Today, during my morning time with Jesus, I was eager to dive into his word and to learn more about what his plans are for me, but like many times I did not know where in the bible I should begin reading.
As a result, instead of playing bible roulette, I did something that I'm trying to make more of a habit of. Ask God what he wanted to speak to me today.
So while I played worship music and waited on God, he placed the book of James on my heart.
Just the day before, during some much needed fellowship and bible study with the guys, the book of James briefly came up, primarily James 1:17. It reads,
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows" (New International Version. Jas. 1.17).
Ironically the verse that talks about the perfect gifts of God led me to receive another gift from God which was some deeper reading into the book of James.
Talk about the gift that keeps on giving huh?
Though I only read the first two chapters, there was a lot of stuff in there.
One of the many things that stand out to me is James chapter one verse two and three, when it reads,
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (New International Version. Jas. 1.2-3).
What James is saying with this verse, is that our faith can only grow and mature, when we are faced with trials of opposition and moments of difficulty. This is when our faith is put to the test.
Although, when we become complacent and laid back in our relationship with God, not only do we become more susceptible to temptation than we would if we were constantly and faithfully pursuing God, but we fail to grow and mature in Christ.
If every good and perfect gift comes from the Father, how can we expect to be at our best without the good and perfect gifts that he gives us when we pursue him and spend time with him?
The second portion of Scripture that stands out to me is James chapter two verse one through five. It reads,
“My brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ don’t show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: 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?” (New International Version. Jas. 2.1-5.).
We do this many times without even realizing it.
At church, when that new group of people walk in, and because they may appear approachable or safe to talk to, we gladly greet them and embrace them and may even befriend them. We may even introduce them to Christ and as result, because of God's grace, they could be saved.
But how about that one person that has been going to church for three weeks, yet no one has greeted them yet? How about the person that has been going to church for four months, and is hurting inside, so much so that they are too afraid to approach anyone because of their own insecurities?
It's easy to stay in the bubble of our comfort zones. But in our comfort zones we do not grow, and in the so called "solace" of our self made bubbles we could prevent ourselves from reaching people that could be deeply wanting to speak to someone yet the hurt that they are experiencing is so great, that it could prevent them from doing so.
Many times we value certain people more than others based on their appearance or what they have and ignore others that may not be as fortunate.
In other words we play favorites.
God did not play favorites. He loved those that were rich and he loved those that were poor.
First Samuel chapter sixteen verse seven reads,
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (New International Version. 1Sa. 13.7).
For God looks not at what we show or portray on the outside, but by the content and condition of our hearts.
The final thing that stood out to me from the portion of Scripture that I read, is James Chapter two verses fourteen through seventeen. It reads,
"14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (New International Version. Jas. 2.14-17).
Yep. This was the one that hit me the hardest.
How many times have we had someone come up to us and say "man I'm going going through a tough time, or "it's too much, I can't take it anymore"," amongst other statements of this variety showing that someone is definitely hurting?
An even better question should be, how many times have we noticed that this may have been a divine appointment from God?
Sometimes we are are so caught up in ourselves and being comfortable, that we may ignore someone that is in desperate need of what we have and can freely share.
The Love of Christ.
Personally for me, I was one of these types of people, and sometimes, because of my own insecurities or fears I still am.
Faith is demonstrated by action. One could say a million and a half things to a person that may be hurting, but don’t you think it would make them feel much better if someone actually did something to help change their situation rather than just wishing them luck?
Yes we may be fearful and yes we may be anxious, but none of those things are from God.
Philippians chapter four verse six reads,
“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (New International Version. Php. 4.6).
Though anxiety is not from Christ, sometimes God allows anxiety, but solely for the purpose to bring us back to him. Anxiety tells us that we are relying on ourselves, and points us back to the one were are supposed to rely on. Yes anxiety makes us feel uncomfortable, but so does pain. Pain is not a bad thing. Pain is used in order to tell us that something is wrong. Pain tells the body that there is an issue that needs to be resolved before it becomes worse. Anxiety is the same way.
Before we make a situation worse by relying on ourselves, we best go back to Christ and faithfully allow him to work in us, so that we may act in accordance to his will. When we realize this it becomes much easier to rely on Christ and as a result move in faith, especially when someone is hurting and in need of him.
So today God really had a lot in store for me and I didn’t even know it, but that’s the best part isn’t it? When we follow after God we are never disappointed and we are never left empty.
It’s when we seek him that not only do we find him, but he does in us more than we ever imagined.
“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul” (New International Version. Dt. 4.29).
“20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us” (The Message. Eph. 3.20-21).
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