Hold That Thought

Hold That Thought

James 1: ²⁶ Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself. ²⁷ What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.

 

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Staying awake one night, I thought of ways to argue over scripture. I had taken classes at a locally famous bible institute and wanted to show what “I” knew. We went back and forth over who was “right.” Looking back on the argument, I cannot even remember the conclusion.

 

• Our argument had no “winner.”
• No one was helped, yet I spent a lot of time getting my argument ready.
• Being legally right was my goal.

 

James attempted to address a huge issue, namely religious arrogance. Religious arguments were probably the cause of people trying to out-say one another or to look good in front of each other. He then gives alternatives that were hard to address, but much needed.

 

My Observations:

• Looking good in front of people can lead to my downfall with GOD.
• Spending time sounding religious without actions is worthless to GOD.
• Taking care of orphans and widows in their suffering is pleasing to GOD.

 

Thinking of ways to look good by spouting out scripture or quoting some famous person can sometimes show my insecurity. I mean, I am basically saying, “Don’t look at me, but listen to me as I say someone else’s words.” This habit can eventually become worthless. BUT GOD has another way.

 

Serve suffering people. James gives some examples, but they are not the only list. Serving family, friends and neighbors who are suffering would also please GOD. But it does not mean I should not seek orphans and widows who need help. GOD sees the heart and looking good in front of HIM is what is important. I am glad HE gives me plenty to “do.”

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the question “Do any of you think you are religious?”
• Be honest, have you ever felt you were superior to someone by what you say?
• Will you seek looking good in front of GOD, even when humans may not give you credit, by doing what HE wants you to do and serve who HE wants you to serve today?

Help Where Possible

Help Where Possible

1 Timothy 5: ³ Show respect for widows who really are all alone. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties toward their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God. ⁵ A widow who is all alone, with no one to take care of her, has placed her hope in God and continues to pray and ask him for his help night and day. ⁶ But a widow who gives herself to pleasure has already died, even though she lives. ⁷ Give them these instructions, so that no one will find fault with them. ⁸ But if any do not take care of their relatives, especially the members of their own family, they have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.

 

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My phone call list had grown longer and longer. Uncles and adopted fathers had passed away and all I could do was say hello every now and then. It felt overwhelming at times because life kept happening to me as well. But when I did call, it was a welcome conversation.

 

• I could not do more than reach out.
• When I finished the conversation, it did not seem like that much time had passed.
• This passage is a reminder to reach out to some people.

 

Paul speaks about taking care of widows. He tells Timothy that the primary responsibility is for the children and grandchildren to take care of widows. But those who are alone, help where possible. Paul gives a sharp rebuke to those who are not actively praying for or encouraging their family.

 

My Observations

• When GOD said “The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few” I believe HE also includes service to widows.
• Widows have a special place in GOD’s heart.
• Reaching out to a widow may be all I can handle when life is happening to me.

 

It really does take a village. I mean, I can try to solve and resolve all of life’s issues faced by those who are alone, grieving and bereaved. But when I look at the ocean of need, I get overwhelmed. BUT GOD has a remedy. Take it in small steps.

 

GOD wants me to reach out to at least one person who is a widow to bring a smile to that person’s face. HE wants me to make room in my schedule to at least say “Hello.” If I can do more, then great, if not, then GOD understands. I am glad prayer, encouragement and honor can be given to those in need.

 

Challenge

• Who has what responsibilities according to the writer?
• Do you know a widow who could use a phone call from you today?
• Will you reach out to a widow to check in and see how she is doing and pray for those who you cannot reach out to today?

Reputation

 

Reputation

Romans 16: ⁶ Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. ⁷ Greetings also to Andronicus and Junia, fellow Jews who were in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.

 

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When I had a question, I asked a few people. I was met with the same response. “Go see ‘that’ person.” I left the name off on purpose. When I met “that” person I understood why everyone spoke so highly. This person was caring, knowledgeable and worked hard. Great reputation.

 

• I have met many people based on their great reputation.
• I have had great experiences because their reputation was true.
• I have recommended people based on their reputation.

 

Paul mentions a few people who either he had encountered or heard the great reputation. Mary seemed like a woman Paul knew of by reputation while Andronicus and Junia were fellow cellmates. Each person he mention had a good reputation with serving the LORD in his experience.

 

• GOD wants me to have a good reputation amongst humans.
• GOD wants me to treat people well because I represent HIM.
• GOD wants me to work hard for others without worrying what people think of me.

 

Reputations require character. I mean, some reputations can be paid for by marketing geniuses, fooling the masses into belief. BUT GOD sees through trickery. GOD wants HIS SPIRIT to shine through me so JESUS’ reputation can be sought after. It is not “my” reputation that is important.

 

• What is your reputation?
• Do you feel your reputation is more important that JESUS’?
• Will you point your life to CHRIST by acting with HIS character and reduce trying to please people today?

