Saturday, January 24, 2009

Challenge

The greatest challenge is to receive a challenge. At different points of my life I have felt like I had enough “of whatever” to make it. Oh! how I was mistaken. The moment you think you got it together something new happens and forces you to receive or back up and let it pass.
Every challenge has the potential to bring growth. Challenges stir our love, force our creativity, give power to our personality, and increase our knowledge. Certain challenges have a unique way of stretching our core. And that is painful! I used to say things like “thats just not for me” or “I cant do that” or “I don’t want to deal” but something inside said “go for it, don’t let this moment pass you by!” So I did. I now know that voice inside was God leading me and I have learned that it is up me to embrace the challenge and allow it to bring growth.
Our world is faced with many challenges and the most important challenge is …will we receive the challenges or let them pass!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

James Ch 4&5

Ch 4
I must recognize what quarrels and conflicts that surround me and know that it always leads to something. Lust to murder, (and that can be done with my mouth) envious to fighting. It seems to come down to “what I want, I want!’ This is an attitude to avoid. I desire to respect my relationship with God. I desire for God to call me a friend.
Today is another gift from God. I hope I can experience every dimension of this gift.


Ch 5
Stay focused on your true riches and where they come from. Let integrity be in my mouth. Develop relationships that can withstand confession. Be effective in prayer, and go looking for a brother that is missing.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Its really simple, kinda!!

I am always amazed at the complex simplicity of the gospel. while reading James, it brings this thought upclose and personal again. How about this, " If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this ones religion is useless." (James 1:26) USELESS??? Did he say USELESS??? Of no use??? Those are some pretty powerful words, yet so simple. Have you ever noticed that it is only us "humans" that seem to complicate things? With God, He lays it all out pretty simple. (Thank you for that Jesus) I want the things, the simple things, that matter to Him the most, matter to me the most. If all it takes is that little muscle in my mouth to make me of no use, I think ill keep it stapled down!!(lol)

James Ch 3

Ch 3
v 1-12 – my tongue controls my destiny. Wow! the direction of my life is determined by my tongue. You will know the fire of my passion by the language in my mouth. It is hard to control the tongue but not impossible.

v13 – my wisdom is not demonstrated by my knowledge of a book, but rather the action I took.

It seems the book of James is a lot about personal growth.

Friday, January 16, 2009

James Ch. 2

The heading for chapter two says “The Sin of Partiality”.
I had to ask today, do I have an attitude of favoritism? Do I show partiality toward people? People that may not look a certain way, act a certain way, or smell a certain way. If I am showing partiality then sin is alive in my life.
Can the people that call God Lord really tear apart the unity in which God is building? God has asked me to love my neighbor as myself.
And that love takes action. I will show you my faith, my worship, my honor, and my love by my works.

It seems I always have a question that is asked when I read or when the bible reads me. So here’s the question, does my works represent my faith? The things I do, or the things I say I do for the Lord does it reflect my love, worship, honor and my faith?
I will be answering this question today in my life.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

James Ch 1

James Ch. 1
As I read today I thought it would be hard to see something fresh. After all I have used the book of James on many occasions to share relevant truths. However, three different verses jumped off the page this morning.

v. 1 – a bond servant is a very humbling greeting to the church. James being a valuable leader in the church starts by saying I am a servant to God. I always find it interesting, in the bible, the leaders we look at as GREAT never considered themselves that way. It calls me to remember humility.

v. 26 – bridling my tongue reflects the effectiveness of my worship. The very thing I live for is worthless if I cannot control my tongue. Every time I speak negativity I lose a sense of worth in my witness. Every time I complain about something I lose. Every time I let bitterness come from my mouth I lose.
The word worthless is a very strong word. Ouch! I don’t want to be worth nothing to God. I desire to be an asset to the kingdom not a liability.
I guess I need to control my tongue!

v. 27 – pure worship comes from helping the powerless. Reaching into the world and giving to someone that cannot give back to you. What’s in it for me? a question that the world has stained me with. I need to get out my spiritual stain remover and do everything I can to be pure and undefiled again.


Well this should be fun. Any thoughts?