Theme: James 3

Wisdom and Community:  Seen it Lately?

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with a couple of college students and our conversation caused me to pause and reflect.  While we discussed their daily routines and college life in general, the memories of my walk through the halls of academe resurfaced.  At one point, they asked me what I did during lunch each day which brought back even better memories. 

During my college years, I lived at home and commuted back and forth to school.  This was partly because we had a dairy farm on which I worked but mainly due to the expense of getting my own place (news flash – most college students are broke).  Because we lived several miles from the university and the fact that I was a stereotypical college student (dead-broke), driving back home each day for lunch was not an option.  So, I either took my lunch, attended free lunches, or on some Thursdays I would eat with my grandmother who lived in town.

Now Granny could cook.  Man, could she cook!  Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas were just a sampling of her repertoire that could cause the most heated family political debate to be put on hold until after supper.  Even her tuna salad could make you dance.  However, I think it was the conversation during these Thursday noon-time meals that fed me the most. 

Granny and Pa were farmers as well.  They had a dairy and raised, hay, cotton, and peanuts as did many of their neighbors.  My ears really tuned in when she described harvest-time back in those days.  She would tell of how one neighbor may own a thrasher and someone else have a hay baler or tractor and how they would all come together when the crops were ready, moving from one family farm to the next, harvesting field after field for several weeks until the harvest was completed.  She would talk about the huge meals they would prepare each day for those working in the fields and how everyone (man, woman, and child) shared a role in some aspect of the harvest.  As she talks, I can see folks working with one another through good times and bad.  I can see their struggles but also feel their comfort knowing they are shared struggles.  I can sense the sincerity of their labor and feel the joy they share for one another.    What a beautiful picture of individuals within community with a common purpose.    

Times are a bit different now.  Today, it seems that there is more emphasis placed individual pursuits.  One doesn’t have to look very far to find the prevalence of the “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) mentality in our culture.  We have businesses and television channels dedicated to it.  You can even find a television show depicting the plight of individuals clawing, backstabbing, and maliciously fighting their way through a series of “group projects” in an effort to become the next “Apprentice” of a millionaire.  Not too long ago there was a special television show created by a basketball star (referred to as “King”) that depicted his selection process for which team would be afforded the opportunity to award him his next big contract.  A somewhat different picture than the one Granny painted.

Please don’t misunderstand me.  It is necessary for us to develop our talents and skills and be able to take care of ourselves.  It is important for us to be able to do some things on our own.  But, I think it is of greater importance to look at why we are equipping ourselves and for what purpose.  When I survey the picture painted in the previous paragraph it becomes apparent to me that, if we allow culture and “self” to become the informant that directs our journey, then greed, envy, and selfish-ambition will ultimately become our wisdom.  Our path then becomes twisted and fraught with danger.  Furthermore and contrary to popular thought, this state of being affects not only the individual but the community as well.  

James reminds us that “…the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”  (James 3:17)

As I reflect on the words pure, peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere, the picture that Granny painted keeps popping into my mind.  Of the two pictures I’ve presented, this one seems more Christ-like…more humble.

Have you thought about who your “King” is?  What are you an “Apprentice” of?  What you are harvesting and for whom?

Father, bless me with the strength and courage to put my knowledge of you and your will into action.  May I advance your purposes.  Thank you for community as I can’t do it alone.  Thank you for sending Jesus to save me from myself.

In His name I pray,

Amen

Todd Adams – Dublin, TX

Theme: James 3

Wisdom:  Two Choices

“You are the king!  What is wrong, why are you not eating?  Arise, eat and be happy, for I will give you the plot of land you so desire.  You are the king, no one refuses the will of the king!”
Jezebel devised a wicked plan to acquire the vineyard of Naboth.  In the name of king Ahab, she wrote letters to the elders and nobles living in the city with Naboth.  They were to proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people.  Two evil men were to testify against him declaring, he had cursed God and the king.  It happened just as Jezebel had planned; the people stoned Naboth upon hearing the false testimony of two witnesses.

Evil Jezebel instructed her husband, Ahab, to go take the vineyard because Naboth was dead.  He did.   Elijah was given a word from the LORD concerning Ahab and Jezebel.  Elijah shared with Ahab the curse the LORD would bring upon him.  (taken from I Kings 21)

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing ( James 3:14-16).

Tabitha lived in Joppa, she was a believer.  Doing good and helping poor people was her mission (See Acts 9:36)

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom (James 3:13).

Which wisdom will you and I choose?
An earthly wisdom, governed by jealousy and selfish ambition?
A wisdom governed by good behavior and gentleness?


Loving, Merciful Father,
Impart to us a desire to seek and follow Your wisdom, to deny the desires of this world.  To serve those in need as Your hands and feet.  Thank You, Father, for the wisdom Christ modeled as He walked upon this earth.  In His beautiful name, Amen.

