James 1:21

Scripture: James 1:21
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
 
Observations:
Evil is so prevalent! We'd like to think that we are getting worse and worse as the generations go by, but evil has always been SO prevalent. We are called as Christians to recognize moral filth and have nothing to do with it. I wish we could literally put our moral filth in a box and throw it away. I wish it was that simple. It's a continuous process for me to go through and pray about various aspects of my life, and ask God what He needs me to get rid of.  It does take humility and our submission of our lives to God to accept the word. It's so easy to let our pride say "well that's not really any harm! it's just a little bit, and I can manage it" and ignore God's calling to get rid of it.
 
Application:
Looking into my heart and into my daily habits, searching for what it is that God is calling me to get rid of. Are my eyes open to the evil around me and actively rejecting it, or am I accepting of it? Is evil normal to me? Am I humbly accepting the word, or am I dragging my feet and dreading the word?
 
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for planting the word in us and giving us salvation. Speak to us and let us know how to better rid ourselves of moral filth and be protected from evil. Help us to recognize those areas so we can better serve you. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

James 1:9-11

Scripture: James 1:9-11
9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
 
Observations:
Completely against what the world says! Ranking is usually based on money and power, yet the Lord redefines what it is to have a high position. You can't really buy humility. You can't really learn it unless you go through it. On the flipside, getting caught up with money... we think we are invincible. This root of evil gets down deep and we forget how in need we are. We "go about our business" and busy ourselves with worldly riches.
 
Application:
Right now I'm that rich person, being awakened to how selfish I'd been. I spent my money the way I wanted to. I look back and regret how much I splurged on unnecessary stuff. Now with all my preparations for the mission trip, I find myself selling everything and it's so weird. IT IS SO WEIRD to be in a room full of stuff that won't be mine anymore after a week. It's also a great blessing to know the Lord is gonna take care of me like He has been this whole time. My application to these verses is to be humble no matter what, and try to go about God's business.  
 
Prayer:
Father I come to You tonight asking for humble hearts for me and my sisters in Christ. Make us fully focused so we can pursue Your plans. Don't let us get busy with anything else, especially money! Don't let our beauty be destroyed or fade away because of money. Convict us of these things, and anything else that gets in the way of us desperately seeking You. We love you more than anything. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

Ephesians 3:7-9

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-9
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Observations
I really like how Paul humbles himself. Here's this powerful preacher, hand-picked by God, still reaching so many people (even me!) and yet he considers himself "less than the least of all God's people" and even calling himself the worst of sinners (1 Tim 1:15-16).

Application
I can take a humility lesson here, for sure. It also makes me think of how I'm serving and how I can better serve to spread the gospel. I often don't feel qualified, but Paul shows his calling is by grace, through God's power. This is available to all of us, so we have no excuse :) granted we're not all called to be preachers, but as a body we are called to further God's kingdom and to live as witnesses of Christ's love.

Prayer
Father, thank You for grace and the power You give us. I praise You for the unsearchable riches of Christ. Help us to be humble, loving, and bold servants for Your Kingdom today.  In Jesus's name I pray, amen!