Today’s Scripture: James 1:17, NKJV- “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
God is perfect in His gifts and His timing. It is amazing how often my morning readings coincide specifically with conversations and thoughts I have just had with others. I chuckle and shake my head many times as I realize how closely God’s Word relates to our daily lives.
I can also return to some previous writings, and I cannot relate to them at all. God meets us in our moments and these perfect gifts are from the Father of lights. I am thankful for the lights of God. They connect with us and direct us. They also highlight things we need to turn over to Him.
James 1:21, NKJV states “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Each time we return to the LORD He plants His Word in us, perfectly it seems. Perfect in His timing and His purpose.
James 1:22, makes it clear that we are receiving these words for the purpose of doing something with them. James says we are deceiving ourselves if we think simply hearing the word is enough. God brought us to this Word and highlighted it for a reason. We are to do something with them. We find blessings when we do what the Word instructs.
James 1:26 cautions us to be careful of our tongue. The following verses warn us of being contaminated by the world and against showing favoritism. Whether someone can do anything for us or not, we should treat all others equally. In James 2:25 James reminds us that even Rahab the prostitute was considered righteous when she helped the spies. We must be careful not to speak judgment but allow God to direct and judge the heart.
The riches of God are contrary to the riches of the world. We can be rich in faith and love. We must love our neighbors as ourselves, rich or poor. As stated in James 2:10, if we are guilty of breaking one point, we are guilty of breaking all. The point is that we are all guilty. James reminds us to do good deeds and works. The famous verse from James 2:17 still proves true today, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (NKJV)
As James 2:18 states we can show our faith by our deeds. We do not need to only talk of our faith but do it. In James 2:20 we are asked if we know “faith without works is dead?” Our faith is made complete by what we do. God nudges us and we just need to do what we know is right. This puts our faith to work. We do not have to go looking for our work, like His Word, God puts it in front of us and shines a light upon it. Will we, do it?
Today’s Prayer: Father of Heavenly lights, thank You for shining Your gifts down upon us. We are rich in Your love. Grant us generous hearts and hands to give away your love to all our neighbors. Help us to show our faith by our deeds to a bankrupt world. Keep us from contamination of the world yet use us as instruments of Your light. Shine through us today LORD so we may share Your love to all others. Amen
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