I'm just loving this Beth Moore Bible study on the book of James! Oh how I wish I could bring all of my friends & family to Bible study.....or better yet, just sit & talk as a group or even one on one with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or glass of iced tea. I take the time to share what I am learning with you, because I want God to work in your life and help you to fall in love with Him. The following are 9 questions to give you introspection into your life. Perhaps you could write them on a separate sheet of paper to see your answers.
1. What is the biggest battle you have going on inside of you?
2. How long has it been going on?
3.The whole idea of battle implies that several different sides of the situation (for example, options, feelings or conflicts) are clamoring against one another inside of you. If you are the uneasy home to an internal wrestling match right now, try to describe the sides at war.
4. We each have internal, unspoken conflicts with any number of people, but most of us have a few people in our life with whom we actually engage in external conflict or quarreling. Who are those people for you?
5. Now, switch tracks with me for a moment. What is something you've wanted for a long while that you do not have?
6. Do you know someone who has this thing, situation, or relationship that you've longed for? If so, who? Keep in mind that naming the person doesn't automatically mean you envy them. What we're establishing right now is whether or not your deep longing is a sustainable reality on this Earth. That said, who possesses what you really long for?
7. Have you consistently and earnestly asked God for this thing, situation or relationship? If so, name a couple of reasons why you think you haven't received it.
8. Can you identify any link between the person or people with whom you are most prone to quarrel and something you want but do not have? If so, what?
9. Has anything good or beneficial come to you or to others as a result of your lack (whatever you wrote in question #5)? If so, list every bit of fruit you can identify or even remotely discern.
These questions were actually derived from God's Word!
James 4:1-3 New KJV "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet[a] you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Now, reading James 4:1-3 in the Message "1-2Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
2-3You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
Before this Bible study on the book of James (as taught by Beth Moore), I had read those verses and never felt they applied to me, because I had no desire to "kill" anyone or risk "violence" to get my hands on something I did not have. However, not having something that I want, does put me in a discontent place and cause me to perhaps feel bitter at times or resentful. Just plain old unhappy with myself. I realized after answering these questions that I have not been consistently giving this to the Lord and asking for His help. I also realized that because of my situation, I have a lot of fruit and the gain of God's fruit was much more profitable than the thing/situation that I desire in question #5. Perhaps now with this insight, I am ready to pursue on the path God has for me, rather than fight it on my own.
Dear Lord.....as always, You are wonderful! Today I lift up my dear friends that desire to get to the heart of their issues they deal with. Many of us are in personal battles practically our entire life. Lord, we give this to You, on a day after day basis. Give us wisdom and the desire to obey You and trust You wholeheartedly that we will focus on bearing fruit for You rather than wasting our time with consuming thoughts of what we do not have. We have been given much and have all that we need. May we be doers of the Word and not hearers only! Thank you Lord for what You are going to do in my life and the lives of my precious friends & family that I lift up to You! AMEN
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Willing to Yield?
When we think of yielding, we usually think of those traffic signs that are upside down triangles, where we are supposed to stop if necessary to allow another driver at their approach to proceed. We definitely want to obey this traffic rule, to avoid an accident. However, in our Christian life, do we remember to yield as well?
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Wisdom is from above, as God freely gives it to us. James began his letter in 1:5 simply stating "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
As a follower of Christ, I want wisdom! I don't want to do dumb things that will cause me stress & frustration. So, I will ask God to bless me with His wisdom, to know what to do in all situations---even during those times when I need a quick response and I don't have time to pray. James tells us that God's wisdom is pure, peaceable and gentle. Pure = free from contamination. Peaceable = to avoid strife, not argumentative. Gentile =kind, mild, not severe or rough. When I think about those words, I know that I definitely want lots of God's wisdom! We hear enough negative language in our day to day adventures, that this kind of wisdom is refreshing. Then, we come to the "willing to yield" portion. I pondered a number of minutes on the times during the day when we have opportunities to be "willing to yield". Of course, there is the obvious, as mentioned at the beginning, when I referred to driving, but there are times of opening a door for someone and letting them enter first, or even the kindness of letting someone with less items go ahead of you in a checkout line. What about in conversations; are we willing to yield and let someone else have their turn to talk? In an argument, are we willing to listen to the other person and how they feel?
The greatest example of yielding was portrayed by Jesus. Matthew 27:50 "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit." Jesus knew that His purpose was fulfilled as He was willingly surrendering His life for the sake of you and me. Thank you precious Lord, for yielding for me!
