James 1:19-20

Scripture: James 1:19-20

19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

  

Observations:

This passage makes me think of how talkative I am.  I don't always feel like a good listener (I've been told I am but sometimes I dont see it from here). I need to make sure I'm slower to speak (without stifling my personality! The Lord loves my personality, He crafted it) but rather more CAREFUL with what I say. Also working on being a better listener and not letting distractions get in the way of my paying attention, or my own responsive thoughts stop me from listening. With anger it's funny how sometimes I'm so slow to be angry, yet there are some tiny things that get me fired up. Prime example is my phone when it goes crazy. It's gonna be great for me to be away from a cell phone for 11 months haha!

 

Application:

Just looking into our own lives and seeing those 3 areas... what comes out of our mouths, how good we are at listening, and how quickly and what causes us to be angry. We need to not just "acknowledge" those issues, but also make intentional moves to correct them. If we need to make amends to somebody we've hurt because of those 3 things, that may be another good way to apply this verse.

 

Prayer:

Father, we are so thankful that You are slow to anger with us! We sometimes are the very opposite of verse 19. I praise You for bearing with the works-in-progress that we are, and allowing trials to reveal those areas and refine us. Help us to take the extra moment to think before we speak or become angry, and to be careful listeners. We love You and we want to live the righteous lives You desire. In Christ's name I pray, amen!

Ephesians 6:1-4

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise--
3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Observations:
It's funny because when I read this (since I don't have kids) I put myself in the children category and think of how I can honor my parents. I'd like to think I've been a good daughter, but I've said some terrible things to my mom before. And with my dad, I've struggled with unforgiveness. I thank God that He makes me new, and gives me hope that even when I feel like I've botched relationships, He reassures me that I can mend them. My mom and I are really close now. I have gotten to the point where I really truly enjoy her and my stepdad's company. She has a talent of saying things that rub me the wrong way,  but I eventually realized everybody's mom does that haha! It's my choice to receive her words knowing she means well and loves me. It's my choice to not be defensive or lash out. I get to practice the fruit of gentleness. With my dad it's another story. He wasn't around to raise me, and it took him a really long time to apologize. It took me even longer to forgive. And when I did forgive, I forgave with conditions of him. "I'll forgive, but now you have to follow through! You have to pursue me! You have to stay in touch!" and that backfired to hurt me more, because he didn't. He's come to visit this year and I struggled with all those mixed emotions. I wrote about it back then here if you want to see what was going through my mind. We email somewhat regularly. I get to see him again next month. It's a work in progress :) Good thing God is in charge, otherwise it'd never get done.

Application:
We are called to honor imperfect people whom we know well. We know their flaws, and they raised us, so they really know our flaws. God's design for family is beautiful! He carefully places us in families to shape us into who we are. We care for each other and struggle together. It's impossible to be part of a family without learning what it feels like to be wrong and be wronged. Whether we're the parents or the children, the closeness of a family puts a magnifying glass on the ways we fall short. It highlights how much we need Christ in order to be a good parent and child.

Prayer:
Father, You knew exactly what You were doing when You placed me in my family. I'm so thankful that they brought me up knowing You exist. I praise You for each woman in this group, and how You've purposefully placed them in the families they're in. Give them the strength and the wisdom to bring up their children as loving disciples of Christ. Bless their children with every good thing. Help us also to be gentle and graceful daughters, with loving hearts. God we need You to step in and give us patience, courage, and encouragement.  All these things I ask in Christ's name, amen.