Serve the Overlooked Well

 

Serve the Overlooked Well

Romans 11: ¹³ I am speaking now to you Gentiles: As long as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I will take pride in my work. ¹⁴ Perhaps I can make the people of my own race jealous, and so be able to save some of them. ¹⁵ For when they were rejected, all other people were changed from God's enemies into his friends. What will it be, then, when they are accepted? It will be life for the dead!

 

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When I got the promotion, I thought I would be given a team. “Make your own team” was the strange directive given to me and no one else. I met with people who were overlooked in the company and formed a team of volunteers. They worked out so well that the team got noticed and those in “power” asked how we did it.

 

• There were times when rejection seemed like a problem to me.
• There were times when being overlooked felt degrading to me.
• There were times when unfairness was the norm towards me.

 

Paul spoke about the Jewish leaders who rejected JESUS as the Messiah. He became a preacher to the Gentiles because of their rejection. He wanted to serve the Gentiles, who had been overlooked by his race, well. He still hoped his race would be saved.

 

• GOD wants me to take pride in my work as I serve the group HE sends me to.
• GOD wants me to pay attention to the overlooked.
• GOD wants me to see those who have been rejected as HIS friends.

 

Speaking about JESUS has to be done. It cannot be bottled up inside once a person sees what JESUS did. Unfortunately, there will be those who too stuck on the pleasures of life to hear about the abundance GOD speaks about.

 

So GOD sends me to those who can hear about JESUS. HE does not have time to waste, so HE takes me and those ready to speak about JESUS, to HIS harvest. I am grateful GOD is no longer my enemy but calls me a friend.

 

• Are you overlooking people?
• Are you seeking the pleasures of the world without speaking about the greatness of JESUS?
• Will you take the responsibility of speaking about JESUS seriously and take the message to those GOD sends you to today?

Serve and Protect

Serve and Protect

Acts 20: ²⁵ “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. ²⁶ Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. ²⁷ For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. ²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

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After attending the leadership class, I thought I was ready to lead the department. I mean, I learned skills on how to work with other’s nicely and how to value the opinions of one another.

When the budget meeting came up, the other department leaders acted like voracious wolves, stopping at nothing to get more money and people. “Wait, I thought we were supposed to be nice. Maybe I should be tough like them”

• There were times when I misinterpreted what a leader should be.
• There were times when I thought a leader was supposed to build “a” truth for themselves.
• There were times when I considered lying to others, sabotaging others or protecting “my” ideas so “I” could get credit or noticed.

Paul was making a final plea to the leaders he summoned to meet with. He knew he was called to a place where he might be jailed or killed for speaking about JESUS as LORD and Savior. He gave explicit directions and warnings to the leaders on how to truly lead.

• GOD wants me to serve others by guarding my own heart with HIS word.
• GOD wants me to protect HIS flock by explaining JESUS died for all, and those who believe in the need for salvation will be saved through HIM.
• GOD wants me to watch out for those who will claim to be leaders of the flock, but are really out to protect their status or wallet.

Leading GOD’s people can only be done in Spirit and truth. Unfortunately, there will be many who distort the truth for their convenience. BUT GOD has a remedy. HE revealed just enough of HIS Word for anyone who desires to get to know HIM, to follow.

HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to open my heart and the hearts of those who truly want to follow HIM, to follow the examples of JESUS, knowing HE is the only one who gave HIS “hands” and “feet” on the cross. I am grateful JESUS was and is willing to be the leader of my life.

• Are you a leader?
• Do you blame leaders?
• Will you listen to GOD and become a leader who serves others and protects them with HIS word and the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT today?

True Finances

True Finances

John 16: 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

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Over time, the coins I took to the bank added up. I got excited over seeing the balance grow. I could now afford to buy anything I wanted. “Maybe I will buy some pants” I said to myself. I mean the ones I had were ragged and outgrown. “I deserve something better.”

• Money made me excited.
• Money made me think there was a problem when I did not have it.
• Money made me want more of it so I could depend on its power.

JESUS had a lot more to say to HIS followers but ran out of time. HE spoke about the HOLY SPIRIT in a generous way. Somehow, the HOLY SPIRIT will give away everything that was entrusted to JESUS.

• Truth is a currency the HOLY SPIRIT gives to me.
• Glorifying JESUS is a currency the HOLY SPIRIT gives to me.
• Salvation of those around me is a currency the HOLY SPIRIT gives to me.

Truth, praise and salvation are extremely important to the FATHER. But sometimes I fall into the trap, thinking human made finances are more important. I mean, GOD wants me to be more upset that one of my neighbor’s may be rejecting HIM, than worrying if their grass is not cut to the right length.

JESUS treasures humans and wants me to do the same. HE wants me to be as greedy as I want to be, as long as my greed is for human salvation. GOD’s currency is opposite that of human currency, which raises false hopes, false expectations and false security. GOD’s currency is truth and I believe in HIS true hope and security.

• Are you as concerned about your neighbor’s salvation than if you can pay a bill this month?
• Do you care about others more than the latest thing you want to spend money on?
• Will you accept caring for what GOD gives you more than what you can get out of life?