Lead me through what You are doing in order that I may be completed in You.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  You have come to take away my sin that I may walk in the newness of life.  Through all that may come my way, grant that I may look to You, who alone is able to guide me perfectly, to endure what comes in this life.  Help me, Lord Jesus, to walk humbly with You and follow You where You lead.  May I learn to endure to the perfect result of Your salvation.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-3).

How is it that so many people believe that if one is Christian all will go well in this world?  This belief came from a time where many were in deep depravation, hoping for better in this life, but it has altered into thinking that if I ask God, I will receive manna.  We will have trials.  We will suffer.  That is what sin does: it brings suffering.  We live in a world filled with suffering.

The Lord did not promise that we would be exempt from suffering in this world.  Just the opposite.  As He suffered, we shall suffer.  The promise is redemption and eternal life with Him.  You will encounter trials.  Know that these will help grow in you what the Lord knows you need.  Do not believe the lie that it is otherwise but live in the truth the Lord has already spoken that you may have true and abiding life.

Lord and Master, You have come to lead the way.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of life so that I may now and always abide in You.  Help me understand that with You and in You alone is the hope of relief from suffering.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see that there is and will be suffering.  If you so bless me, I will grow old and die.  Keep me in Your promises, O Lord, and hold me close to You.  Amen.

“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are  dispersed abroad: Greetings” (James 1:1).

Sometimes we worry about who does and who does not pay enough attention to whatever we may understand as a “servant of righteousness” (Romans 6:16-18).  James is a slave (that is the actual Greek word) of Jesus.  It may chafe us, but we were created to serve.  We will serve our selves, an idea, or the Lord.  James is writing to the dispersed Jews around the Roman Empire.  Paul’s writings were primarily to Gentiles who became Christian.  The Lord built a team of bond-servants to reach all who would receive the Gospel.

“Greetings,” He says.  We are to greet one another as brothers and sisters and in the love of Christ know that our Lord is at work, building up the saints.  You and I who call ourselves Christian have a Master.  Not a boss.  Not just a leader, but a Master.  It is He who must lead because what we know is not enough to live the life into which He calls us.  Come then into the life He offers and see Him as your Lord and Master.

Lord and Master Jesus, I too often assume what You said later in John when You called the disciples friend.  That was only after they had been with you for  three years.  Lord, You are the Master.  Lead me as You will, when You will, and where You will.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see that in You alone is all my hope.  Bring me closer to You, Lord Jesus, so that I may learn from You and follow You always.  Amen.    

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philemon 1:25)

We used to respond to this, “And also with your spirit.”  Re-instill in your mind that You are saved by grace and that grace is Christ Himself.  Know that He abides in you and you should abide in Him when Christ is with your spirit through faith.  You were born flesh and blood and the Lord makes your spirit alive.  In the mystery of the faith, the Lord is making of you more than you can imagine.

Yes, Lord, come with your Spirit and dwell in me!  The Lord is the author and finisher of our faith and unless He acts, nothing can or will be done.  Receive the grace of Christ that you may be made alive in Him.  Apart from Him you can do nothing, but in Him you can do all things.  Come then and be truly alive (for He is the life) and receive the grace of Christ in a living faith.  Know by grace through faith  that He is always ready to forgive your sins when you repent and confess them.

Lord Jesus, You won from the cross all that is need for my redemption, but that is the beginning.  Help me abide with You now and walk in this grace You have given me.  Enliven my spirit that I would be alive in You.  Guide me according to Your goodness that I would now and always abide humbly in the truth You have revealed once for all to all the saints.  By Your grace, count me among their number.  Amen.

“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers” (Philemon 23-24).

Is this Mark who wrote the Gospel?  Is this Luke who wrote the Gospel?  The church has always been very connected.  You are a part of a fellowship that has been strong throughout history.  The communion of saints is a very real thing.  You have been grafted in by the grace of Christ.  Do you consider yourself a part of this continuity and family?  You should, for you are.  Send greetings to one another.

Lord, I think of my local fellowship as the church.  And sometimes I do not think of these things at all.  Help me realize that You are knitting together Your church.  You have brought together people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.  Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go and guide me according to Your word to be an encouragement to others, knowing that we are eternally connected through faith in You.

Lord Jesus, You died for the church, Your bride, in order that we may be eternally connected.  Guide me, knowing that I am a part of the eternal fellowship which You have created through the grace and mercy You have given from the cross.  Lead me, Lord, now and always to live in the love You are teaching me so that I may now and always be guided by Your goodness.  Be with me, Lord, this and every day.  Amen.  

“At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you” (Philemon 1:22).

Despite life’s circumstances, the one thing that is consistent with our life of faith is hope.  Even in prison, Paul had hope.  Ultimately, what we really have been given is hope in Christ.  Though the world may pass away, we have been given the hope that because Jesus lives, we too shall live.  Live then in this hope which you have been given and do not fall into the snares of this world which would strip you of hope.

