NOVEMBER 21, 2023

  "Cause if you never leave home, never let go

  You'll never make it to the great unknown till you Keep your eyes open, my love

So show me your fire, show me your heart

You know I'll never let you fall apart if you

Keep your eyes open, my love..."
-NEEDTOBREATHE

EZEKIEL 24-26

19“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths over you and its vast waters cover you, 20then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place^c in the land of the living. 21I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (26:19-21) 

JAMES 3

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

JOURNAL 

Today is a new day. It is pure, unlived and full of possibilities. Today is a gift, yet what will determine my actions and responses to the circumstances that unfold? If my reactions are based on hurts from the past, worry over the future, selfish ambition etc. Then my "wisdom" is flawed...James says that kind of "wisdom" is evil. Yet if I receive my wisdom from God, if my direction and responses are rooted in heaven, then I will reap a "harvest of righteousness". 

That is why the Bible is key to living a life that reflects God's love. It is important to remember that when these words were written the world was in a very dire predicament. Christians were being tortured and killed just for sport, political influence of believers was laughable and yet God wasn't wringing his hands or raining down fire and brimstone. It is important to remember because these are the words we are to live by regardless of our circumstances. Whether in goods times or bad, wealth or poverty, sickness or health...

When I really reflect on these verses in James the message could not be more clear.  16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Isn't that the purpose anyway...to "reap righteousness"...to have my life and my responses reflect the love of God? It is often so clear when I read, reflect and write. It is only when my thoughts turn inward, when fear and the noise of the world move my focus away from God and Christ that I lose this wisdom...I lose this peace. Father I pray that my focus stays on you, and your power and love. Keep my eyes open and rooted in you. Let my life today be a light rather than another source of panic, hatred and fear. 

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

HEBREWS 12:1-3