Wisdom for Living Archives - Page 3 of 3

“Mid Terms”

Date: 10-19-14

Text: — James 3:5-6 — ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: The test is designed to see not only how well we have understood the material, but if we can apply the knowledge we have obtained.

My Thoughts:

If we go too long before we are tested, the knowledge we have obtained may slip away: The old, “Use it, or lose” Proposition. Thus, there are midterms in some of our classes. Yes, there are still daily pop quizzes, but the midterm tests how well the accumulated knowledge has be understood….

Lifestyle Worshipers, our midterms—as with the daily pop quizzes—are designed more as a practicum, much like being in a science lab or a gym glass. The test is designed to see not only how well we have understood the material, but if we can apply the knowledge we have obtained. We are now a little over half way through our annual Prayer & Fast Month. Because this year we have coupled this with the Heartwork devotions, I am curious as to how it is going. Several of you have shared with me about your fasting, and a few have talked about the Heartwork devotions. I know a couple of you who are using less technology and even walking places—and not just for health reasons!

So then, let us spur one another on by sharing how this has been going. I know for me, I am amazed at how the Heartwork Devotions are dovetailing with the passages in James I am presenting. Further, my fasting is offering me opportunities to really stop and ponder what I am doing and why I am doing it. I have made some changes, but I’m sure many more are in the wings. How about you? How would you respond to such a midterm? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

— Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV84)

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?

— Matthew 5:43-46 (NIV84)

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

— 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, I ask You to fill me with the Holy Spirit , the Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound Mind. May He honor the Lord Jesus Christ in everything I think, say and do. As He continues to transform my mind to be more like Jesus, may I act on His promptings and so bring glory to Your Name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“A Big Influence”

Date: 10-18-14

The Big Idea: Our tongues have a big influence on others, whether they hear it or not.

My Thoughts:

Our tongues have a big influence on others, whether they hear it or not. You know this. I’m not saying anything new. Further, James calls attention to the perplexing reality of the duplicity of this influence. And he asks us some sharply clarifying questions in vv. 11 & 12….

Lifestyle Worshipers, today’s Heartwork’s ‘homework’ is to make a list of the gifts, blessings, and/or skills the Lord has given us. To me, a part of this homework is using the gift of our tongues skillfully to bless others. So, to add to our homework today, let us go out of our way to make sure fresh water and delicious figs flow from our mouths that also praise our Lord for these wonderful gifts. We may never know how big an influence our tongues really have, but when we bless both the Creator & His creations, we will know it will be refreshing…. Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

— Proverbs 15:4 (NIV84)

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

— Matthew 12:35-37 (ESV)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

— Proverbs 18:21 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, forgive me for blessing You while speaking ill of others. I have grievously sinned against You. I ask the Great Shepherd of my soul, the Lord Jesus Christ, by His shed blood to cleanse me from this unrighteousness. Create in me a pure heart so that I may walk in the Light as He is in the Light. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to only speak wholesome words of others while continuing to bless You from a cleansed heart . In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Heavenly Wisdom’s Harvest”

Date: 9-27-14

Text: James 3:17-18 ¹⁷ But 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. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Heavenly Wisdom promises a harvest of righteousness.

My Thoughts:

Heavenly Wisdom promises a harvest of righteousness. While the “wisdom from below” produces chaos and discord (and a lot of noise), this heavenly Wisdom produces righteousness & peace. I pray this a lot. As I pray to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as my Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, I pray that we are peacemakers who sow in peace raising a harvest of righteousness and thus become known as His children….

Lifestyle worshipers, do think that the planting process is tightly connected to the harvest? In other words, can seeds be sown in anger and malice still produce righteousness? If not, then why do are we surprised when we reap the consequences of our angry actions?

