James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
Dear God,
You are my Rock, and I thank You for hearing my prayers, and taking me to a more peaceful place, as well as enabling me to do what I would not do. Psalm 57: 1 – 3 “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. I will cry our to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Sella. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.”
Today I am very tired, please be my strength and wisdom to do the essential tasks of the day, as well as fit in making a blouse to go with the very fancy skirt I have made for one of the children in my life.
I appreciate the words of James, who has good lessons for me (all) on Christian living, such as in the commencing text. How easy it is to do the right things outwardly at church and look very religious, and yet indulge in a bad temper, grumpiness, unkind words, etc., to name just a few of the possible use of my (our) mouth and words. It is worthy for me to note, that when I (we) indulge in such activities, we deceive ourselves, about how close we are to Jesus.
I believe this shows we have the wrong spirit within when we wound another in any way; for this has never been the way of Christ. Father I know my words have not always revealed Your love and uplifted the other person I have spoken to or about. Please forgive and strengthen me in overcoming any tendency to have an unbridled tongue.
I know also, that my Christian experience is not to be based on outward appearances, or following traditions, or just going to church by habit, and/or looking good once per week. I also read in James, that I am to have Your love in my heart, and care about all Your people of every colour and country, whether or not they are prestigious, or the unfortunate, forgotten or the spurned and out cast. It is so good to know that because of Your love toward me, and mine toward You, I will naturally listen to Your voice, and not be able to refrain from caring about the physical and spiritual well-being of others. Then in Your strength and wisdom, I will offer the help I am able to give, James 1: 27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble, and keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
If there are ‘orphans and widows’ in my vicinity that I have not yet discerned, please show me their needs, and Your desired actions from me; and give me the heart to be Your representative.
Amen