A DAY OF PRAYER’s Morning Bible Study

James | Chapter 2:14-19 Pt. II (Faith is Demonstrated by Obedience at Great Personal Cost)

Episode 804 ~ Whatever amount of Faith you have, use it. We should always be building our faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God; but just being a glutton on the Word and filling up and bloating yourself up on the Word so you have more faith; but you never actually use it, is doing yourself a disservice to be sure. All the "Heroes of Faith. All of those things that they did came as a result of their Faith being put into action. And, really its obedience to the Lord which demonstrates our Love, Faith in Him in the immediate, and Hope; which is our future faith in the Lord.

James | Chapter 2:20-26 Pt. I (Faith Made Perfect)

Episode 805 ~ We are to honor the Lord, which is not just doing vain things; say hopefully it'll be good enough for You Lord. It's purposeful, Holy Spirit led, action; which is meaningful movement and faith filled action before the Lord.

James | Chapter 2:20-26 Pt. II (Putting Your Focused Effort on the Task the Lord Gave You)

Episode 806 ~ We should never neglect the things the Lord gave you charge over, casting them them aside, in attempt to help somebody else to fulfill their commitment. Such as being good to the widows and the orphans, while forsaking your children. That is a violation of what the Lord said and He gave you / me charge over. We are called to manage our own household well, and do all things in excellence unto the Lord. We can do all things through Christ. 

James | Chapter 2:20-26 Pt. III (Strike the Ground!)

Episode 807 ~ When we receive instruction from the Lord and do not follow it through to the end, that is sin. Following the Lord is never only about receiving the things we desire; it is about the Lord doing a work that includes blessing for future generations. If a generation fails to fulfill, or complete, what the Lord has for that generation to do; then the next generation is impacted, having to finish what is incomplete - delaying the fulness of the blessing the Lord is giving His people.

James | Chapter 2:20-26 Pt. IV (Man's Faith is Justified by Works of God)

Episode 808 ~ If you believe God, you'll obey God. You'll do what's right and appropriate according to The Lord. The Lord is not satisfied with us just seeing or knowing or understanding; we have to do. And not only that, it's not just good that we started; you have to finish the journey that's been assigned to you by the Lord.

James | Chapter 3:1-5 Pt. I (Introduction to the Importance of the Tongue)

Episode 809 ~ There is great importance in having right understanding concerning the things of God, and His creation; because, the words that come out of our mouth have significant impact to you, to / in your life, and on the destiny track the Lord has for you. 

James | Chapter 3:1-5 Pt. II (Letting the Lord Guide Your Tongue)

Episode 810 ~ Allowing God to lead us and guide us in order to say what we need to say, is going to produce the Divine outcome or the Heavenly outcome to the situation and / or circumstance. 

James | Chapter 3:6-12 Pt. I (You Are What You Speak)

Episode 811 ~ When we're speaking contrary to what the Lord is saying, we are allowing the adversary to rob us of our faith that we need. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. You are what you speak; and, that will either work for you or against you. You are what you speak.

James | Chapter 3:6-12 Pt. II (How can it be both?)

Episode 812 ~ the Lord, through James, gives us lots of practical application that we must apply to our life immediately; so we will learn and grow and in the Faith. Let's learn and understand how to sort out your tongue.

James | Chapter 3:13-18 Pt. I (Wisdom from Above)

Episode 813 ~ Every person, has to make a decision for Christ, I live; and for Christ, I continue to the end. It takes more than just saying I believe there's a God somewhere. The Lord has a full on expectation that we will show forth the fruit of His righteousness in our own lives; so that he is glorified and honored by what we're doing. We can only accomplish that with the Wisdom that comes straight from the Lord. 

James | Chapter 3:13-18 Pt. II (Heavenly Wisdom comes from Love)

Episode 814 ~ One of the major differences with Heavenly Wisdom is, no matter what's going to happen, there's not gonna be found anything against us; neither is there going to be anything that can stand against it [Heavenly Wisdom] to prevail. It [Heavenly Wisdom] always provides the perfect strategy, to walk and live in constant and continuous Victory. 

James | Chapter 4:1-6 Pt. I (Be Humble and ASK)

Episode 815 ~ The Word gives us grace in order to become more like Him, Therefore James says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Are we humble enough to ask God for what we really want; and to allow Him to actually shape us, invite us to conform our heart and motivations for asking to reflect His ways and thoughts? God can work with that. We must constantly be destroying anything that does not glorify or magnify His Name or His Will; if it's not a part of His Plan for our life.

