Listening and Doing

James 1: 19-27: "My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 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. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

It is good for us to listen to the Word. To read the Bible, and to talk to God (and listen to what He has to say). But it is also important to do. I mean, I don't think God wants us to just sit around and do nothing. Look around you! There's people hurting, people confused, people in distress. How can we just do nothing? We need to reach out to them, and we need to do what God has called for us to do. God didn't create us to listen , he created us to do. I'm not saying that we shouldn't listen, obviously. We need to listen, but in following listening, we must do something.

Like it says in the verse above, "anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says, is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." It's like looking at someone sitting without shelter, hungry for food, and thirsty for water. Should we look at him like we are looking in a mirror, walking away and forgetting what we saw? Of course not.

So let us listen, and let us do.

Trials and Temptations

James 1: 2-8: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

James 1: 12: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him."

We will go through trials and temptations. But let us be happy in the fact that with God, we can persevere. We should trust Him in everything. When there is a trial, should we just give up? No. We don't go through it alone. God is there right with us, and He may be testing us. Don't you want to show and express your love for God? Your dedication to Him?

In trials and temptations, if we are not sure what to do, go to God. We can't figure it out on our own. He can give us the wisdom, if we are open to it. We have to listen. It's good for us to talk to Him, and ask Him things. But we must learn to be still, quiet, and patient to what He has to say, and what answers He has for us. If we are confused, He will help us. If we pray to God about something, we should do it without doubt. We should have the belief that He will answer. Don't let your confusion and questions stress you out or blind you. God is right there with us, guiding us. We shouldn't give up. We aren't alone. We don't go through problems alone. We don't do things alone. God helps us, if we are open to it.

Blessed are those who persevere!

Death and All of His Friends

"No I don't wanna battle
From beginning to end
I don't wanna cycle
Recycle revenge
I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends

No I don't wanna battle
From beginning to end
I don't wanna cycle
Recycle revenge
I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends".

--Coldplay, "Death and All His Friends".


As most of you know, Coldplay is my favorite band. Reading those lyrics from the song, it got me thinking.

"No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end". I know I don't, either. It's not bad to fight for what we believe in. But why fight pointless fights, from beginning to end? I'm tired of arguing and then regretting it because the fight was over something that wasn't even a big deal. I'm tired of arguing and then regretting it because I could have handled the situation in a better way. Recently God gave me a feeling of joy, peace, love, and happiness. He lifted a weight off my shoulder. What weight? My own weight. I emotionally hurt myself by beating myself up inside after arguments/fights. I don't wanna battle pointless battles. Not to say I'll never argue again or say things I'll regret later, because I'm sure I will. But God is helping me.

"I don't wanna cycle, recycle revenge". What if someone goes behind your back? Someone you trusted? What if someone hurt someone you cared about? Should we fight fire with fire? No. Fight fire with water. Put out the fire. We'll get hurt in our lives, but we need to look up to God, for He is watching over us and loves us. We should not cycle, recycle revenge. God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, including our enemies. If we respond with revenge, that will only make things worse. Cycling revenge is pointless...and again, why fight pointless fights from beginning to end? Let us respond in the way God would want us to.

"I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends". John 3:16: "For God so loved the world He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life". God is my Life. I shall follow Him, not death. I shall not follow God's enemy and his friends.

God, I'm in love with you. Thank for opening my eyes to certain things. Thank you for working in my life. Thank you. I love you. Amen. :)

Be Still

Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I Am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth".

Sometimes we get so busy, so caught up in life. We need to be here, need to do that. Sometimes it's stressful and tiring. But we need to take time to just sit, take a breath, and be still. Talk to God. "Be still and know that I Am God". God will take care of you. He's got you covered. He'll get things worked out. It won't always be easy, but nothing is difficult for God. Trust in Him, and know that He is God. Praise Him.

Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me".

Sometimes when we are so busy, we aren't even sure if we can get all the things we need to get done, done. But we need to, again, be still. Know that we can get things done, for God strengthens us.

Let us praise Him, for He loves us, strengthens us, is watching over us.

Doing Good To All

Galatians 5:14-15: "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

Galatians 5: 22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Galatians 5:26: "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Galatians 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Everyone needs love. The strong, the weak, the rich, the poor, the broken, the hurt...everyone. I find great joy in doing good to people--helping them, putting a smile on their face, making them laugh, letting them know someone loves them and cares about them. Letting them know God has a plan for their life.

It doesn't matter if someone disagrees with you or not, or has different beliefs from you, or is different from you. They still need reaching out to also, and you should fellowship with them. Give them love. (Yes, even your enemies are your neighbors) "Love your neighbor as yourself". Let us do what God has commanded us to. :)

He Who Watches Over Us

Casting Crowns, "Praise you in the storm":

I was sure by now

God you would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say, "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I'll praise You in the storm

And I will lift my hands

For You Are Who You Are

No matter where I am

Every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard me cry

You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hand and praise the God Who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of heaven and earth

_________________________

Psalm 121: 1-8: "I lift my eyes unto the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip, He Who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He Who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."