James 2:1-4

This week’s challenge:

Don’t show favoritism….instead show mercy!

Let's take time this week to evaluate our lives. Are we showing favoritism to anyone or any group of people? Do we realize that showing favoritism is a sin? This week ask God to open your eyes and help you identify those you may be showing favoritism to. Ask God to change your heart, making your heart more like His and helping you to love all people regardless of what they have or don’t have, what they look like, their education level, religion, their background, etc. Ask Him to help you love your neighbors as yourself and to show mercy to others just as He has shown mercy to us.

When I finished reading verses 2-4 this morning, I felt like I could replace the word "meeting" (which can be understood for us as a church service) with "workplace". I know I've shared with you before my struggles at work, and again I find more Scripture applying for me in that way! Especially as a waitress, when I depend on who walks through the door for much of my income, it can be a difficulty to treat each customer fairly, if not in action, even moreso in my heart thoughts. When a customer walks through the door wearing "shabby clothes" or who, for example, has a scruffy appearance and an unpleasant smell, it is very easy to write that person off, to not work as hard for that person, to not give them much attention, because after all, they most likely won't leave a tip, right?
On the other hand, a beautiful, richly-dressed, flowery-scented couple comes in to eat and I know I bend over backwards to make everything perfect, because I know they'll do something for me in return, perhaps leave me over $5 when all is said and done! haha
It's outrageous how I act when money, beauty, wealth, importance, or confidence is involved. When the possibility of being complimented by a hefty tip comes around, boy do I give it my every thought and attention. It doesn't need to be a tip as a waitress that condemns me. It is anything I figure someone can do for me that prompts me to love or serve them more than another.
We are so ingrained to measure others by an earthly standard, to judge them without even thinking! - by appearances only. Before we know it, the judgement it made, and we are convicted of sinning against the 8th Commandment, and we stand condemned before our Lord, who uses no such measuring stick, who separates no man from another.

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..."  (Romans 3:23) Wearing the newest clothes or having the most cash...looking and acting the nicest does not bring us closer to the glory of God. Neither does having and looking like close to nothing - poor, ugly, or sick - take one further from the glory of God than the former. We are all on the same plane to God. We are sinful human beings in need of a Savior.

Realizing the weight of this in my dealings with strangers, with customers...I long for the eyes of Jesus all the more. I confess that my eyes and heart are terribly faulty in being convinced I know how to accurately judge another, in ANY way, but especially by appearances!

I pray that God would change my heart into less of a selfish one, that I would realize, in the case of my work,  that money is so unimportant compared to the possibility of being a witness of Jesus' love to someone seemingly "unfit" for attention. Is a mere dollar or two really worth that much to me to pass over, myself all puffed up, one that needs my love and service all the more?

My goodness, studying James a few verses at a time in such depth really exposes all the cracks in my faith-life. It's easy to think I'm being a Christian and all, and so easy to pass over the "little sins" that speckle my days. But no, God sees the best thing to be urging us all forward in sanctification. It is not good to stay where we are, girls, he wants us to move forward in our understanding of him, to keep growing.
I'm thankful for this. It's a discomfort to realize these things but a glorious reality when I know Christ's grace and sufficiency is enough for me in my weaknesses of learning and growing.

Praying for you all as God reveals to each of you what he wants you to know - and as we work on this week's challenge! :)
Love in Him,
~Cait

James 2:1

"My [sisters], as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism."

The following is an excerpt from Martin Luther that I thought tied well into yesterday's verse. This one was selected for a devotion based on I Timothy 1:5:

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

"Love, as everyone already knows, is simply being kind to someone, showing that person goodness, and offering friendship...Choosing a couple of people who are pleasing to you, who do what you want, and then being friendly to those people is a long way from love. This is a soiled love that doesn't come from a pure heart. It's nothing more than dirt.

