James _1
Scripture - What stood out?
James 1: 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Observation - What does it say?James, the brother of Jesus, writes this letter to the twelve tribes of Israel scattered throughout the known world at the time. Understanding - What does it mean?I have been having such intense dreams lately. This morning I woke up and it is so rare for me to remember my dreams but this one stood out to me. My house had been broken into by another family, a man with a gun, his wife, and a small child. Aware of that fact I quietly armed myself, the gentleman made eye contact with me, flashed his firearm to me as I maintained eye contact and flashed my weapon to him. At a veritable stalemate suddenly he pointed his weapon on himself. When I was younger I was slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. Walking with God over the years I am much improved. In my dreams anyway! Verse 20 and verse 21 stood out to me because of what happened next in my dream. I began speaking to the young man who was still pointing the gun at himself and encouraging him that our meeting was not by chance. But as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t spit out what I really wanted to say. “God loves you! Repent! Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior!” I have reached that stage where I am actively trying to rid myself of evil, I try my best to humbly accept the word planted in me, and I believe that I am saved. Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today? God I think about the peace, the warmth, the release, the love that flooded into me the day I accepted you as my Lord and Savior. I accept you, I accept your life giving words and I pray that they continue to take deep root and grow inside me. But I think about that young man in my dreams and my prayer is that you would give me courage to boldly proclaim and plant Your words of life in him, if ever given the chance to. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen. -kenneth lee