Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
January 28, 2022
Read James 3:9-18
9 With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn’t be this way! 11 Both fresh water and salt water don’t come from the same spring, do they? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? Of course not, and fresh water doesn’t flow from a saltwater spring either. 13 Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom. 14 However, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, then stop bragging and living in ways that deny the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is from the earth, natural and demonic. 16 Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and everything that is evil. 17 What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine. 18 Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts.
Good Morning! Let God’s love shine through you today!
Wisdom is a much sought-after virtue, but we must take time to distinguish between earthly wisdom and God’s wisdom. Many of Jesus’ teachings contrasted earthly virtues versus Godly virtues. Those earthly leaders had long touted the need for earthly power and wisdom. They worked to ensure that they were the ones with the greatest power which for them meant they also had wisdom on their side those “wise” scholars were part of their inner circle.
God’s ways are not our ways. Jesus came to show the world God’s power and wisdom. His teachings were radical and not well-received by the leaders who had settled themselves into a “good” life. Those leaders loved their power and possessions and would be opposition to anyone who threatened their perceived importance. Their understanding of power was filled with jealousy and selfish ambition, and as we read in our passage from Peter, this power was filled with chaos and evil.
Jesus’ teachings of God’s power and wisdom were 180 degrees from the earthly understanding and the earthly leaders felt threatened. They were so blinded by their own ambition that they could not see that Jesus’ had no plan to be an earthly ruler, so they devised a plan to eliminate their perceived threat. Of course, they were simply actors fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.
First, God is love! 17What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine. 18 Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts.
We are called to be God’s messengers of the Good News of faith, hope, and peace. We never know who’s life will be changed forever when shown mercy and love. Let God’s light shine through you. We are the beacons of hope in a dark and dreary world.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. Our world is filled with jealousy and selfish ambition. It is so hard to not get swept away by the need for these earthly treasures. Only through your strength can we accept your ways and become the light for someone in need. Help us! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will speak words of hope by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Let God’s love shine through you! Pastor Liz
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