James 1

OK - so did anyone read James 1 yesterday? I know school just started & we're all a little busy, it's a crazy time of year. But let me just say that taking 5 minutes out of your day to read the Word of God will do amazing things for you. Just the sense of peace & connection with your Heavenly Father is worth this small sacrifice of your time. Not to mention the Words of Wisdom that will pour into your soul & the familiar way the Holy Spirit will use those words throughout the day to help you in each & every situation you find yourself in. Ah, it's amazing.

Now, I will confess that I get sidetracked, I get busy, I sometimes get just plain lazy. My blog posts will back me up in this confession. However, I know what is best for me & I kick myself when I stray away, because my life feels so much more chaotic when I don't spend this time in the Word.

So - READ IT! Spend some time here. Let's go back over James 1. This book was written by Jesus' brother, James about 15-20 years after Jesus' death & resurrection. James became a leader of the church in Jerusalem and wrote one of the earliest letters to new Christians to build them up and help them out. These words may be 2,000 years old, but they still apply to our situations & dilemmas today.

James' letter doesn't start out with platitudes & hellos, he jumps right into the heart of the matter - persecution. Many of use will face persecution in this world for our beliefs. Not much has changed in that regard. There will always be people who tease, scoff, or even belittle you for living a life that is different, for not conforming to the world's idea of "normal". James reminds us to not worry. In fact, he tells us to consider this joy, because these trials draw us closer to God, strengthen our faith, and help us to grow into mature, complete, and best of all whole people. Who feels incomplete? Anyone feel a big emptiness or hole in your life? Faith & a relationship with God fill that. How awesome is that?

James reminds us that God will give us the wisdom we need, we only need to ask for it with certainty, knowing that God gives to those who believe. He also let's us know that godly wisdom is to be desired over material wealth. Riches WILL NOT make us happy. You can never accumulate enough stuff to fill that hole we talked about a little while ago. Only godly wisdom - a true knowledge & understanding of the ways of God that leads us into a life-changing relationship with the Creator of the Universe - will fill that hole. So ask for it & it is yours. Again, how awesome is that?

Now we have one of my favorite passages of Scripture & probably the best advice you'll ever get:

• Be quick to listen, slow to speak, & slow to anger. Basically - listen to what people say, think about it before you respond & don't let yourself be easily angered by other people's actions or words. Simple advice that is so hard to follow.


• Don't just read the Bible. Put it into action. Do what it says. What's the point in filling your cup with water if your not going to drink it? Why would you make a meal you're just going to throw away? If you're starving and I gave you money to buy food, would you drive to the store just to look in the window & then turn around & go home? No! The Bible isn't just a bunch of nice words, not just a good story. It's your instruction manual for life.


• Your words show your heart. The things you say reveal your attitude & your commitment. So, control your tongue & you'll control your emotions, your attitude, & your actions.


• Religion is not how good you look to God & others. It's about serving & sacrificing for others.

Get ahold of this advice. Write it down & read it over & over again if you need to. This stuff is life-changing. It's food for your soul. It's the answer to all your problems. I pray that your school year is blessed. That your classes are interesting. That your teachers are fair. But most of all, I pray that you grab hold of the truth found in the Word of God & you let it transform your life into something rewarding & powerful. This is the education that will do the most for you. This is what is really important.