Tag Archive for: James

Keep in touch

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God, I hear Your still small voice calling out, “Where are you? Where have you been? Don’t you realize you need me?” Oh, I need You, yes I need You—every hour I need You!

Liberty holding baby Elijah's hand

Liberty holding baby Elijah’s hand

Of course, I know I need God, but I don’t always act like I know I need God. It’s sometimes easier to go about my merry way and ignore the fact that I’m really not in charge. In fact, life doesn’t usually go as well when I operate as though I’m the one in control.

“Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It is not a luxury or an option; it is a necessity. Therefore, do not feel guilty about taking time to be with me,” Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

You, too, have decisions/choices to make. Big ones and little ones. But before any decisions should be made, I must spend time with God, in His presence, in His word. When I take the time to do this, I find guidance and blessed peace. Peace that this world can never offer me. Do you find this to be true?

• Do you find it difficult to set aside time to meditate in God’s presence?

• What truths did you encounter when you spent time with God and in His Word?

“Come near to God and he will come near to you…”—James 4:7-8.

Joy in stress?

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Good Grade on Test

How you ever considered that trials and temptations can be a way of making us mature? Or molding us to be complete and lacking nothing?

That’s what the writer of James is telling us in the first chapter of his book. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ says to “consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides” (The Message). When’s the last time you jumped up and down with excitement in the middle of a trial? My normal response would be to recoil and think, Why me?

But that’s not the way we are reminded to act or react. I don’t believe we necessarily have to be excited about the trial itself, but encouraged that as a believer, I can rejoice in the fact that God is on my side. He has me covered; therefore I need not doubt or be afraid.

Maybe, just maybe, this testing of your faith you’re going through is meant to be shared with others. You probably aren’t feeling excited about an uncertain health issue, losing your job due to downsizing, or parenting a troubled teen. Still … there are lessons to be learned. And glory to be given. More than likely, there are individuals in your circle of influence who could benefit from hearing about what you are going through right now. As you and I handle a tough time, with the grace of God and His wisdom, others can be comforted.

Dear God, I admit I’m not overjoyed about this time of my life. In fact, I feel depressed and sometimes alone. Yet, in my heart, I know that You have my best interests in mind. I can go to You anytime day or night with my burdens. Thank you for loving me when I’m least unlovable. Amen.

Is there a message others need to hear about how you (with God) overcame a certain obstacle? Something that seems too big and wide to get through? Will you speak or pen those pearls of wisdom so another can benefit?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”—James 1:2–4.

 

Do you hear the whistle blowing?

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Heuston Station- Dublin (office.microsoft.com image)

Heuston Station- Dublin (office.microsoft.com image)

Sometimes it feels as though the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. I must not give up in the middle of a trial. It’s tough to stay faithful under pressure. I need to see this through to the end relying on God every step of the way. By keeping on keeping on & praying, I allow God to continue the maturing process in me.

Though the path may look dark, I know God oversees. He will rescue me in his perfect timing. In the meantime, I need to walk in the Light & remain faithful in my talk, my walk, and my life.

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature & complete, not lacking anything” — James 1:4.

*  Are you going through a rough patch right now?
*  Is it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel?
*  Can you ask God to give you the strength to endure these unsettling times?

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Draw near to God

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“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

What a great promise — that when I draw near to God, he will automatically in turn embrace me with his everlasting love. The responsibility is mine to freely give myself to him. No one forces me to get close to God or learn more about his character in the Bible and through godly teachers. But I know for a fact that relief and comfort reside    when I do act on what I know to be true, honest, just, pure and lovely! “The moments I truly live are the moments when I act with my entire will” – Oswald Chambers.  

The opposite is true when I chose to go my own way and do my own selfish thing … turmoil, chaos, fear, doubt permeate my being and cause all manner of physical and mental distress. This place is not a pretty place to linger. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” — James 3:7

I have options … choosing to follow the devil = pleasure for a short time, followed by unrest and death; or chose to follow and cling to God = liberation, freedom and life eternal.

Why not be dominated by God and allow the supernatural power of the life of God invade you?

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Father of Lights

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           Why is it when I’m down for whatever reason (sickness or injury) that this is the time I tend to look upward? Some occasions, I even dare ask, Why me, God…and why now?  After all I’ve done for so and so, and this is the treatment I receive. It just doesn’t seem fair. In truth, a better question might be to ask, Why not me?

             Maybe it’s because it’s the direction my face and mind happens to be focused at the time. I shouldn’t wait until those unique times.  My goal should be to please God all the days of my life. Instead, I spend my hours trying to think of ways to please people and end up sad, dry and disappointed in that fruitless quest. 

            I realize there are few rewards at the end of a rainbow when I aim to please people. People are fickle. Their emotions come and go. All of God’s ways are perfect and just. With him there is no variableness. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I won’t find a guarantee like that from any human being. So why is it that some days my goal is to seek approval from family members, friends, and even strangers?

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17/KJV).

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Eat to live, or live to eat?

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Do you eat to live, or live to eat? That is the question. Some Facebook friends say they eat to live; others say they eat to live, and at other times, they live to eat. Several live to eat chocolate (I vote for that!). A fellow Goldwing rider declares he eats so he can ride his motorcycle. We occasionally ride with a few local Goldwing chapters and use riding our bikes as an excuse to ride and visit. Meeting at a central location, we then ride to a dinner location, and after dinner, sometimes ride again to an ice cream hot spot.

Eating is so much a part of our social experience. How often do you hear, “Let’s do lunch, or dinner, or breakfast.” Breakfast, if you’re an early morning riser. It’s hard not to imagine a meeting (business/church/social) without coffee and doughnuts, cake, or appetizers. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy food—sometimes too much.

You might recall this past summer I battled with severe intestinal issues which turned out to be an inflamed intestine, colitis. I experienced dehydration, hospitalization, an ambulance ride to the hospital emergency room, then ICU confinement. Not fun! Gatorade® with electrolytes proved my best friend. Eventually, I graduated to eating rice, bananas, Jell-O®, and popsicles. Very soon, I became weary of that boring diet and craved anything except those prescribed items. Once my stomach could digest bland items (and keep them down), I was re-introduced to real food. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.

Eating is good. Eating is necessary for sustaining life. In Julia Child’s book My Life in France, Julia enrolls in a 12-month cooking school at the famous Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She learns to selectively purchase the correct ingredients and cooking utensils to prepare mouth-watering dishes. Julia shares these creations with her supportive husband, family members and friends.

Bottom line: all I do should be done in moderation. Balance is the key in eating, drinking, exercise, education, career, and so forth. Too much of any one thing (even if it’s a good thing) can tip the scales and throw mind, body, and soul off balance.

So, do you think just one piece of chocolate (dark, of course) per day is acceptable?

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17-NIV).

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