Wisdom from above is first pure

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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. James 3:17-18

pure

peace loving

considerate

submissive

full of mercy and good fruit

impartial and sincere

Jesus showed how to live these out.  Wisdom that comes from heaven. 

Jesus came from heaven and modeled these for us.

Pure- He was the sinless, spotless lamb.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

 The sacrifice was to be a young lamb, depicting innocence.                           It was to be pure.

The verse states, "first pure".  It is the most important thing! There is no wisdom without this. 

How pure is your life? What things are contaminating your witness?  

Looking through the lens of purity how pure is your:

language

television viewing

thoughts

actions

Spotless Lamb of God, I confess to you that I can not do it alone.  My sins are too great to atone for. Your word says that you will wash me and make me white as snow. Cleanse me and surely I will be clean. Today I ask for your guidance to change my language, thoughts and actions. May my life Reflect your purity.

Jann

Live and on the big screen

Image by Sparticus via Flickr

Live and on the big screen.  There for everyone to see an hear was my face and my voice and what was I thinking?  My hair looks terrible!

For the first time in my life, a message that I was going to give to our women's bible study group was going to be videotaped. I stood there and gave the message to a camera.  One would think that this isn't so hard!  When I speak I like the connection between the audience and myself.  It gives me energy.  There I stood giving the talk to an empty sanctuary.  When it was finished, I was sure that I made a fool out of myself.  Clearly I was out of my element. I was convinced of this. At least I didn't have to watch it. I wouldn't be there in the morning when it was showing.

Tonight I went to the evening study and was prepared to give the message live. When I arrived they asked if we could show the video instead.  So there I stood watching myself LIVE and on the big screen.  How awkward  to see myself, to hear myself!  Once I got over the shock of thinking, "Do I really look like that? Sound like that?" I was able to focus.

I listened to the message that was being given by myself.  It is amazing that no matter who declares the Word of the Lord, it is truth and it is good!  I was taught by myself as I shared from James 3:17. The wisdom from above is ......

It is true God can use anybody to teach us, to inspire us to make us understand His truths. Even if it is Live and on the big screen or even you teaching you.

Father,

You have taken me to places that I was too scared to imagine and too afraid to try on my own.  Thank you for using your word to teach me ove and over again.  Continue to make me teachable and useable for your Kingdom and for your Glory.

Jann

God's ways are better.

God gives each of us gifts.  Corinthians tells us that each one of us has been gifted.  These gifts come in many shapes and sizes.  Our gifts will grow and mature.  Sometimes they are very prominent and other times they take a secondary role to other gifts.  This year I have been learning that these gifts are given to me from the Father and they have been given to me on loan. I have been entrusted to keep them for the Lord and I must ask Him before I push ahead and use them. 
Does that seem odd to you?  It does to me.  This is a new concept to me. 

To drive this lesson home, recently my husband and I went on a pre-trip to Costa Rica. We were looking at possible missions locations.  I was a little sad because I was only going to be able to be there a short time and would not be able to teach at a women's conference that would be held after I had left. Teaching is a gift that I love to use. We met our team at the airport  and I was happy to see that there was a woman in the midst of the 8 men that were going.  Sonya seemed excited and friendly as I introduced myself.  Later in the airport as we waited for our flight, I noticed Sonya concentrating intently on some paper.  I knew what it was.  It was her message for the women's conference.  I was soooooo sad.  I wished that I too could be pouring over my notes.  Sonya stood up and came over to me.  "Will you look at this? I need someones opinion on this."  I was excited and amazed.  The Lord was giving me an opportunity to use my teaching gift in another manner.

God is so Good.

Things may not be as we want or hope. 
God's plans are better than ours. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Is 55:8

I need to trust that more.

Father, Thank you for being bigger, smarter, kinder than me!  Your ways are so different than mine.  Help me to wait and remember that your ways are so much better than what I had planned.

God is closer than He may appear!

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

I heard in my heart and mind this morning God calling to me. "I am here!"


Don't think that I am crazy; I did not here an audible voice but His unmistakable loving voice that beckoned me to be close. His loving whisper of an invitation to be with him to learn from Him to be embraced by Him.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did. Psalm 95


This passage goes on to say that their hearts went astray from the Lord and that for 40 years God was angry with them and they missed out on God's rest.


Imagine how much they missed out on because they did not listen to His voice.


God calls to us still!

Come to me.

When you are;

weary and wanting

tired and tense

lonely and leery

frustrated and fearful

gloomy and gutless

joyful and jumping

loving and listening

peaceful and patient

hungry and healing

Just come and learn from him!

He is closer than you think!

Father,

Thank you for your pursuing Love! It amazes me the creator of all, the sustainer of life, the Great I Am would come close to love us, beckon us to come and learn from you and to be loved by you. Tune my ear to hear your voice and to never miss out on time with you. Oh how I love to hear you gentle call, "come child". I love you.

Jann