Dana Hagstrom – Page 434

James 5:1-6 – Are You Rich?

Are you rich? Depending on the definition of rich, I could answer that both yes and no. Compared to the majority of the world, living in poverty in developing nations, I am rich. Compared to those living in penthouses, gated communities, owning their own yachts and jets, I am poor.

The “things” of earth will pass away in the end. My treasure is in the hope of heaven.

I get the impression from this passage that the writer was not rich. This is a warning to those who have plenty that they be careful not to allow their possessions to take control. These same possessions will not last forever and will rot away. We should not be relying on these “things” for our happiness.

The warning seems to also speak to actions. Not every rich person is selfish or malicious. Many wealthy people are very wise with their money and giving to the poor and needy. This warning is not for them. There is an assumption here that with wealth comes abusiveness. As people make money, they become ruthless, wanting more and more, and at what expense of others. Do others get trampled or used in the process?

It is not sinful to be wealthy. What is sinful is how we use our wealth and our attitudes about money. One of the most talked about topics in the Bible is…money. I’ve heard differing opinions, 800 times, 2000 verses. I’ve found an interesting article about it. You can read it here.

Suffice it to say, money is not evil, it is how we think about it. We should NEVER worship it or put it before God. We should always trust God for provision. God’s economy works differently than ours, but it is the one we can trust. We’re not all destined to live in luxury. That’s okay. Whatever our station in life, we need to be grateful and work on multiplying the love in our hearts.

When money is plentiful, we need to be wise stewards in how we save and spend. This behavior honors God. A selfish heart will not be rewarded in heaven. A grateful heart reminds us that God is the Giver of all good gifts. We were never intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life. A grateful heart reminds us that ultimately God is our Provider, that all blessings and gifts are graciously given to us by His hand.

Let’s pray. Father forgive me for my selfish desires that only benefit me. I trust you in everything, especially the provision of my daily needs. With the wealth you have blessed me with, may I in turn bless others. I long to be more giving to those in need. May I never have an entitlement attitude or one that looks down on others. People do struggle with their finances, and pray for opportunities to help those people find the right solution. Bless our business, Lord, so that we can provide a source of hope, founded on you, to those in need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 4:13-17 – Say What?

Read James 4:13-17

This passage fits nicely with the one about taming our tongue. We need to be careful what we say and how we say it. Here we are being reminded of letting pride take over and not being mindful of God, the one who is truly in charge.

We should above all else trust God for his leading in our lives. While it is good to make plans, it is imperative that these plans are in God’s will for us. Each time we recite the Lord’s prayer, we ask, “Thy will be done”. Don’t let these words be just words.

I don’t know about you, but over the years I have had many a good idea and forged ahead to make it happen. I’m sure there were times when I didn’t consult God for his wisdom and stamp of approval first. Not surprising, those are the plans that failed or backfired. They certainly didn’t turn out like I had hoped or planned.

Why is it so easy for us to try to take matters into our own hands? Why do we often forget the crucial piece – a conversation with God?

I’ve seen it happen in churches, too. When we try to force our agendas, programs never seem to get off the ground, much less thrive. On the other hand, when we seek God’s wisdom in the planning process and all agree that it’s God’s will, planning and implementation seem to fall into place without a hitch.

The verse that should really hit home for us here is verse 17. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” We should be intentional in asking God to reveal his will for us. We should keep our minds and hearts open for his response, especially if it isn’t what we want to hear. And, we should be ready to jump and act on what God wants us to do. This is a sin we can control. We can act in the way God wants and avoid sin.

Remember, God will never ask us to do something that is harmful or bad. God’s plans are for good. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” I don’t know about you, but I rest in the joy and hope this verse provides.

Let’s pray. Father God, thank you for your daily provision. As I reflect on the choices I have made in my life I can clearly see the ones you would not have had me make. But thank you, Lord, for making beauty out of my mess. Thank you for lifting me out of despair and loving me despite my wrong choices. I ask for your forgiveness continually for those offenses, yet I know you have long since forgiven me. My heart sings to know that you have redeemed me. I look to you now for each decision, no matter how small. Thank you that you are using me in new ways each day. I don’t want another minute to go by that I am not living deep within your will for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 4:1-12 – Wrong Motives

Read James 4:1-12

“Looking for love in all the wrong places.” I don’t know why that lyric came to mind from a song I heard many years ago. I’ll lead with that today. Wrong motives keep us stuck, too. God is the true source of love, we need to be looking to him, submitting to his will for us!

I liked the wisdom of this passage that points the finger back at us. What causes quarrels, disagreements, misunderstandings? We do, and our wrong motives. We are so often being led around by our selfish desires that we get stuck in a cycle of hurt. Hurt to ourselves and hurt to others.

Do we want it that way? Probably not, but we seem to be stuck just the same. How many times have you been in a friend’s home, looked around and saw something you wished you had? Maybe it was a physical thing, maybe it was how neat and organized everything appeared, or maybe it was just the vibe of contentment you sensed. Whatever the case, you wanted something you hadn’t yet attained. The Bible calls that coveting, and it’s a big no-no.