Mischelle Oiver, Stephenville

Theme: James 3

Examine the Evidence

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:9-12

James uses the first 8 verses of chapter 3 to illustrate and emphasize the significant influence our words have on our life.  Beginning in verse 9, James contrasts the good and evil ways we use our tongue.  The idea that we can praise God in one breath and curse our brother with the next isn’t acceptable, “This should not be.”  He reasons that this behavior does not make sense for a disciple of Jesus Christ.  In fact, this type of behavior is impossible for a true disciple.  He concludes his argument with emphatic comparisons about fresh or salt water and types of trees.  

James’ logic is comparable to Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6:43-45.  Jesus drew upon an age-old axiom, “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.”  What we see and hear and touch provides evidence for identification.  We humans not only understand this concept, we embrace the allure of an investigation.  For example, criminal investigation scripts have for decades been a popular genre for movies and television.  Yet, in our own lives, we tend to fail to see evidence (or ignore the evidence if it is known) which might reveal faults within us.  Jesus continues his cautionary comments, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

An additional and related matter is that God asked us to follow Jesus’ example of love.  We are commanded to love one another (John 13:34).  John later makes the argument that loving God and loving our brother are joint commands, not optional choices (1 John 4:19-21).

If praising and cursing are evident in your speech, is it possible you have a blind eye to the truth? Maybe some cleansing needs to take place in your heart.  God has amazing power to produce fresh water.

Dear Father, please help me to have the self-control to use my words wisely.  I want to demonstrate my love for you by praising you.  I also want to demonstrate my love for you by loving my brother.  This should be evident in the way I speak to my brother.  Please cleanse my heart and strengthen my resolve.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Carl Smith
Stephenville, TX

Theme: James 3

Use Words With Care!

I am sharing today from James 3:2-10.  These scriptures relate the power of the tongue for evil. James is warning us how much damage can be done with our tongue.  He tells us no man can tame the tongue and that it is full of deadly poison.  Just in case we think we have it all together where our words are concerned, he tells us, anyone who is never at fault in what he says is a perfect man. We know we are not perfect.  James reminds us how this small part of the body is like a rudder on a ship. Even though strong winds come, this small rudder controls the direction of the ship.

After meditating on these verses the last couple weeks I realized how important it is for all of us to be familiar with these scriptures and take them to heart.  One thing we all do is speak hundreds of words every day!  These words of warning are relevant to every one of us.
“Death and life lies in the power of the tongue”. Prov. 18:21

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing”. Prov. 12:18
Realizing the potential deadly poison within my tongue, made me slow down more than usual and think about the affect of my words on others.  I had a heightened awareness of the impact of my words at work and at home.  Those within my home need my kind, gracious, uplifting words more than anyone!  The words I speak in my home have great influence on those I love.

Every word has the power to hurt or to heal. What did yours do today?

The tongue is like a spark that can set off a forest fire. By our speech we can turn harmony into chaos, throw mud on a reputation or curse those made in the image of God.  It has the power to corrupt our whole body.  Sometimes we don’t realize how powerful our words are…we can make someone cry…we can make someone smile.  Words can shatter someone’s dreams.

Take time to think before you speak.

Allow the Spirit of God to use the power of the tongue for good.  Use your words to encourage someone, bring hope and cheer, promote love and reconcile relationships.  God is willing and able to give us the words to radically change our message and our affect upon the world.

In closing, I want to share a video, “The Power of Words” illustrating how a few words can change a situation.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

Dear Lord, take control of my words today. Give me words that encourage others and give them hope!  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Terry Smith
Stephenville TX

Theme: James 3:1-18

THE TROUBLE WITH THE TONGUE

James devotes the third chapter of his letter to the tongue (i.e., speech!).  How could something so small cause so much trouble?  Words we speak break friendships, end marriages, start wars and split churches.  Our tongues ruin our reputations, hurt our friends, get us fired and make our lives unbearable.

James was right when he said that large forests are burned down by small fires. We start things with our words that can’t be controlled later. He was also right when he said that no one could control the tongue. It is easier to tame a grizzly bear or train a killer whale than control our tongue. And it’s so predictable. One minute you’re praying and the next you are cursing. What can you do?

Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” It’s like this—You have a big bucket filled completely to the rim. You attempt to carry it through a crowd. When you get bumped, you slosh out on the floor whatever is in the bucket. Since your mouth will speak whatever is in your heart, and since you cannot control your mouth, you must control what you put in your heart.

James says, “What comes out of the spring, is what is in the spring.” So we must fill our heart with that which is pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good works. Then when a word slips out, we have nothing to worry about.

Dear Lord, You, who are so holy, there is no sin in You. Your words are always true. I praise your name. I am ashamed when I think of the other things that have come out of my mouth. You not only hear my words, but you know my heart. “Create in me a new heart, O God!” Please forgive the evil I have stored in it. Wash me clean. Thank you for Jesus and His blood. Make the thoughts of my heart and the words of my mouth be a blessing and never a curse.   In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas