James 1:26-27

Scripture: James 1:26-27 

26 If anyone considers himself religious yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

 

Observations: 

Our actions and words can really ruin others' perception of our beliefs. We talked about what it's like at restaurants on Sunday mornings, and how it seems that a lot of Christians are horribly rude, impatient, and bad tippers. It's a noticeable difference from the other shifts. Sunday morning... you just don't make the same tips. What's the point of dressing up and going to church if people just turn around and act that way right afterwards? That's worthless religion to me.

 

Application: 

Verse 27 is our application! Look after orphans and widows, and keep from being polluted! Are we doing that? Are we going out of our way to serve others that are in distress, and also going out of our way to keep from getting polluted? It looks different for different people. We all have different gifts, which we are called to use in ministry. We all have our own "butter heads" that we need to keep away from the fire ;)

 

Prayer: 

Lord, help us to not have a worthless religion. Help us to show through our relationship with You, and that our outward acts are in accordance with our beliefs. God I pray we are good witnesses with our actions. We love You so much and do not want to be bad representations of life with You. Help us to plug into good ministries that use our own particular gifts, and also have the humility and strength to stay away from or fight our specific battles against sin. In Jesus' name I ask, amen!

James 1:5-6

Scripture: James 1:5-6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Observations:
I love these verses! I lack wisdom all the time!! It's funny that the older I get, the more I realize how much I DON'T know! Either that or I'm forgetting all I knew back when I was a teenager, because I'm pretty sure I knew everything back then ;) But God is so faithful to lead me and give wisdom! Even during the times when I didn't really know what He wanted me to do, I was assured that He was in control and would tell me what to do at the right time. This makes me think of proverbs, and how important and pleasing to God it is when we desire and seek HIS wisdom.

Application:
I've been praying a lot of "really out there" kinds of prayers, especially for the mission trip. And these I have to pray with conviction and faith that God will answer, however "unlikely" they may seem. God loves to make me eat my words haha as soon as I say "no way, not me" He says "my way, yes you!" so I'm learning to be careful of what I pray for and what I say the Lord won't do. He's sovereign, no doubt about it! What kinds of things do you ask the Lord, but doubt He will answer?

Prayer:
Lord, I ask that You give me and these ladies the wisdom we need today for whatever trials and choices we are facing. Thank You for being such a faithful and generous Father to us. Thank You for leading us. I pray You make us into patient, wise, strong, bold, confident, courageous women. Let our perseverance be a testimony to others, to lead them to You. In Jesus' name I ask, Amen!

Ephesians 5:15-20

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20
15 Be very careful, then, how you live-- not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observations:

This is a great warning for me, followed by great encouragement. To be very careful how I represent Christ to others, and not to waste my time here acting a fool. I've been plenty foolish before, and to my shame. But He calls me to let God fill into every single aspect of my life and to seek out His will. My speech, what I sing, my everyday moments should all be dedicated to the Lord.

Application:
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. It's so amazing how worshiping God can drastically affect our outlook. It takes our eyes away from our problems and focuses them on Christ.  Whether it's a mountain or a molehill, when we choose to sing through it, God gets the glory. He's listening riiiight now! What song is your heart singing to Him? :) mine is "Beautiful Things" by Gungor. My prayer is the link to this song.
 

Prayer: