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13 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. 14 Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. 15 It's the furthest thing from wisdom - it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. 16 Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.17 Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. 18 You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. 1 Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. 2 You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. 3 And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. 7 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. 8 Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. (James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a The Message).
A blessed and peaceful Tuesday be yours, ConCafe Family. May you radiate God's light in all things, dear Reader, is my prayer for you. May God hear our prayers as we pray for one another and for the needs of one another. Pray for our world, for peace, for healing, and for comfort for those who need it.
The disciples walked with Jesus after having been taught by Him, and yet they argued about who among them was the greatest. Jesus had to reintroduce to them the idea of servanthood. And here, James writes about the same theme; serving others before yourself. What a novel concept to "live well, live wisely, live humbly. Waht really counts, James says, is how you live not how you talk. To blind oneself with ambition gains nothing for anyone. We cannot boast our way into wisdom's hall of fame. James says it's simply living like an animal and a demonic one at that. If you're trying to make yourself look better at the expense of others only leads to squabbles and divisions. Seek holiness, God's holiness by living a holy life and start getting along with others. Be a gentle, reasonable person, who is known for mercy and the blessings you give; and be a building part of a community that is known for living right before and with God; and because you treat others with dignity and honor, that community will grow.
As a superintendent I came to know which churches were robust and healthy because of the way they treated each other and their pastor. I also knew the bitter, foul minded organizations that sought only its way instead of God's. One church wanted, no, demanded, to know if a two-week vacation for their pastor needed to include two consecutive Sundays; while the other ignored the conference policy of two-weeks for relatively new pastors and gave their pastor four weeks vacation. And James says, "Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what's not yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your won way." Ouch, and double ouch. Hear more; "So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field."
Yesterday we spoke of the positive aspects of children and their lives; the reality is that until shown otherwise, selfishness may rule their behavior, and until their behavior shows love, compassion, and understanding, quarrels and fights will rule the day. The call is for what James said to be our call to attention; love God and imitate Him. Childlike wonder mixed with compassion goes further than a selfish inward-turned gimme, gimme, gimme that gets nothing and loses it all.
Where do you think God wants us? How shall we get there?
PRAYER: Loving and patient Father, speak to us Your wisdom and guidance. We truly want to be where You lead. We want to be the robust community of hope and faith, love and understanding; and You are the only one who can get us there. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show more love and peace today to all!
Receive my blessings of joy and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