For love that flows 'from a pure heart' thinks this way: God has commanded me to direct my love to my neighbor. My heavenly Father wants me to be favorable to everyone whether friends or enemies, just as he is. He lets the sun rise and shine on both good and evil people. God shows goodness to those who continually dishonor him and misuse what he has provided through their disobedience, blasphemy, sin, and shameful behavior. In the same way, he lets rain fall on both the thankful and the unthankful. He give money, property, and all types of things from the earth to the very worst scoundrels. Why does he do this? He does it out of genuine, pure love. is heart is full and overflowing with love. He pours his love over everyone, leaving no one out, whether good or bad, worthy or unworthy. This love is righteous, godly, whole and complete. It doesn't single out certain people or separate people into groups. He freely give his love to all." -Martin Luther

Thank you, God, for your love outpoured on me! I don't deserve this kind of love; help me to remember this when I am hesitant to love or seek out others based on anything. You love all. Help me to love all.

James 1:26-27

Good morning girls!
Wondering how this week's challenge went for all of you! My report is interesting, but un-stunning. I found myself in an argument with my husband on Tuesday, when I distinctly recalled the verse about being quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry. As usual, I know I said more negative than I should have at all, BUT thankfully I didn't become out of control and rant and rave. I remember sitting there quietly, with all my might, and when I did talk, I tried to choose my words very carefully. I didn't execute that "discussion" perfectly, but I definitely think that keeping those words at the forefront of my heart helped immensely!

Then yesterday, at work, some things felt tense and frustrating for me with a few of my co-workers, and I could sense the anger and hurt welling and welling inside me, quite literally. My heart started to race and I felt myself seriously needing to control my breathing, and even more so anything I said during that time. I remember being pretty quiet and taking a moment or two by myself to ask God for strength. Oh, girls, it took all my energy and focus to not say anything or the wrong thing!! I am very thankful for God's companionship in that situation, because fortunately I don't think anyone could tell the war going on inside of me except me! Eventually it passed and I sighed in relief that the wrong feelings inside of me didn't spill over into making an entirely bigger problem out of what I was probably overreacting to in the first place.

Those two events could have taken on a different color and meaning if I hadn't remembered our verses for this week. Thank the Lord for making a difference in our lives by his power working through us!! It literally protects us from all kinds of evil - even in ourselves!!

But of course, those weren't the only situations where I needed to practice our challenge this week. Each day there were many of other opportunities where I know I failed; those were just two of the bigger examples where I felt the power of God's Word working overtime for me in a positive way. :)

Well we learn, and we grow, and then we fail...and learn and grow, don't we? It's a lifelong cycle.

This week's readings can be very well summed up by the following video. (Be encouraged! I think she always says things in such an effective way!)

Week 3 Wrap-Up Video

And then to follow up with another quite beautiful, short&sweet reading to lead you into your weekend, Why Silence is Really Golden.

I hope that you all have a marvelous, relaxing weekend with plenty of time to BE, to pray and worship, to find yourself in Him after a topsy-turvy crazy week. I have to work this weekend, and maybe you do too, so we especially, must make the time.

I love you all dearly, as we learn and grow and appreciate the unending grace and love our Father has for us.
 In Him,
~Cait

James 1: 25

The word 'forget' got me thinking in this passage. A lot of the time we sin because we are being ignorant of the fact that what we are about to do/doing is a sin, but some of the time we sin knowing full well that what we are doing is wrong in God's eyes.

I hate the feeling I get when I am doing something wrong and realize it, but continue what I'm doing. It's our conscience at its finest, and at that moment I know I'm not thankful for it. Sometimes I ungratefully wish it away, telling it to be quiet and to just let me be... to just let me take the easy way out.

Our conscience is a beautiful blessing though, all the time...

It's God's voice that is constantly with us, whispering in our hearts.

He's our daddy giving his precious daughter the absolute best advice we could ever ask for.

