Good morning! Today is Friday and we are continuing our reading in the book of James chapter three. This week our tongue/speech, thoughts, wisdom with humility, and today we will read about wisdom with grace. Join me as we take in more information to grow in spiritual maturity. Have a wonderful day and weekend.

Bible Verse – James 3:14 – 16 NLT

“¹⁴ But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. ¹⁵ For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.  ¹⁶ For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.”

Reflection

As James continued to guide the twelve tribes who were scattered/believers and us in what our character should be or should be becoming as believers, he now challenges us to seek wisdom to act graciously and to be giving.

He reminds use that jealousy is not from God. If we are to seek godly wisdom, we learn to recognize that true wisdom does not give way to thoughts of bitter envy or selfish ambition. As believers those thoughts and actions should pass through the filter of truth – God’s truth which produces power, love and self discipline.

Envy and discord are red flags that those thoughts and/or actions are not from God, but are from Satan the ruler of lies and confusion. Sisters and brothers, let us be wise Christians who seek to glorify God by being gracious to others and to give wisely.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for loving us as we continue to mature as Christian believers. Lord, sometimes worldly things try to rule our thoughts and actions, but we are so grateful for Your Word that always leads us back to Your truth. Thank you for the times when have course corrected us in the areas of envy, selfish ambition, chaos, and confusion. Lord, we don’t want to live in that space. Lord, we want to live in the peace that you provide. Lord, equip us with the wisdom to recognize when Satan makes attempts to breed lies and discontentment in our hearts, thoughts, and actions. Lord, help us to walk away or not involve ourselves in chaos and destructive conflict. Help us to know the difference between when you call us to step in or to step away, and be at peace with either of those conclusions. Lord, heal our hearts from the times when we have been used by others for their own selfish ambitions. Lord, help us to forgive and be wise enough in the future to seek your wisdom in those situations. Lord, soften our hearts to care and bring glory to Your name.

Lord, we pray for the woman navigating being a caregiver for her parents. Lord, give her strength, peace, and wisdom about how to care for them while caring for herself. Help her to be wise in the decisions she must make. Lord, we continue to pray for healing for those who are still recovering from surgery (e.g., cancer, shoulder, nose, kidney, leg, vein, stomach, breast, brain, etc.). Lord, comfort the family whose mother is still in a coma. Lord, be with those who have chronic illnesses and need relief. Lord, help them through the day, relieve them of their pain or discomfort, and help them to sleep well at night.

Lord, watch over everyone as they leave their homes and go to work, school, appointments, etc. Lord, keep them safe and return them home without incident. Lord, cover all the children and shield them from harm.

Continue to spread Your truth in a world full of lies. Continue to remind us of Your truth and help us to live by it. Remind us of what Your word says about us and suit us in Your armor so that we can stand against the plots/schemes and lies of the enemy. Go before us today and make our paths straight.

In Jesus name we pray, amen!

——- 

PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2017-2030 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.