You have been promised salvation through the grace of Christ.  You have been promised that through this faith You have been given, you would do many things.  Do you live by faith, or by  sight in this world of woe?  Go into all the world as Jesus said in the confidence of hope you have through Him knowing that He is working all things together for good for those who love Him.

Lord Jesus, You have come into this world so that as many as would be joined with You would not perish but have everlasting life.  Lead me, Lord, in order that I would now and always go in the way You lead.  Help me through all obstacles to put these things You teach into place.  Through Your goodness, I am more than able to conquer the obstacles that will get in my way.  Be the only One who leads me, Lord.  Amen.

“Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (Philemon 1:21).

If you were in the position of Philemon, would someone like Paul be able to say that they were confident in your decision?  Do you trust the Lord enough to put into place the principles He teaches you?  These are important questions, for they speak of what the Lord is doing in you through the salvation he gives.  Be confident and give confidence, for the Lord’s will is being done in you.

Lord, guide my life such that I do the things You would have me do.  Lead me in the right way of living life so that I put into practice the things You are teaching me.  Help me to not just be a hearer of Your Word, but one who does what You say.  Grant me confidence so that I may give others the confidence through faith You would have me give them.  Help me to be one who does more than just what I say.

Lord Jesus, You said that if we had faith a small as a mustard seed, we could do great things.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of this faith You have given me so that I would do what You ask.  Guide me through my doubts and frustrations in order that I would continue to grow in faith such that I become like You.  Through all things, guide me, Lord Jesus, in the narrow way that You have established.  Amen.

“I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.  Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ” (Philemon 1:19-20).

Where did this idea that a Christian has no obligations to practice his faith, and may do nothing nor ask for anything, come from?  Straight from the pits of hell.  It is okay to ask for righteousness’ sake.  The worker is worthy his wages.  Philemon owes and Paul is collecting for the sake of the church.  Let this principle become a part of your thinking.  The world thinks everyone selfish.  Perhaps we are. The Lord always provides.

Lord let me see that just because someone is demanding something, it means nothing, unless they are righteous in their demand.  Show me, with clarity, the difference between selfish and righteous requests.  Guide me to learn how to avoid disappointing my heavenly Father.  Lead me according to Your goodness to grow in faith and to be thankful for those who have invested themselves in my life and given so that I may receive Your Gospel.

Lord Jesus, You have asked of nothing less than the whole of me to follow You.  Keep me from the devilish game of withholding from You even one small piece of who I am.  Guide me in Your goodness to learn these things and put them into effect in my life.  Help me now and always to look to You, the giver of all good gifts, and by Your example, live out the grace You have given me unto eternal life.  Amen.

“So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.  If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account” (Philemon 1:17-18).

Paul is trusting Philemon to do what is right in the sight of the Lord.  Listen carefully to what Paul is teaching us.  At the end of the day, the other will do what they do.  Just because someone has received the Gospel does not mean they will live it.  The church is filled with those who are both faithful and those who go back on their word.  Trust the Lord, but verify others who claim faith.

Yes, it is okay to trust and verify.  Somehow or other, many Christians believe that other Christians are sinless.  They are not.  We live in the reality that we all need Christ and what He alone can do.  Come then, learn the lesson and be one like whom Paul trusts to do the right thing.  Charge everything to the account of grace, but still be prudent and a good steward of these things.

Lord Jesus, You are growing me up to be a child of the Father.  There are many facets of grace and the depth of faith is never-ending, just as the breadth of the reality of who You are is never-ending.  Guide me, Lord, that I would not simply rest in the faith I have obtained by grace but continue to grow in the knowledge of who You are.  Lead me in the mysteries of the faith such that I become Your trustworthy servant in living out the Gospel.  Amen.

“For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother – especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 1:15-16).

Paul points to that place where all we can do is wonder.  We know that everything is in the Lord’s hands.  We know that He is working everything together for good.  Does He stoop to this level?  Yes, yes He does.  All things means all things.  Do not be led by the ways of this world, but by the truth and goodness of the Lord.  Know that in Him alone is the ability given to join in His goodness.

Lord, You have come that all who believe, see the light and come into Your presence might be guided into Your goodness and mercy.  We begin life in one place, but, if we follow the Lord, end up in an entirely different place.  What should we say to this?  If God be for us, who can be against us?  Come then into the provision of the Lord and leave behind worldly conformity to live into Christ our Savior.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save us completely.  You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  When pressed into a corner, as we will be, between what is right in Your eyes and what I do according to the world, help me live into the Christ-life and do what is right in Your eyes.  You have set these things up so that we may walk into the life You offer by Your grace.  Lead me, Lord, into this new life.  Amen.