We wonder why our prayers don’t get answered. If our hearts are basking in these wrong motives, we are most likely asking God the wrong way, for the wrong reasons. God isn’t about to say yes to our requests if our desires are not pure.

We need to humble ourselves before the Lord. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” I picture myself emptying myself in the presence of God. I pull all of the evil from my heart and lay it down. All of the junk, lies I’ve told myself about my worth, I lay it down. I’ve got quite a pile in front of me when I am truly honest with myself. When I have emptied myself of me and my faults, false truths, and evil desires, I am clean, humble before the Lord. We should do it daily.

One of our children’s Confirmation Bible verse was James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” I have always thought that to be a profound and beautiful picture of getting rid of the junk inside. There is such freedom when we submit to God, yet so often we hold on to our own selfish ambitions. Do you do that, too?

If we successfully rid ourselves of what is holding us back, God’s promises to us are so worth it. “Come near to God and he will come near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” I don’t know about you, but that’s what I want to aspire to – having God near me, to be lifted up in his presence.

Let’s pray. Father God, I bow before you today and ask that you help me empty myself. I want to make room for you to live inside me. Lift me up so I can stand proudly and proclaim your name. Your perfect plan is waiting for me, and I want to humble myself before you to claim it. Help me to let go of what is holding me back. I want to step boldly into the world with you by my side, Lord. Thank you for all of the blessings you have given me. I want to live with a grateful and humble heart, unafraid to declare that you are my God, my creator and friend. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 3:13-18 – Where Does Your Wisdom Come From?

Read James 3:13-18

You may have heard the Book of James referred to as the New Testament Proverbs. Certainly it is not just a set of ideas and thoughts but rather a congruent teaching designed mainly for the teachers of the day, but certainly applicable to all. It speaks to us today even louder than ever.

Today we talk about wisdom. Two kinds of wisdom. Wisdom that is of the world, that is demonic and evil, and the other, good kind, that is from God. So many people are concerned today with social justice and political correctness. At what cost? There seems to be such a sway away from what the Bible teaches. Bible scholars are aghast at the trends we see taking over society and how words of the Bible are twisted to fit people’s evil desires.

James was seeing the same thing and wanted to get things straightened out. He was starting with the teachers, I suppose hoping he could get an army of educators on the right page. He wanted to end selfish ambition and return people to God.

God’s word brings peace to those who listen. God’s wisdom is full of grace and gentleness, both great attributes for people in dealing with others. The “other” wisdom will bring division and jealousy because it is not considerate and giving, only self serving and full of disorder.

So what do we do about it today? How can we change the direction people think and follow?

Have you heard of the starfish story? It’s where they find so many starfish washed up on the beach waiting to die because they are separated from their lifesource–the water. One by one, a young person begins taking the starfish back to the water. When asked what they were doing, how could they possibly begin to save them all. The reply came, “I made a difference for this one.”

That’s what James was trying to do and what we should be trying to do as well. For those lost in their evil thoughts and motives, we need to bring light and truth. With gentleness and grace we need to be the example of true wisdom and let everything that comes from our mouth be helpful and full of God’s love.

Verse 13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Let’s pray. Father God, I am saddened by this world’s lack of focus on you and your truth. Godly wisdom is what I seek. I want to be so full of you and your wisdom that people can’t help but see and notice my gentleness, my grace, my peace and my sincerity. I want to be a full reflection of you. Let my words and deeds be the example needed to set your people free from the bondage of evil desires. Work in their hearts to feel the uncomfortable separation from you. Make their yearning for a relationship stronger than ever so that they will be open to looking for you in places they haven’t looked before. May the sermon of my life speak louder than my words ever could. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 3:1-12 – Watch Your Mouth!

Read James 3:1-12

Did you ever have your mouth washed out with soap when you were a child? I don’t think it’s a practice many still take part in these days, but I remember the taste of “Safeguard” bar soap very well. I think for my kids it was “Dial” liquid soap.

These days are also rampant with accounts of bullying and the negative effects that result.

We must really be careful what comes out of our mouths. Verse 6 says, “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” There is power in the tongue!

How do we tame our tongue? It’s not easy. Once something passes our lips, it’s all over. We can’t take it back. Not even saying “I’m sorry” can truly take away the hurt, shame, or guilt that may ensue.

So what should come out of our mouths? Ephesians 4:29 says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Another good passage is Colossians 4:6, “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

Take a moment to let those two verses speak to your heart.

When we praise our Father, our mouth does what it is meant to do! We were designed to worship our Father, the creator of the universe. When joyful praise crosses our lips, our heart also sings, our spirits are lifted and it is something we can all do together. Harmony of spirit gives us life! We are at last giving pleasure to God.

Can you have a more thankful heart? Can you sing praise more regularly?

Let’s pray. Father, please forgive me for the hurtful things that come out of my mouth. As soon as the words out come, I realize they are negative and not helpful. Cleanse my heart and mind so that only thoughts that are uplifting and good fill my head. Help me be a light to others, reflecting your goodness and mercy. May praise always be on my lips for you great and worthy to be praised. In Jesus’ name. Amen.