James | Chapter 4:1-6 Pt. II (Examine Yourself with God; in Love)

Episode 816 ~ as we're studying James and we're discussing the word, it's important that we keep at the forefront that; this is a mirror to examine / judge me. This is for me to examine my own life and see whether or not I'm measuring up to the stature of the measure of the Man, Christ Jesus; whether or not I'm measuring up to God's expectations, if I'm growing in faith, and if I'm walking out what the Lord wants me to walk out on the destiny track He has prepared for my life. 

James | Chapter 4:7-10 Pt. I (Decide Who's Side You're On)

Episode 817 ~ The Lord, through James, is asking us to decide who you're gonna be; stop straddling the fence. Decide; if you're on God's side, then be on His side. Look like you're on His side. Act like you're on His side. Live like you're on His side. Live like Jesus died for you. Live like the Word of God is The Truth. Don't just put on a facade depending on who you're around; then, whenever no one's looking, you're back to the worldly ways and you are denying God, He's saying, decide.

James | Chapter 4:7-10 Pt. II (Are You Humble enough to ASK the Lord?)

Episode 818 ~ If I humble myself in the sight of the Lord, He's going to lift me up. If I submit to God and I resist the devil, the devil's going to flee from me. God gives grace. He does not indulge proud, hearted people; but He gives grace to the humble. So as I humble myself, I'm going to get grace; I'm going to draw near and I'm going to be drawn into the bosom of God. I'm going to find out His secret ways. There are secret things that belong to the Lord, and He reserves those for the people that He can trust. Those who love Him and are willing to come by / through the Door.

James | Chapter 4:11-12 Pt. I (Judging by the Lord, the Righteous Judge)

Episode 819 ~ Throughout the Word of God we are instructed not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. That means you've gotten it (the Word / the Judgment or Verdict) from the Lord, not your personal bag of righteous indignation; because. your flesh has been corrupted by sin nature. And, the only place righteous judgment comes from is the Lord; Who is able to make His servant stand.

James | Chapter 4:11-12 Pt. II (Fulfilling the Law)

Episode 820 ~ The righteous Lawgiver doesn't shift the law based on his own personal standard. We like to change the law, to justify ourselves from ourselves; and, to condemn someone else. But, we're doing the exact same thing when we want, or attempt, to change the law so it's favorable towards us and harsh towards another. But the Lord, the One who wrote the rules, can tell when you're in violation of it or you're not. And, He [Jesus] showed us when He lived out His life here on earth as a pattern and example, or demonstrating to us how to fulfill the Law, during His earthly ministry. Jesus showed us how to fulfill the Law; which is by saying what the Father says to say, and doing what the Father is doing.

James | Chapter 4:13-17 Pt. I (Knowing to do Good; According to the Lord's Will)

Episode 821 ~ You were bought with a price; and, you expect to come and receive all the blessing and the benefit that God offers. He has an expectation as well; that we will yield our members to Him, that we will yield and obey what God is talking about. Or whatever He's designed for us to do; so that He can complete the work that He desires to accomplish through us. Even that the concept of knowing what that means, to be bought with a price and knowing what it means to submit to God, resist the devil, He'll flee from you is incredible. God is not telling an unbeliever to resist or submit to Him. . The Lord has welcomed everybody; but, He doesn't have an expectation that they're gonna be submitted. That's actually contrary to the whole concept. They're not believers because they're not submitted and they have no intention of being submitted. So, where do you stand?

James | Chapter 4:13-17 Pt. II (Letting the Lord Clarify Our Thoughts and Actions Pt. I)

Episode 822 ~ It's our job to no longer be self willed, but to be God willed. Just as we see in our our Lord and Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane. Nevertheless, not My will, but Your will be done. Jesus didn't walk in a constant struggle; He was saying that out loud for our benefit; articulating what He knew and understood, so we can follow His example. 

James | Chapter 4:13-17 Pt. III (Knowing to do Good; According to the Lord's Will Pt. II)

Episode 823 ~ Let's allow the Lord to tie some points together on what we've been discussing here in the past two episodes. When you get down to the core,  it is about letting the Lord clarify to us, our thoughts and actions. So, let's continue to be refined by the Lord. 

James | Chapter 5:1-6 Pt. I (You will Reap what You have Sown)

Episode 824 ~ We're told, by the Lord, through the apostle Paul to do good to everyone; especially those that are on the Household of Faith, and that are our brothers and sisters in the world. Not to get rich at their expense, not to profit or come up to a higher level of lifestyle; or as it says in here, you lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury. But, at whose expense? Jesus, told us not to be deceived, God is not mocked; what a man sows, he shall reap. So in this section of Scripture, the people are now experiencing, or will experience, the fruit of what they have sown. How they have treated, or mistreated, their neighbor.

