James Chapter 3

I’m back with the next chapter in my James bible study series.  I want to make a point real quick that I am not speaking from a point of mastery, but one of revelation as I’m reading this still trying to gain authority in these areas.  In other words, I’m not typing these words as if I’ve got everything figured out.  That is why I’m thankful for grace and mercy J

The title of this chapter is controlling the tongue.  I seek help in this area DAILY!  Here are a few really great verses to digest:

James 3: 4-6  Consider ships:  though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.  Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.  And the tongue is a fire…

James 3: 9-10 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

Yea, these are pretty convicting verses.  The bible tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue.  Think about that!  The words your tongue forms are literally bringing life or death to your environment.  We have a saying in our house with our kids when asking them to think about the words they are choosing.  We simply ask them, are you speaking light or darkness right now?  Their childlike faith allows them to grasp the fact that they are either bringing Jesus’ kingdom or the devil’s kingdom with the words they are choosing. 

Whenever I am in one of my “moods” (my husband can fill you in on the details), I can often trace the blahness back to the environment that I’ve created with my thoughts which usually translate into words that don’t need to be said (that’s why renewing your mind is so important…but I don’t want to get too far off track here).  Like the above verse says, your words steer the ship, they fan the flame, they set the tone, they control the entire body in the way of blessing or cursing.  The hardest one for me personally?!?!  Controlling my tongue when someone is really on my last nerve.  God, you can’t possibly mean to speak blessing on that person?!?  Are you sure you made that person in your likeness?  Oh fine, go on a be blessed Mr. Don’t-look-back-because-I’m-sticking-my-tongue-out-at-you.  I’m still working on this one.

I think God wants us to first and foremost grasp the power our words have; no matter how insignificant the conversation might seem.  This goes for ALL words, words when you’re talking to yourself, talking to a friend, talking to God, talking to an enemy, talking to your boss, and on and on…Everything in God’s kingdom carries so much power.  Words are no exception!

I’m Wanted

I have a stalker.  One who lurks around my home with her needy eyes and spots my every move.  If I move too far out of her vision, my stalker will take a new position so I am in view.  If a new position cannot be assumed, wailing ensues.  I’m describing the plight of my 9 month old.  She is obsessed with me.  I know, what’s not to love?!?  In any other context (i.e. not a cute baby) this obsession would be downright freaky.  She can’t get enough of me.  Her piercing blue eyes know three views in her short lived life; sparkling and happy in mommy’s presence, bug eyed and worried at the possibility of mommy being gone and drenched in tears with the realization that mommy is in fact gone. 

I wish I could say that this is just the normal separation anxiety phase of her young life, but this is no phase.  This is how Miss Kya has been from day 1.  This is one of the many reasons I am so grateful that I am able to stay home with this sweet baby and be with her all day.  She had to do daycare for a few months when I initially returned to work and it was torture for all of us.  She screamed the ENTIRE day!  I often had a few tears as well.  I know she won’t be like this forever.  It’s sweet to be someone’s entire world.  Even the days when I need a little breather, I still appreciate the fact that I am her mom and her intense love is based on that simple fact.  I’ll remind her of this in about 13 years when her eyes take to a new view of rolling in the back of her head because I am so embarrassing.   

James, Chapter 2

And so I continue my bible study from the book of James.  This book is so rich.  Go read it!  Here are a few verses that popped at me as I read this chapter.

James 2:  12-13 “Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of FREEDOM.  For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn’t shown mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment. “  (emphasis mine)

To me, these verses pretty much sum up what life should look like as a follower of Jesus.  The key word in these verses is freedom.  Once you truly grasp the love of the Father and the freedom over your life because of His mercy, you can’t help but extend mercy with your speech and actions towards others.  Not because you fear the stern judgment of God, but because you love His never ending mercy and want others to grasp this mind boggling freedom.  Christ’s freedom is so great that it’s not about fearing your inevitable sin.  It’s about HATING evil and loving mercy and righteousness.  God looks at us through the eyes of mercy.  If you view God as a disappointed dad waiting to punish your next mistake (i.e.  I’d better fear a lightning bolt because I didn’t go to church this week) then you’re living in a false kingdom reality.  You’ve conformed God to your own image and haven’t yet grasped His goodness.  Want to know how you change that?!?  Just ask Him to reveal His true character to you.  Seek and you will find…