James 2:5-7

Scripture: James 2:5-7
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

Observations:
Good point!!! Why are we so against the poor when the rich are the ones who are truly exploiting? I love the phrase “those who are poor in the eyes of the world” because I can only imagine how God sees them. I can only imagine how He envisions them with their reward in mind and the glory to come.

Application:
Why is it so easy to target the poor and lose compassion? I think the media focuses in on the crimes of the poor, the violence and the addictions and the people going to jail. We begin to feel unsafe when people are poor because we assume they will display criminal behavior.  The media turns our eyes away from the evils of the rich, but let’s not forget the way God views the situation.

Prayer:
Father open our eyes. Give us a glimpse of how You see the world. Help us to be humble and rich in faith. Break hearts to share and give. Let it be on earth as it is in heaven. We love You not just in words, but in action. In Christ’s name, amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Observations
Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.... wow. This always brings me back to healing. I have a very dear friend who is sick. I pray and pray for healing, and I have to have the strength and faith to believe God will heal. It's hard because as Christians we say "if it is Your will, God" and that's very true... but do we doubt that He would heal? He surely surely has the power to do so. I can't question that.

Application
Again, pushing my faith to beyond "reasonable"... I can't limit God. He can do IMMEASURABLY more than I can even imagine.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me despite my limited mind. Help me to have more faith, to push aside my "human understanding" and ask boldly and without wavering. Give the women of this group the encouragement they need to seek You fervently. To You, God, be all the glory, forever and ever. In Christ's name I pray, amen.