This also got me thinking about the gift in fathers that God gives us. I know that everyone doesn't always have a father that's actively in their daughter's life, but everyone most likely has that person in their life, that cares about them more than anything. I know that my dad would do anything for me. He is the sweetest, most caring person I know, and probably will ever know. Even when I don't ask for it, my dad always tells me anything that he thinks I will need to know someday. He loves helping me and wants the absolute best for me, and I trust him with my whole heart. This is the trust I need to have in our Savior.

Thinking about my dad makes me miss him since I'm up here at school, but it also gets me thinking about my Heavenly Father. I can't imagine someone having more love for me than my own dad, but that's how strong of a love God has for us. A love that is impossible to understand.

I know I kind of went in a different direction, but those were my thoughts for this verse :) Hope you all are doing well and enjoyed this gorgeous day!

James 1:25

Good morning!
This morning, my husband and I are competing for computer time. He's got final touches on homework to do, and I'd like to mull and mull, writing and editing and thinking through my post for today...
But to no avail. I promised him I'd be done by now and I'm still not. haha I'm looking forward to having 2 computers in Seminary, since most likely, he'll always be using his then. ... :)
I smile and think about the minute frustrations that steal our sense of control. I thought I'd have the time I crave this morning for myself and God and adequately supplying encouragement for you today, but things change before you can say "change" sometimes. And it's a small thing, but still I want you to know that I am thankful for YOU on the days when I need encouragement as well! I so appreciate YOU in your quiet moments with the Lord, praying over what we read and praying for me, just like I pray about you sweet sisters.
Not every day can be a long, perfectly-written article on Christian living and faith. And really, that is not the point of this blog. I am so thankful just for the community we have and the motivation to daily stay close to the Lord found herein.
Thank you for being here. And I truly pray today, whatever your uncontrolled circumstances be, that God brings you peace and joy found from living close to him.
Like verse 25 says, "...he will be blessed in what he does."

Love you!
~Cait

All Things New

Due to an extreme overabundance of stress and sickness, my jam-packed days haven't allowed me even one spare minute to write a post since I did on Monday. Not to be completely neglectful, I have gotten on here and read your ladies' posts and been very encouraged by them. I know I have no excuse for setting aside time to read, meditate, and write about God's words to us. So this morning, before I rush off to yet another completely scheduled day, I just want to leave my thought.

I was getting ready this morning, for once, not completely dragging my entire body. I got to bed early last night and actually feel GOOD this morning. That makes a huge difference, and I read my Bible flip calendar verse of the day. "Behold, I make all things new..." (Rev. 21:1) I smiled and said a prayer of thanks to Him for making me new today. And even on the days when I am so tired and worn-down that I can barely stand at the bathroom counter to put on my makeup, even on those days, He makes me new. Over and over again, so that each day I have to ask Him for strength and grace to keep going, keep smiling, and keep learning.

I think that is so beautiful :)

Prevalent moral filth

Sometimes it is the hardest thing to be seen as the "odd one out." situations that come to mind are when so many of my friends and people I love are indulging themselves in moral filth (whatever it may be) and I opt out because of my Christian morals. Im sure a situation like this comes to mind for you when you were seen as the "goodie-two shoes."

Please, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to sound self-righteous and compare myself to others. I myself am full of filth...Im only making a point with my example.

Sometimes it is SO hard to not jump right along side those people and give into the "sexy" lifestyle, the parties full of drunkenness, the sick humor, or whatever.....its evil.

"Humbly accept the word planed in you. "

What does this mean for me?...especially in those situations! It means not joining those who are for whatever reason sinning willingly. I stop to think....ok, what are the reasons for indulging in this moral filth? Popularity with the world?? to be "cool," "sexy," or just "accepted" by the world???

HUMBLE!

God's word says these things are filthy, lies, not lasting, and ungodly.

These filthy things should be so irrelevant to me when it comes to my faith! Sometimes they're not and so "PLEASE GOD! Give me a humble spirit! One that says I only need YOU! and NOTHING else.

And when I forget and stumble....again....open your everlasting, loving arms to me. Carry me and strengthen me.

Amen."