Employed or unemployed?

The 2009 economic crisis has affected everyone in every walk of life. Saving & jobs are lost, belt tightening in every quarters ranging from domestic finances to big corporate budgets. The common thread of this economic crisis boils down to 'greed'.

Can we liken this to the times of Noah? when people were more worried about themselves rather than listening and doing what was right in the eyes of God.

Let's pray and let's not point fingers at anyone about the mess we're in.

Firstly, pray for the unemployed.
- Lord our Father in heaven, we feel disappointed and depressed due to our circumstances. Help us to trace back our spiritual walk with Jesus in our day to day dealings rather than focusing on our situation. We know only you can make it happen through the working of the Holy Spirit. Help us to reaffirm those who are fighting it out right now. Bring back a godly confidence in your children so that they can rely on your promises each day. We ask this in Jesus' name! Amen!

Secondly, pray for ourselves if you are still employed.

• Employees be as flexible as possible to assist businesses
  
• Create a cohesive atmosphere and a sense of 'fair go' at workplaces
• Christians should create an influence at work, our attitude should be such that we attract people to do business with us and colleagues could work with us without a feeling of being 'put down'
• We take care of our actions at work, i.e. how do we work when others are not watching us or when our bosses are not watching us?

Refer: Rom 12:17-19 & Matt 5:16

Dear Lord,
Help me to be the best person that I can be with an attitude that is brings comfort and joy in others around me. Help me to sharpen my skills to be better at what I do. At work, I want to oversee my issue and look to you for guidance, for I work as though as work for you Lord. You are the one who can sustain me, promote me and provide for me in this job. Help me to be effective at work and to bring increase to my employer. Thank you Jesus!
Amen.

Notes from my teaching on James 5

James Chapter 5

Rich people categories

• Poor outside, Rich inside – e.g. Who might this be?
• Rich outside, Rich inside – e.g. Abraham, Job & Barnabas
• Poor inside, Rich inside – e.g. Paul
• Rich outside, Poor inside - e.g. Who might this be?

V1. Rich people, learn to cry out from the miseries you will face
Luke 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:9

3 Ways to display one’s wealth

• Garments - Remember it will become rotten one day James 5:2
• Jewelry - Remember it will rust and be burnt up one day James 5:3
• Fine food - James 5:4-5

Matthew 6:20 – Make Heavenly investments

James 5:7-12
7 times – ‘Brothers’ meaning Christians
All what James says relates to verses 1-6
4 commands
Be Patient i.e. long Temper x4 v.7-8
Distant/far + Thermos = Long Temper
For how long should you hold it?
Prerequisite is obedience

Do not grumble or Murmur v.9
to murmur, mutter, say anything against in a low tone
To Judge - Criteria
With any proof or evidence
Everyone has to give account to Him – 1 Peter 4:5

Show perseverance v.10-11
Eph 6:18
steadfast – 2 Peter 1:10 “to make sure”
Example of prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord v.10

Do not swear v.12 means to affirm, promise, threaten, with an oath
Matthew 5:34

James 5:13-19
Who takes the initiative when one is suffering? V.13
Who should take the initiative when one is sick? V.14
How should Christians express their cheerfulness? (Col 3:16)

• By the Word of Christ
• Teaching & Correction
• Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
• Thanks giving

What two things should be done to the sick person?

1. Prayed over
2. Anointed in Oil

• Religious anointing
• E.g. David was anointed & Baptismal Anointment
• Anointing was also a physical ceremony

Read Luke 10:34
Two people were 1) Priest 2) Levi
Their roles – Pray & Anoint
Samaritan (usually unnamed v.37) showed:

• Compassion, Helped, Anointed, Funded for the care, Did not mind the discomfort, Took responsibility to pay back on his return.

Who do you think had a good ‘Christian’ attitude?

• Christian’s role – Priest & Levi or Samaritan?

Who was responsible for the healing of the sick man? James 5:14-15 or faith healer?
Confessing one’s sin with whom? V.17 (Acts 19:18) and PRAY

James uses Prayer as central focus of his book
Righteous/effective prayer

• Know the Lord’s words
• Be specific in your prayer (e.g Elijah v.17,18)
• Remove Cliche
• Prayer must be filled with Faith
• Don’t be surprised with the results, accept it as God only knows best and his time line.

Blessings!
Chris

When your dream are static..

What you wish may not happen in your lifetime, but what don't wish may come unexpectedly. I've learned to create an atmosphere to be content with what I have i.e to keep the dream alive and make it happen in others life as much as I can.