The Wisdom of James
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:12 – 4:12
What a very sad and disgraceful day in America, January 06,2021. Let us pray for restoration and healing throughout our land and end the bitter jealousy, lies, and selfish ambition so that we as a nation can draw our focus on what is good, and pure.
Gifts Unopened
Planning
It’s Christmas time. Albeit Christmas in a pandemic which means a season with new set of planning and execution challenges. Therefore, as a result of the pandemic, I met the challenge via online shopping and reimagining gifts. Little did I know that online shopping translates to hours of research and planning. No more impluse buys after walking past department store displays. This year more than ever I want the gifts I give to bring a smile, joy, and be used.
God’s Gift
Christmas is the time of year that reminds us that God has given us a gift; his Son, Jesus our Emmanuel. God had planned for a very long time to give us perfect gift and wants us to take; to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Yet how many will not accept this gift? If we do acknowledge the gift is it for a brief time? Too often we bring out God’s gift like a seasonal decoration and return to storage until next year. God gave us a second gift too, it is the Holy Spirit. God gave us these gifts so that we will take and use the gifts daily, depend and rely on these gifts, and be filled.
After the Wrapping
After Christmas morning when the gifts are unwrapped, I admit that too often I use a gift briefly, then forgotten, or I become busy and another project occupies my time. This Christmas, I pray that I truly use God’s gifts. Let me share His love, sing joyfully, pray without ceasing, and I will fill my heart first with the Holy Spirit. Afterall, what good is a gift if it is unused?
God Does Not Tire
Tired and Weary
No doubt about it, this was a tense and anxious week; election, coronavirus spiking across the world and in our towns, hospitals nearing capacity, family who are sick (though not with Covid), and the constant struggle of life balance. I, like the rest of our nation, am weary, tired, and in need rest.
Relief
And so it came as a welcomed relief to experience our first significant rainfall (for our area) in seven months! It is after the rain and in the quiet of the morn, I feel peacefulness all around. The songbirds are singing while fluttering about and playing in the remnants of a puddle. The air is crisp, my breath visable as I stood in the midst of my garden, I sense God’s restorative hand at work. The feeling of tranquility makes me linger.
God Never Tires
I recall Isaiah 41:28 “God never grows weary or tired”. I smile and realized that when I change my perspective and focus my thoughts towards the Lord, not only can I witness the beauty of His creation but my weariness has lifted. Isaiah 41: 31, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount with wings like eagles; they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. ”