James | Chapter 5:1-6 Pt. II (The Lord's Heart Towards the Oppressed)

Episode 825 ~ Let's understand the Lord's hearts concerning us. It's the same; whether it's concerning money or whether you actually took a life. He's saying don't do anything against your neighbor; love your neighbor as yourself. Don't oppress them, don't do all those things that are in opposition to the Lord; that are against His nature, His character, His attributes, and His statutes. The Lord views those things as identical, because its sin; and, sin separates us from the Lord.

James | Chapter 5:7-12 Pt. I (Don't Lose Sight of the Goal)

Episode 826 ~ There are those who will say, "Lord, Lord, I've done all these things in Your Name;" and they will rightly have done so. They could cast demons out, caught fire down; but they lost sight of the goal. They lost that they are doing such to please God and instead are attempting to be pleasing toward men. Trying to seem powerful on the outside towards men, instead of being powerful and dynamic towards God; in regard of flowing in His Spirit and as the Lord was walking and operating here on the earth.

James | Chapter 5:7-12 Pt. II (Being Patient and Persevering, for the Lord's Return)

Episode 827 ~ Being patient and persevering is about the love in our heart towards the Lord; and demonstrating His love towards our neighbor as ourself. Are we being patient, bearing with, and being the long-suffering with our neighbor; in order to bring about a good fruit at the end. Or, at least give it (be patient until) the fullness of time the Lord has provided, for our neighbor to conform to the image of Jesus the Christ? While also maintaining, or persevering, in faithfulness towards the Lord, in the Covenant and Destiny Track He made with, and for, you. 

James | Chapter 5:7-12 Pt. III (How do We Change; Conforming to the Image of the Lord?)

Episode 828 ~ It's always important that as we read the word of God, we look at ourselves. How do we change, to move forward in the things of God? How do we grasp this concept? With their heart and willingly with their mind. Because, your mind and your will play a part in you actively walking out the things of God consistently. Your spirit man wants to do what God wants; but, it's that mind and that will those emotions that get in the way. But, if you train them and if you put something there that's valuable; and you engage them with the intention of conforming to the image of God, you'll grow. But, you do have to be active about it, to see those results consistently. That's what our Lord and Savior is looking for.

James | Chapter 5:7-12 Pt. IV (How are You Treating the Lord?)

Episode 829 ~ In general, people want to portray a good outside; and we don't want people to think negatively of us. We don't want to show them all that's the bad attitude, or the grumbling. People want everybody to think of you as. being is so sweet, so nice; but all the while you in the inside may be full of anger and hate. That's not how it should be. That's not how the Lord intended it to be, which is what James is getting at here. It's a very practical book, but it's a practical book in regard of how we treat God. Mean that treating one another is good and all; but, if you're treating God like He's worthless, it's gonna come out to everybody else.

James | Chapter 5:13-18 Pt. I (A Call to Meditate on the Word of God)

Episode 830 ~ Whatever Holy Spirit says is going to be valuable; and, that is what we're supposed to be meditating on. We should be meditating on The Lord's Word to us; because that's true. Also, understand that what we meditate on is going to produce fruit. Meditating on the Word of the Lord will produce good fruit in us. 

James | Chapter 5:13-18 Pt. II (Relationship with the Lord, is more than Naming the Name of Jesus)

Episode 831 ~ If we come to God, and we say we know Him, but then yet we make no room for Holy Spirit to guide us or to lead us; are we really walking in the Spirit? And, are we really behaving like His sons or his daughters, if He has no right to command us? Even if you name the Name of Jesus Christ and you, receive salvation; it never means you can tell the Lord that you've got the it from here. Or, I'll just do what I think; and you just bless it. That's still never works.

James | Chapter 5:13-18 Pt. III (God's Success, Coming Through Us)

Episode 832 ~ It can be think that Jesus measure of success was because He is and was and is God; that he was just successful by Himself, and that He had all the power needed. But, it's more so concerning His ability to listen to His Heavenly Father, through Holy Spirit, to point out certain people and what they needed; or, what needed to be done concerning them.

James | Chapter 5:13-18 Pt. IV (The Consistency of the Lord: Healing & Reconciliation)

Episode 833 ~ Pertaining to restoration and reconciliation, doesn't matter if it's sickness, and doesn't matter if it's someone that has chosen up to that point chosen to be out of alignment with the Lord. The Lord. Gave us the Ministry of Reconciliation. If your body has an issue if, if it is out of alignment, or if there is something that ails it; there needs to be healing and restoration. It needs to be reconciled back to properly to the Body - I'm referring to the Church, which is also the Bride of Christ. That reconciliation, and being brought back or restored, positions you to a place where you can function properly; right now.

