James 1:19-27

James is such a convicting Book of the Bible don't you think?  Right from the starting gate the words of perseverance smack us in the face.  Not only are we instructed to persevere through all the trials of life we are told to consider it pure joy while do it!  I have learned to come to terms with this and to actually step out in faith and practice these commands; and God knows he has given plenty of opportunity to practice.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (James 1"19-20)

When I read the test for today I really had to smile, because just a few short weeks ago the Pastor at the church I have been attending in Wisconsin preached on these lines.  I listened, took notes, even discussed the topic over dinner with a couple of my new friends.  And wouldn't you know it, I got a chance to practice what I learned that very next day.  I was grinning inside as I knew God put me in that church, that evening to hear that message so I would know what to do - or not to do - as the case may be.

A situation had been brewing that was going to call for me to be still, only listening.  I was going to be called upon to pray and not act, love and not become angry.  God was preparing me, my heart, to act in the manner He wanted me to.  Have you ever felt manipulated by God?  Isn't is amazing to realize that we have a God who would go to these extremes to help us behave in a way that would do Him proud and save us a lot of grief?  Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

Read the James 1:19-27 text here.

Acts 6:7-12, 7:54-60

Do you have conflict in your life?  Does it seem like you move from one sticky situation to another with hardly a breath in between?  There are seasons in our life when it seems like chaos rules and Satan is having his way. Truth be told, often we have brought the difficulties on ourselves. More often than not the situation I find myself enmeshed in, would not have happened were I able to keep my mouth shut...in other words listened. "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19)

Today we are reading some of the story of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.  In deciding what message lie within these verses I came to Acts 6:12, "So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law."  The Jews would not listen, "they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. (Acts 6:12)


How often do our actions resemble this type of behavior?  When I don't get my own way do I grumble to others and stir up a commotion, or do I listen and really hear what is being said.  Stephen's message was a powerful message hundreds of years ago and it still is today.

Read Acts 6:7-12, 7:54-60 here.

Here I Am Lord- 1 Samuel 3:1-10

This week the Holy Spirit has taken us on a journey. We learned that we all have a story to tell of how we have been transformed by the Holy Spirit. We were encouraged by how the Holy Spirit will remind us how the story ends, so we don't lose hope along the journey.

We were reminded about how we each have different gifts from the Spirit. We are to use those gifts to honor God even when we don’t win the praise of the world, because the world is watching. Finally we saw how staying in contact with the Spirit, either through the word or prayer keeps our focus and perspective on God.

Today our passage shows a young Samuel receiving a word from God. The Holy Spirit is speaking and Samuel, eager to serve his master, runs to Eli’s room. After many confusing encounters Eli realizes the Lord is speaking to Samuel. Samuel returns to bed and when the Spirit calls to him once more he is ready and says, “I'm listening, what do You want me to do?”

Have you been listening to the Spirit this week? Are you ready to be put to work?

Read today's passage at Biblegateway 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Dream A Little Dream Matthew 1:18-2:12

As I read over today’s scripture passage, I am taken back in time. I can remember reading this story in Sunday School when I was a child, and then as a youth director. I have also read it to my own son, trying and explain to him the wonderful sacrifice Jesus made by coming to us as a baby.

As I read it again, something remarkably new came to me. There are two separate times in this passage where God came to someone, in a desperate situation, through a dream. Each time the recipient of the nocturnal news was in need of God and He came to them while they were at rest, giving clarity and direction.

Joseph was told to take Mary as his wife. God confirmed that the child she was carrying was from the Holy Spirit. The wise men were warned to go home another way, their suspicions of King Harod were also confirmed through a dream.

God comes to us when we need Him most. If you find yourself in a season of life where you need His direction, perhaps all you need is to be still and allow God to speak to you. He may come to you in a dream, or while you read his word, the point is He will show up. He will not leave you without being equipped to deal with life’s surprises.

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway Matthew 1:18-2:12

Worship With Thanks - Psalm 95

Psalm 95 calls us to praise God: “Come, let us sing…shout…come before Him with thanksgiving.” (v 1-2) The reason to praise Him is, “the Lord is the great God.” (v 3)

We're to praise God with thanksgiving regardless of our circumstances. Praise usually comes easy. However, when you've suddenly lost a job, a spouse becomes ill, or someone you love dies it’s hard to sing let alone shout out loud. It can be a struggle to feel God's presence.

The Psalmist reminds me when I am in the valleys or the mountain peaks of life, God is with me. He created me. He has me in His hands. When I rely on my faith and just start praising Him when I don’t feel like it, I feel Him empower me, lift me up to keep going.

Psalm 95 also calls us to worship: “let us bow down…let us kneel before the Lord." The reason to worship is, “He is our maker…He is our God…we are His people…[we are] under His care.”

My worship isn’t confined to Sunday worship time and holy holiday celebrations. As I read and study His Word and pray, God usually tells me something I need to hear. I find myself, alone, praising and thanking Him, worshipping Him for who He is to me and to the world.

God turned away from an entire generation of His people because of their hearts. Listen for His voice through Scripture, prayer, services, and during quiet moments. Your praise and worship with thanksgiving will come from hearing what He whispers in your heart.

Read today's text on Biblegateway.

Are You Listening? -- John 16:5-16

Have you ever had a newscaster start to tell a story of interest, then stop, and not continue the story until after many commercial breaks? They can't tell the story now, but they have gotten your attention and curiosity. You have to wait. If you have experienced this small frustration, imagine the frustration the disciples might have felt at verse 12 where Jesus says: "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear."

Jesus had the disciples' attention. I'm sure they must have been filled with anticipation. What more was Jesus going to tell them? Their curiosity was provoked. It seems Jesus did this as He wanted them to wait eagerly, ready to listen intently when the Holy Spirit came.

Time for listening is difficult amidst the demands and noisiness of daily life. I have found in my faith life that finding time for listening is essential. The Spirit of God will come alongside me and guide me through life. If I'm not listening I will miss what is good for me to hear.

Prayer: Lord God, I'm listening. I want to take time to hear You. Help me quiet my heart, sit back, close my mouth and open my ears so I might hear what you want me to know.

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Read today's text on Biblegateway, John 16:5-16