But wait! There's still more to this verse. God's wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Mercy = compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power. Think on that for a moment. God's wisdom is full of mercy. It is compassionate. This isn't just a compassion shown toward those we love. Nope. That is way too easy. Anyone can do that. We, who call ourselves Christians or believers are different. God's wisdom is without partiality, which means that we are not to favor one over another or show a preference or liking. We are to love & show mercy to the unlovable. We are to show mercy to the ones that are in need, and we are to do it without expecting anything in return. We are not to do this for approval of others or a pat on the back or our own praise. We do this in the name of Jesus, who demonstrated mercy to us. Let us not be hypocrites that say we love God, but we fail to love our neighbor. True wisdom is shown just in our daily living. God will bring into our paths and lay on our hearts the dear people that we can pour mercy & love upon. If God blesses you financially, then help those in need. Perhaps you can do this anonymously. It doesn't matter who gets the credit---God blessed you with the resources, didn't he? If money is tight, then simply bring value to people with words. Find worth in people and bring them dignity. Verbally tell someone something that will encourage them, or even take some time to write a note. You may be thinking, that you can't do this.....especially if you are doing it for a stranger or an enemy. That's the great thing about God.....He can do it through you! Our enemies are people too that deal with hurts, pain, & stress. In our flesh, we may not want to give them the time of day. Pray and let God use you to reach out, trusting that God will heal the many issues they have and eventually heal the heart of that person!
"Lord, You are so amazing and Your love is endless! Thank you for showering me with love and wisdom and all good gifts that You want to abundantly bless us with. I pray for my friends & family that we are all growing closer to You and walking in obedience every day with hearts being changed and conformed to be Christlike. I pray for the enemies of each of my friends & family members, that You are also working in their hearts. With God ALL things are possible! With all the evil going on in this world, we must remember that You are in control and will make all things new and good. We trust You alone and praise You for all that You have done, are still working on, and will be doing in the days we have yet to see! AMEN!"
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Wisdom is from above, as God freely gives it to us. James began his letter in 1:5 simply stating "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
As a follower of Christ, I want wisdom! I don't want to do dumb things that will cause me stress & frustration. So, I will ask God to bless me with His wisdom, to know what to do in all situations---even during those times when I need a quick response and I don't have time to pray. James tells us that God's wisdom is pure, peaceable and gentle. Pure = free from contamination. Peaceable = to avoid strife, not argumentative. Gentile =kind, mild, not severe or rough. When I think about those words, I know that I definitely want lots of God's wisdom! We hear enough negative language in our day to day adventures, that this kind of wisdom is refreshing. Then, we come to the "willing to yield" portion. I pondered a number of minutes on the times during the day when we have opportunities to be "willing to yield". Of course, there is the obvious, as mentioned at the beginning, when I referred to driving, but there are times of opening a door for someone and letting them enter first, or even the kindness of letting someone with less items go ahead of you in a checkout line. What about in conversations; are we willing to yield and let someone else have their turn to talk? In an argument, are we willing to listen to the other person and how they feel?
The greatest example of yielding was portrayed by Jesus. Matthew 27:50 "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit." Jesus knew that His purpose was fulfilled as He was willingly surrendering His life for the sake of you and me. Thank you precious Lord, for yielding for me!
But wait! There's still more to this verse. God's wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Mercy = compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power. Think on that for a moment. God's wisdom is full of mercy. It is compassionate. This isn't just a compassion shown toward those we love. Nope. That is way too easy. Anyone can do that. We, who call ourselves Christians or believers are different. God's wisdom is without partiality, which means that we are not to favor one over another or show a preference or liking. We are to love & show mercy to the unlovable. We are to show mercy to the ones that are in need, and we are to do it without expecting anything in return. We are not to do this for approval of others or a pat on the back or our own praise. We do this in the name of Jesus, who demonstrated mercy to us. Let us not be hypocrites that say we love God, but we fail to love our neighbor. True wisdom is shown just in our daily living. God will bring into our paths and lay on our hearts the dear people that we can pour mercy & love upon. If God blesses you financially, then help those in need. Perhaps you can do this anonymously. It doesn't matter who gets the credit---God blessed you with the resources, didn't he? If money is tight, then simply bring value to people with words. Find worth in people and bring them dignity. Verbally tell someone something that will encourage them, or even take some time to write a note. You may be thinking, that you can't do this.....especially if you are doing it for a stranger or an enemy. That's the great thing about God.....He can do it through you! Our enemies are people too that deal with hurts, pain, & stress. In our flesh, we may not want to give them the time of day. Pray and let God use you to reach out, trusting that God will heal the many issues they have and eventually heal the heart of that person!
"Lord, You are so amazing and Your love is endless! Thank you for showering me with love and wisdom and all good gifts that You want to abundantly bless us with. I pray for my friends & family that we are all growing closer to You and walking in obedience every day with hearts being changed and conformed to be Christlike. I pray for the enemies of each of my friends & family members, that You are also working in their hearts. With God ALL things are possible! With all the evil going on in this world, we must remember that You are in control and will make all things new and good. We trust You alone and praise You for all that You have done, are still working on, and will be doing in the days we have yet to see! AMEN!"
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