I see a connection between this passage above and James’ comments in 1:19-20: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” Do you? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

— Proverbs 29:11 (NIV84)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

— Matthew 5:9 (NIV84)

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

— James 1:21 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, I put You on as my Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Make me an instrument of Your Presence to bring healing and not harm. Transform me into a peacemaker so that I may sow in peace and raise a harvest of righteousness. Then I will be known as one of Your Father’s children. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Heavenly Wisdom’s Peace”

Date: 9-25-14

Text: James 3:17-18 — ¹⁷ But 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. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: This heavenly wisdom is so other worldly it is truly hard for us to get a handle on it.

My Thoughts:

While the “wisdom from below” brings chaos and discord (accompanied by a lot of brash noise), the “wisdom from above” brings a pure, undefiled peace that yields righteousness. This heavenly wisdom is so other worldly it is truly hard for us to get a handle on it. Oh, we may taste it, even sip it, but do we fully appreciate this heavenly wisdom’s peace?

Lifestyle worshipers, you remember that our Lord Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives…” (John 14:27a) This is the peace that surpasses all understand (Phil. 4:7). Do you think that the heavenly wisdom that brings this transcendent peace is also beyond us? If so, how do we appropriate the heavenly traits of this heavenly wisdom noted in James 3:17 above? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. — Proverbs 29:11 (NIV84)

But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

— Luke 6:27-28 (NIV84)

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.

— John 7:38 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, as You become my heavenly Wisdom, transform my mind to mirror these heavenly traits and fill my soul with Your surpassing Peace. You are my Prince of Peace! Bless Your Holy Name. Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Cunning Wisdom Poisons”

Date: 9-24-14

Text: James 3:14-16 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Cunning wisdom spawns from a heart that is poisoned with bitter envy and selfish ambition.

My Thoughts:

I have chosen the word, ‘cunning,’ to identify this sort of ‘wisdom’ because it spawns from a heart that is poisoned with bitter envy and selfish ambition. Perhaps not all of the world’s wisdom is such—I don’t want to paint it with too broad a brush…. But ‘cunning’ is the particular word I would use because the actions spawned from such have an appearance of wisdom, but underneath is viperous poison, maneuvering and manipulating for deeply selfish ends….

Lifestyle worshipers, have you seen this sort of ‘wisdom’ in the church, too? People bitterly envious of others who got the ‘spotlight’ or the position they didn’t? Or others who power played an issue just to get their own way? Sadly, I have, and I have also noticed like Pigpen of the Peanuts fame, a cloud of chaos seems to follow them wherever they go. Have you found this to be so, too?

Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

— Proverbs 26:24-26 (NIV84)

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”

— Matthew 7:15-16 (NIV84)

Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away.

— Ezekiel 34:20-21 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, be Wisdom in me as I respond in Love to those who are poisoned with bitter envy and selfish ambition. In Your Name Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Practicing What He Preached”

Date: 9-2-14

Text: James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: James uses a word that represents the lowest of the lowest slave: doulos.

My Thoughts:

As you read through the book of James, can you sense his humility? He could have started off his book with, “James, the Oldest brother of our Lord Jesus and my older brother…,” but he doesn’t. Instead, he uses a word that represents the lowest of the lowest slave: doulos. Now, in the Christian community we have given this word a much ‘greater’ meaning. This is because of what our Lord said about this in Matthew 23:1: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” He chose a word that represents a position lower than the word for servant here….

What does this mean for us, Lifestyle worshipers? I see at least one lesson: James practiced what he preached. He exhorts his fellow believers to not take pride in our high position (James 1:9) and not to show favoritism (2:1). In his case, do not give him any adulation for being the brother of our Lord Jesus. None. And in this lesson, I take comfort that it doesn’t matter what position or title I carry in the Christian community, I am still but a doulos of the Lord Jesus Christ, washing the feet of the saints and shining the spot light on the Master, who alone is worthy.

What lessons from James do you see in this ‘title’ of doulos?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.— Matthew 24:45-46 (NIV84)

And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

— 2 Timothy 2:24 (NIV84)

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. — Romans 12:10 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, be my gloves of Kindness and my Socks of Gentleness as I serve my brothers and sisters in humility and Love. In Your Name Amen.

Pastor Mike