Listen to Their Complaints

Listen to Their Complaints

James 5: And now, you rich people, listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! ² Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes have been eaten by moths. ³ Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. You have piled up riches in these last days. ⁴ You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty. ⁵ Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered innocent people, and they do not resist you.

 

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Something wasn’t right with the advice from one of the leaders. “Maybe we can get some free labor” was the statement that was given to me as if to say, keep going with the terrible negotiation.

 

• I was put in a bad spot of having to negotiate something that was not fair.
• I was working with a group who did not mind using people unfairly.
• I was part of problem, because that was my job.

 

James gives a stern warning to the rich. He is really descriptive of the rich and paints a picture of them in a not so good way. He says misery is coming to the rich, but then he provides a solution. “Listen.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to listen to those who work for me and to pay them their wages.
• GOS does not like when people are being taken advantage of, so HE will repay.
• GOD hears the cry of those who are being used and abused and is storing up HIS anger against anyone who caused their anguish.

 

Yes GOD is forgiving, but HE seems to have a soft spot for those who are in need. Unfortunately, there have been those who have misused other humans for their own personal gain. HE hears the cries of those who are used and abused and withholds HIS anger. This is a very scary thing.

 

I mean, instead of squashing the abusers like a bug, GOD allows the misuse to occur. HE did the same for JESUS. The church people abused and murdered HIM. GOD allowed this and JESUS was raised from the dead. One day HE will return and all will have to give an account for how we treated people. I am glad GOD forgives and gives me a way back to HIM, namely, listen.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning from the writer?
• Have you ever wanted to be rich so badly that you would consider harming someone, even in the smallest way?
• Will you listen to the complaints of those who are being abused and turn to GOD for HIS answer today?

Idle, Timid and Weak

Idle, Timid and Weak

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹⁴ We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.

 

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Sitting in the corner, alone, a teacher noticed me, took my hand and brought me over to other people. I wanted to interact, but did not know how. I was shy, frail and did not know what to say. “you want to play?” were the words of others.

 

• That was an enjoyable day.
• I did not know how to get myself into the crowd.
• I felt that I would not be accepted.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy give another stern warning, but on a much lighter note. They urged everyone to “warn the idle, encourage the timid and help the weak.” Instead of seeking the rich and powerful, they urged everyone to seek those who are in need.

 

My Observations

• My patience is required when seeking those who are idle about speaking about the LORD.
• I must overlook wrong and do what is right according to the LORD.
• Doing good is the aim for me and GOD provides those HE wants to draw to HIMSELF.

 

Idle, timid and weak people seem like a strange audience to seek. I mean, to get ahead, don’t you have to be connected to the powerful and noisy? No. GOD has a vast harvest, but the laborers are few. HE know there are plenty of people who sit idle, waiting on HIM.

 

HE wants those in wait to get up and use their gifts and talents for HIM. HE also wants those who have been discouraged to be encouraged that HE is with you. Lastly, HE desires those who have tried and tired and failed, to be strengthened to get up and try again, knowing it’s not your power, but HIS love that will overcome all. I am glad GOD cares more than I ever could.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers are so urgent?
• Have you ever been overlooked, misunderstood or shy?
• Will you seek those who need to speak about GOD, but they are idle and those who are discouraged and need encouragement and those who are weak and strengthen him or her with GOD’s unchanging love today?

Getting Revenge

Psalm 35: ²² Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
    Do not be far from me, Lord.
²³ Awake, and rise to my defense!
    Contend for me, my God and Lord.
²⁴ Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;
    do not let them gloat over me.
²⁵ Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
    or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

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“That felt good” was the thought that flashed in my mind as I was able to block a person from interviewing at the company I worked at. She was a thorn in my side at my last job and I was shocked to hear my boss ask me “Should I interview her?”

Years later I went to look for a job at a place where I was a perfect fit. I looked through the list of employees and did not see her name, but I did see a person who was fired from the company I was trying to leave. I tried to reach out to him and he would have nothing to do with me. “So this is how she felt” crossed my mind.

• Sometimes revenge feels great to me.
• Sometimes revenge feels wonderful.
• Sometimes revenge fuels my determination.

Obtaining a goal based on revenge is very problematic. I mean if someone says something about me or does something to me, a dangerous fire can be lit that makes me determined to get that person back. This is a mild form of hatred that carries a dangerous seed. BUT GOD says think differently.

• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE, I will repay.”
• GOD says to me “Pray for your enemies that they may prosper.”
• GOD says to me “Forgive others as I have forgiven you.”

Spitting out my poison rather than using it as a dart is what GOD wants me to do. HE wants me to seek HIS kingdom first rather than seeking revenge first. By seeking HIS kingdom, I will find peace instead of pain, grace instead of groaning, and love instead of let downs. It is hard to “let it go” sometimes, BUT GOD can help me move on.

• Are you seeking revenge?
• Do you want to see “them” fail?
• Can you give your thoughts of revenge over to GOD?
• Will you focus on HIS kingdom first?