Christian Heritage Month 2024!

Remembering is an important component of the life on any Believer. And, remembering to look for Christ's influence in your day-to-day, your personal history, and the nation and the world around you; is important to strengthen and encourage you, and those around you, in your walk of Faith.  Celebrate Christian Heritage Month with us. 
https://www.adayofprayer.org/christianheritagemonth

James | Chapter 5:19-20 Pt. I (Covering in Love; not Exposing Another's Sin)

Episode 834 ~ Jesus didn't beat down everybody. We did that, the woman kind of adultery said. A perfect example. He addressed the cost, but he didn't expose it. There's a difference between the two. You can still dress them but not expose them. But people think that to address, you have to expose them; and, embarrass and shame the person that is committing the sin. He did not. He protected her dignity. And, gave her a chance for restoration and reconciliation and to have a new life. He gave her a chance to come away from that sin and not be burdened or shackled with the stigma of how people think about it; the stereotypes or the embarrassment of it. Jesus covered her; while also instructing her to go and sin no more, because it's not good for you. He still loved her; but, He didn't put her out there to be exposed, or let everybody beat up on her, and brutalize her. 

James | Chapter 5:19-20 Pt. II (Separating People from Their Sin)

Episode 835 ~ God is able to work all those things together and He just needs us to humble ourselves, submit to him, and let Him work the works through us; which, is how Jesus operated. The Lord covered them as He was speaking out loud. He covered their dignity while also communicating in a way that conveyed to them that He knew them, and the specific thing(s) / sin(s) He was addressing; so they could get their whole life together. He didn't call them by their sin; or let it define them. He saw and addressed them as Heavenly Father sees them; and, we are called to do the same. 

James | Chapter 5:19-20 Pt. III (Restoration in the Spirit of Gentleness)

Episode 836 ~ We are called to take God's perspective on every matter. This is how all the Lord's servants, whom the Lord sent to deal with a situation functioned; and were ultimately used by the Lord to provide an opportunity for the individual in sin to be restored / reconciled to the Lord. They maintained course by stating how what the Lord says; and, letting the person know how God feels about it.

James | Study Wrap-up

Episode 837 ~ Join us as we conclude this study of the Book of James; sharing some of the things that stood out as the Lord ministered, and the practical application today.  We will begin a study of the Book of Zechariah on 6/10/2024.

Zechariah | Introduction & Overview

Episode 838 ~ In the Book of Zechariah, there are many aspects that apply to the time, the new phase, and season of restoration that the Lord has brought us into. We, the people, have a role in participating or coming into alignment with the Lord's plan of restoration. Now, the new phase will require the Body and the Bride of Christ to have a hammer of one hand and a sword in the other. It will also require each member to begin demonstrating that the skills that have been developed as part of the Lord's End-Time Army in the earlier studies, going all the way back to Acts.

Restoration Begins with Repentance

Zechariah | Chapter 1:1-6 Pt. I ~ Episode 839:
 In every generation, the people have a role to fulfill; participating in the restoration the Lord desires to bring about. We, this generation, much like the generation in Haggai and Zechariah's day, have the opportunity to come into alignment with the Lord's plan for restoration; and what He's doing in making a people prepare for His return. 

Turning Back to the Lord

Zechariah | Chapter 1:1-6 Pt. II ~ Episode 840:
Without Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross there would have been no other way for us; humanity, mankind, to be restored once we fell into sin without Him. There was no other process, no other way back other than through Christ Jesus. So the Lord was gracious to us and merciful and allowed Him to be the scapegoat for us; as He is and was truly blameless and innocent, Who died for the sins of the unrighteous to pay the penalty for you. Let's realize that anytime that you found yourself on the side of penalty, there was something that you did or did not do that was out of alignment with the will and the purpose of God. Let's turn back to the Lord, sing for His forgiveness; and not doing those things that are in opposition to Him anymore. 

Delay is Disobedience

Zechariah | Chapter 1:1-6 Pt. III ~ Episode 841:
  Anytime you see in the Word of God that the Lord assigns accountability for something, it means that they had other options with the Lord than what they took, or, than what they did. The very first thing the Lord sends Zechariah to address is for them to repent and turn to the Lord; because, they've been taking care of their own house, which is causing delay, or delaying, the work that the Lord had called them to do. Let's understand how this applies to our life today. 

