Have I mentioned lately how very much I love our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan? It never fails that there is something in each day's reading that pertains specifically to the times we are living in right now! Many times the lessons that I am learning are for my own personal growth, development and correction. There are times, however, when the lesson is too important not to share! Today's is such a lesson! We read in James 3 today, where we heard how important it is to avoid jealously, contention and pride in our dealings with others. We saw how important, and impossible on our own, that it is to 'tame the tongue'! Only with help of Holy Spirit is this possible! Thank YOU, Holy Spirit! The verses I especially want to draw your attention to today are verses 17-18:
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). 18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
Especially during this election season things have become heated between people and groups that used to see eye to eye on many things! That includes friends and relatives of my own. I have taken to only sharing my thoughts with like-minded people so as not to stir up even more contention. I believe, after studying this passage today, that though this is good, God's very best is for me to continue to share with all of these whom JESUS has put into my life, but to share what is really important. That would be to encourage, every day, with the Word of God! Not for the purpose of correction, unless specifically, and prayerfully, instructed by Holy Spirit Himself. Otherwise, my responsibility to the Body of Christ is to continue to pour life, joy and freedom into their lives! If these are walking closely with JESUS, then they will receive with joy and grace. If they are not, then Holy Spirit will continue to work in their hearts through LOVE, LIFE and LIGHT! AMEN! I am not responsible to convince other believers of their decisions. Too much of that has been done in recent months, to the extreme detriment of the Body of Christ and our 'image', so to speak, in the world. I am not speaking of being liked. I am speaking of being LIGHT! It's one thing to have people avoid us because they do not want the LIGHT at this time. It is something else entirely when people avoid us because we have become contentious, argumentative, bitter, condescending, judgmental and accusatory in our attitude, words and behavior. It is NOT my responsibility to 'get' someone to 'vote right'! The natural world has no bearing on our commission to preach the GOSPEL! It is just NOT that important! What am I saying? Take your own personal responsibility to vote before God and be obedient to what the Word of God and Holy Spirit is saying to YOU. Now PRAY that HE will get His will through to everyone else voting and leave it to HIM! That IS, after all, HIS job! AMEN! Here is one of the songs from Hillsong Worship's new album "Let There Be Light" to encourage you to put first things first! THAT would be JESUS! The song is called "What A Beautiful Name":
Shalom in Him!