God's Heart Towards You

Zechariah | Chapter 1:7-17 Pt. I ~ Episode 842:
 God is the only creator of good, and he only does good things when Christ is talking. Here the Angel of the Lord as he fulfilled his role before he put on natural flesh and came into the earth. What He (Jesus the Christ, the Angel of the Lord) is doing, is using words to articulate the heart of God to the people - to deliver the prophetic message of good. To provide hope. 

The Lord Remembers

Zechariah | Chapter 1:7-17 Pt. II ~ Episode 843:
 The Lord remembers His blessing at the appropriate / right time. Let's understand the whole point of purpose of all these dreams and visions were for - Which was to encourage the people, so they would participate in the Lord's plan of restoration. 
 

The Lord's Grace and Mercy in His Plans and Processes

Zechariah | Chapter 1:7-17 Pt. III ~ Episode 844:
The Lord always declares what He's going to do concerning His people; Those in Covenant relationship with Him. He's saying He is going to protect them; But, the Lord also says He's giving them mercy, He's giving them grace, and prosperity, and all the things that are required to encourage them to do the work that He's called them to do. And, the Lord's doing the same thing here and now today. For you. For your family, for your community, and for your nation to answer the Lord's call. 

Raising Up the Standard

Zechariah | Chapter 1:7-17 Pt. IV ~ Episode 845:
The Lord is raising up His standard. He's given grace, He's given mercy, time, opportunity to step into His plans and His purposes. For us to fulfill our role in His plans and His purposes, we must willingly choose that standard He has raised; which He absolutely did through Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior. And, with Jesus being that type that pattern and standard for us to follow, which is set before us, we must choose to enter into Divine Alignment withHis Covenant with all diligence. 

The Meaning of the Horns

Zechariah | Chapter 1:18-21 Pt. I ~ Episode 846:
To fully understand the four (4) Horns, we must understand their role - what they do; or what purpose they fulfill. Also, we can examine these horns in line with the Book of Revelation; which also then would connect to the Book of Daniel and the kingdoms that ultimately took Israel captive and scattered its people across the earth.

Understanding the Craftsmen

Zechariah | Chapter 1:18-21 Pt. II ~ Episode 847:
As the Lord led us to discuss the Book of Zechariah to prepare us for His plan of restoration in this season; He demonstrates to us, through these four Craftsmen, His intended purpose - Ultimately to destroy the works of the devil / antichrist.

Be Used to Destroy the Works of the Devil

Zechariah | Chapter 1:18-21 Pt. III ~ Episode 848:
The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. Is that not what the Craftsman are doing? Destroying everything that the devil thought he had accomplished through these four Horns. And, guess what; the Lord desires to use you, to fulfill your part on His plan and Destiny track for your life, to destroy the works of the devil and occupy the territory He's given you. 

Fulfill the Work of the Lord

Zechariah | Chapter 1:18-21 Pt. IV ~ Episode 849:
The Lord is always looking for those whom He can show Himself strong on their behalf. And those that showed themselves strong throughout the world, have been refined. They've been brought, if you will, through the fire or the processes that prepares them to carry out the plans the Lord has on the Destiny Track in their lives; for His Glory. Just like we see with Jesus; He was always moving forward and fulfilling all that the Father had for Him to do. It's no different for us today.

Receiving the Lord's Perspective

Zechariah | Chapter 2:1-13 Pt. I ~ Episode 850:
In all things, we are called to, listen and obey what Holy Spirit is disclosing to us; from Heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus. That's exactly how Jesus, our pattern and example, functioned in His earthly ministry. He received His Heavenly Father's perspective and instruction on the matter; then operated in obedience to the direction provided through Holy Spirit. We need to choose to follow, or pattern ourself and our walk of faith, after the example provided to us in Jesus the Christ.

The Many Layers in the Manifold Wisdom of the Lord

Zechariah | Chapter 2:1-13 Pt. II ~ Episode 851:
When we ask the Lord to provide us with The Truth, and carry out His instructions in obedience, we can trust Him with the results. Not only for the current situation; also, for all the intersecting points on each layer; because the Lord's wisdom is beyond comprehension, and He knows everything. even from before the foundation of the Earth; He knew every exacting detail in the Heavens and on the Earth. 

The Glorious Mission

Zechariah | Chapter 2:1-13 Pt. III ~ Episode 852:
Jesus the Christ did nothing from His own initiative. He [Jesus] being our patterns and example means, His way of functioning in the Earth, still applies to day. For His mission, His ministry and the journey that God sent Him on here in the earth; He had to obey God the Father absolutely; and maintain that Divine order. Then, I think we we better put some extra emphasis on that, instead of making extra leeway for us to divert from the planet got bit. God's Kingdom remains divinely submitted to the Divine order; willingly obedient to the Father.